wfn.org | Armenian Patriarch Participates in Bethlehem 2000 Inauguration

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 1999

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH PARTICIPATES IN
BETHLEHEM 2000 INAUGURATION

As the strains of Beethoven's Ode to Joy resonated over the tumultuous
crowd gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square, the Year 2000 celebrations
of the birth of Jesus Christ were launched with a varied program
reflecting the religious and cultural diversity of the Holy Land.

The festivities were opened by President Yasser Arafat and Bethlehem
Mayor Hanna Nasser. Following a street parade by flag-bearing Italian
minstrels specially flown in from Tuscany, the Patriarchs and Heads of
the Christian Communities in Jerusalem and Bethlehem took their places
on the massive outdoor stage, built immediately adjacent to the Armenian
Convent facing the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity.

Each cleric read a part of the Gospel in his native language, including
His Beatitude Patriarch Archbishop Torkom Manoogian reading in
Armenian. Also seated at the dais were the Greek Orthodox and Latin
Patriarchs, as well as Anglican, Coptic, Syrian and Ethiopian Orthodox,
Franciscan, Greek Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Chaldean, Lutheran
Evangelical and Maronite church leaders. Interludes of sacred music
were provided by a successive cross-section of choral groups
representing the sister Christian churches. Armenian seminarians
presented two Armenian Christmas hymns.

Following the arrival of the Light in torches from the Grotto of the
Nativity, Patriarch Manoogian, together with Latin Patriarch Michel
Sabbah, helped President Arafat light the Christmas Tree in the
courtyard of the Church of the Nativity. This set into motion the
colorful illumination of the entire town of Bethlehem for the Christmas
season and for the forthcoming Year 2000 celebrations.

Interestingly, the tightly-organized program came to a short, brief
halt as the Moslem call to prayer from a nearby mosque drowned out the
words of the Latin Patriarch as he presented the inaugural message in
Arabic. It was a perfect example of the spirit of cohabitation required
in this religious mosaic.

The unique and long-awaited day concluded with the release of twelve
doves of peace and the joyous tolling of the church bells of Bethlehem,
a familiar sound so characteristic of life in the Holy Land.
___________________________________________________
P.O Box 14235, Jerusalem 91141
FAX: (9722) 626-4861;
  Tel: (9722) 628-6895;

Official website of the Patriarchate:   armenian-patriarchate.org
e-mail: arminf@netvision.net.il