JERUSALEM: January 13, 2020
Celebrations of the Nativity of Christ at the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of the Russian Church Abroad

The Nativity of Christ is celebrated with special ceremony in the monasteries of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Mission, headed the Christmas Eve services in the Convent of St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, in Russian Gethsemane.

All-night vigil, in accordance with custom, is performed on the eve of the Nativity, which Fr Roman performed at Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mt of Olives (Eleon). It began with the great compline and blessing of the loaves. Not long before midnight, matins began, followed by Divine Liturgy.

In the morning, after a brief respite, in accordance with tradition, the nuns of both convents and other worshipers visit the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem.

On January 8, Archimandrite Roman celebrated Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Most-Holy Mother of God at Gethsemane Convent.