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Scores of Greek Orthodox Christians participated in an Orthodox Christmas mass in the West Bank town of Bethlehem as clocks rolled into Saturday (January 7).
The mass was led by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, in Bethlehem's Church of Nativity, revered as the birthplace of Jesus.
The Eastern churches include the ancient Assyrian Church, the Greek Orthodox, Armenian and the Coptic Church. Leaders from the various churches are arriving at the church to kick off their Christmas Eve celebrations.
The Church of the Nativity is shared by the Eastern denominations and the Catholic Church, which celebrates Christmas Eve on December 24th.