BETHLEHEM, January 7, 2023 – President Mahmoud Abbas attended the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, marking Christmas celebrations of the Orthodox Christian denominations that follow the Eastern calendar.

Also in attendance were Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Representative of His Majesty the King of Jordan, Princess Maryam Ghazi, Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Governor of Bethlehem Kamel Hamid, and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs Ramzi Khoury, along with several European consuls and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the State of Palestine. Many prominent Palestinian figures were also present.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, conveyed his greetings to President Abbas in a speech delivered by the Patriarchate’s spokesman, Father Issa Musleh. He thanked the President for attending the midnight mass and wished him continued strength and wisdom in leading the Palestinian people toward the realization of their aspirations for freedom and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.