The Christian community in Jerusalem rang in the Christmas season with a tree lighting, fireworks, and other festivities in the New Gate area, bringing joy to those in attendance and illuminating the Old City.
The Christian community in Jerusalem rang in the Christmas season with a tree lighting, fireworks, and other festivities in the New Gate area, bringing joy to those in attendance and illuminating the Old City.
Families showed up decked out in Christmas apparel for the tree-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem’s Old City on December 11, 2022.
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Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Bagpipers parade in the Old City of Jerusalem during a tree-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem’s Old City, December 11, 2022.
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Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Families and religious officials share in the joy of the Christmas season at a tree-lighting ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem, December 11, 2022.
Credit: 
Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Credit: 
Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images
Credit: 
Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images
Fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree inside the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.
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Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images
A view of the Christmas tree and lights at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, a guesthouse for pilgrims, at the St Louis French Hospital in the Old City of Jerusalem, December 11, 2022.
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Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images
A woman and children pose for a photo before a manger scene at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, a guesthouse for pilgrims, at the St Louis French Hospital in the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.
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Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images
Fireworks illuminate the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree inside the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.
Credit: 
Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
For the third year in a row, Israeli authorities enforced strict restrictions on participation in the Holy Saturday celebrations.
The Miracle of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem thrilled worshippers who managed to get in to see it, but thousands were blocked by new police restrictions that caused community outrage.