The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem announced the cancellation of all activities celebrating Christmas this year, and limiting them to prayers and church and religious rituals, in light of the continuing Israeli aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank since the seventh of last October.

The patriarchs and heads of the churches said in a statement issued today, Friday, that “the times we are living in these days are not normal times. Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, we have been living in a painful and sad atmosphere. Thousands of innocent people have lost their lives, many times more have been seriously injured, and many more have lost their lives.” "People are out of work and are suffering from serious economic challenges. Despite our repeated calls for a ceasefire and a reduction in violence, the war continues."

The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem called on Christians in the Holy Land to stand firm in these circumstances and abandon any unnecessary festive activities. They also called on priests to focus more on the spiritual meaning of Christmas in their pastoral activities and religious rituals during this period, and to pray for just peace and for the sake of the victims of this war and its consequences, and to support and donate generously to help them.

The Council of Church Leaders in Jordan also announced the cancellation of all Christmas celebration events and activities this year, out of respect for the innocent victims and their blood in Gaza and all of Palestine, so that celebrations will be limited to prayers and church rituals.

He announced that all church donations for next Sunday would be proceeds for the benefit of the Gaza Strip, calling for the initiative to donate through the official channels that some churches have provided for the same purpose.