Especially now at Christmas, everyone should remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to call people to peace, said the Greek Orthodox priest. According to the United Nations, more than 700 ...

The yearly Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem — shared among Armenian, Catholic, and Orthodox denominations — are usually major boons for the city, where tourism accounts for 70% of its ...

Greek Orthodox Priest Issa Thaljieh says this has not been a joyful Christmas in Bethlehem. "Bethlehem today is very sad. For me, it’s important to focus on the prayers and the religious rituals ...

Outside the Church of the Nativity, Greek Orthodox priest Issa Thaljieh said Bethlehem was “grieving ... hoped to reopen his local businesses for Christmas this year after closing them ...

Orthodox Christmas began to be celebrated on January ... of Soviet-style New Year customs and traditions. The star of Bethlehem was replaced by a five-pointed red star and Christmas figures ...

Because some Orthodox church jurisdictions follow the “old calendar,” or Julian Calendar, which honors Christmas in January, and some the “new calendar,” which slates it for Dec. 25 ...

a procession is held where people dress in traditional clothes and carry replicas of the star of Bethlehem. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also celebrates Christmas on 7 January. People dress in ...