Dr. Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, participated in the official reception held in honor of the Patriarchs and Bishops of the Churches celebrating Christmas according to the Eastern calendar.
Dr. Khouri received His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church; His Eminence Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yaqub of the Syriac Orthodox Church; His Eminence Bishop Anba Antonius of the Coptic Orthodox Church; and His Eminence Archbishop Abune Nathanael of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
The event was attended by the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammad Taha Abu Alia, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Hani Al-Hayek, Mayor of Bethlehem Mr. Maher Qanawati, representatives of the diplomatic corps, leaders of the security and police services, members of the Higher Presidential Committee, as well as heads and representatives of national institutions and civil society organizations, in addition to a large gathering of official figures and citizens.
In a statement on the occasion, Dr. Khouri emphasized that Christmas, despite the severe challenges and difficult circumstances facing the Palestinian people, remains a renewed message of hope that embodies the values of peace, love, and steadfastness. He reaffirmed that the celebration reflects the Palestinian people’s deep-rooted commitment to their right to life, freedom, and dignity, and underscores the importance of unity among all components of Palestinian society.
