Catholicism met Christmas

On December 25, in his first Christmas speech, Pope Benedict XVI reminded Christians of the need for constant spiritual work. Turning to the traditional Christmas message by Urbi et orbi, dad emphasized that in the era of scientific and technological progress, the man of technological era risks becoming a victim of the success of his mind and the results of his activity, if he encounters spiritual atrophy, with the void of the heart. "

The main center of Christmas celebrations is the birthplace of Jesus the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, located on the western bank of the Jordan River, about seven kilometers south of Jerusalem. The conclusion of the Israeli troops from the gas sector contributed to the fact that for the first time in six years in the city a truly festive atmosphere was established in the city.

In the Bethlehem Church of the Nativity of Christ, built in the very place where, according to legend, the Jesus baby was born, the festive mass took place, which was headed by the Latin Patriarch Jerusalem Michel Subbach. He used a worship for a traditional call for peace in the Middle East.

Christmas is also being handled where there is a war, for example, in Iraq. Due to the commandant’s acting in Baghdad and the fear of the dark time of the day, the Christians of the city had to serve the festive mass on Saturday at noon. With some reductions, it was shown on national television. The service was held by Patriarch Babylon Emmanuel III Delhi. In the Christian district of Baghdad Carrad, he prayed for "peace in Iraq and all over the world."

Gorky was Christmas for those who survived the tsunami. Last year, a natural disaster interrupted the lives of 216 thousand people. In Indonesia, parents, whose children took a huge wave, after service in the church laid wreaths on the mass grave. Foreign tourists came to the beaches of Thailand and Indonesia to throw a wreath in the water in memory of missing friends and relatives.

The Royal Family of Great Britain traditionally meets Christmas in its country estate Sandringham. On Saturday, the whole family of Windsors, led by the 78-year-old reigning Queen Elizabeth II, visited the church of St. Mary Magdalene located near the estate. For the first time among the family members, the Duchess of Cornwell Camilla was present, at which Prince Charles married in April this year. A postcard with congratulations from the queen was also first addressed not only to Charles, but also by Camille.

The idea of Christmas as a winter holiday has long been broken by Europeans, accustomed to sunbathing on this day on the famous Bondi Beach beach in Australia. This year, due to recent racial riots, the police introduced increased security measures. At the entrance to the beach, vacationers pass through the metal detector, while the police strictly monitor alcohol. But this does not prevent hundreds of people from enjoying the sun and an affectionate ocean wave.

12/25/2005 / gzt.ru Material is published in the newspaper No. 245 dated December 26, 2005.