On 27th December, the religious communities of the different Christian rites (and in particular those that collaborate under the Status Quo) met to exchange Christmas greetings according to a now consolidated tradition, which is also a cordial and brotherly exercise in ecumenism. In the morning, the delegations of the Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Ethiopian churches came to St. Saviour’s Convent, where they were received in the Divan Hall by Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of the Holy Land, and the fraternity of St. Saviour, led by the Guardian, Father Artemio Vitores.
The meeting takes place according to a fixed ceremony which is repeated on every visit: the head of the guest delegation greets the host and the community, thanks them for the invitation and wishes them a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the future, confirming their bonds of friendship; the host thanks him and exchanges the same greetings; liqueurs and pastries are served and in the meantime there are informal conversations between neighbours. When the coffee is brought, it is a sign that the meeting is coming to an end and everybody cordially says goodbye.
In the late morning, the Franciscans went to visit the Melkites, and then returned to receive the delegations of the Coptic and Syriac Churches. After the Epiphany, the Franciscans will take their good wishes to the Oriental churches.
In the afternoon, the Latin Catholic delegation, led by the Patriarch Mons. Fouad Twal, accompanied by Mons. William Shomali and Mons. Kamal Bathish, respectively Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop Emeritus of Jerusalem, paid their visit. Naturally the meeting with the Latin delegation was less formal. The Patriarch and the Custos, as well as the season’s greetings, also exchanged their impressions on how the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem went, which are always the result of close collaboration regarding organization and services. The Patriarch affectionately embraced Father Justo Artaraz whose sixtieth anniversary of priesthood falls in this period. With their carols, the Franciscan seminarians made the occasion even more joyful.
FRC
The meeting takes place according to a fixed ceremony which is repeated on every visit: the head of the guest delegation greets the host and the community, thanks them for the invitation and wishes them a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the future, confirming their bonds of friendship; the host thanks him and exchanges the same greetings; liqueurs and pastries are served and in the meantime there are informal conversations between neighbours. When the coffee is brought, it is a sign that the meeting is coming to an end and everybody cordially says goodbye.
In the late morning, the Franciscans went to visit the Melkites, and then returned to receive the delegations of the Coptic and Syriac Churches. After the Epiphany, the Franciscans will take their good wishes to the Oriental churches.
In the afternoon, the Latin Catholic delegation, led by the Patriarch Mons. Fouad Twal, accompanied by Mons. William Shomali and Mons. Kamal Bathish, respectively Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop Emeritus of Jerusalem, paid their visit. Naturally the meeting with the Latin delegation was less formal. The Patriarch and the Custos, as well as the season’s greetings, also exchanged their impressions on how the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem went, which are always the result of close collaboration regarding organization and services. The Patriarch affectionately embraced Father Justo Artaraz whose sixtieth anniversary of priesthood falls in this period. With their carols, the Franciscan seminarians made the occasion even more joyful.
FRC