Armenian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

Armenian Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas on Wednesday, receiving the Armenian patriarch in Bethlehem. Worshipers gathered at Manger Square at 9 a.m. before heading to Saint Elias church in Jerusalem. They then returned to Bethlehem where two scout groups flanked the Armenian patriarch on a procession to the Nativity Church. Bethlehem mayor Abdul Fattah Hamayel, police chief Khaled Al-Tamimi and presidential adviser on Christian affairs Ziyad Al-Bandak greeted the patriarch. Palestinian Authority premier Salam Fayyad will meet the patriarch at a reception in Bethlehem.