- Feb 5, 2002
- 166,633
- 56,265
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
On Dec. 2, like every evening before Advent, the city where Jesus was born welcomed the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, and the Franciscan friars for their annual procession into the city where Jesus Christ was born.
The custos and the Franciscan friars were welcomed by the scouts troops at the beginning of Star Street, winding through the heart of Bethlehem, on Saturday, Dec. 2.
This year, however, due to the ongoing conflict, the solemnity of the event has taken on a more somber mood, in line with the directives of the patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem, to “forego any unnecessarily festive activities” and “focus more on the spiritual meaning of Christmas.”
The procession of scouts — usually consisting of several hundred men, women and children from all over Palestine who process in with the custos— was reduced to a small group, the music of drums and bagpipes gave way to a religious silence, and the flag-throwers lowered their flags. Even the streets and Manger Square — typically crowded with local believers and pilgrims — were empty. The only note of joy came from the children of Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem, which is under the custody of the Holy Land, who welcomed the small procession with cheers and applause.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
The custos and the Franciscan friars were welcomed by the scouts troops at the beginning of Star Street, winding through the heart of Bethlehem, on Saturday, Dec. 2.
This year, however, due to the ongoing conflict, the solemnity of the event has taken on a more somber mood, in line with the directives of the patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem, to “forego any unnecessarily festive activities” and “focus more on the spiritual meaning of Christmas.”
The procession of scouts — usually consisting of several hundred men, women and children from all over Palestine who process in with the custos— was reduced to a small group, the music of drums and bagpipes gave way to a religious silence, and the flag-throwers lowered their flags. Even the streets and Manger Square — typically crowded with local believers and pilgrims — were empty. The only note of joy came from the children of Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem, which is under the custody of the Holy Land, who welcomed the small procession with cheers and applause.
Continued below.
PHOTOS: Bethlehem Welcomes Advent 2023 With Quieter Procession, Still With Hope
Children of Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem, which is under the custody of the Holy Land, welcomed the small procession with cheers and applause.
