Armenian Christmas in Bethlehem

Despite the dire weather condition, on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, (the day the Armenian community of the Holy Land celebrates the Nativity of Christ) the Scout Troop of Homenetmen Jerusalem made its march from the Armenian Convent of Jerusalem to the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

At around 12:00 pm, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Torkom Arch. Manougian, accompanied with the members of the St. James brotherhood, were welcomed at the Nativity Square by the governor, mayor, head of police and the armed forces of the city of Bethlehem, Palestinian government representatives, the scouts troops of Homenetmen and Hoyechmen and many pilgrims from around the country and Armenia.

Prior to His Beatitude's arrival, the Homenetmen Scout Troop, both the brass and drum groups, has made an impressive performance by marching from the entrance of the city to its main square playing several Armenian and foreign songs receiving the warm appreciation of the gathered crowd.

At midnight of the same day His Beatitude held a Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Nativity, the place where it is believed Jesus was born. Present at the Mass was the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas.