Every year, on the occasion of the religious festivals of Christmas and Easter, the main representatives of the Christian confessions of the Holy Land meet to exchange greetings, visiting each other in the respective seats of the patriarchates. The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the local leaders of the Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian Church participate in these moments. On this Friday, December 28, the meetings were held at the headquarters of the Custody of the Holy Land. The Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilus III admits being very happy for the collaboration between the churches and in a special way for the restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Br. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land emphasised the work together by taking a position to defend Christians and their rights. Speaking to the Copts he says he is very hurt for everything that happens in Egypt and he prays for all the Christians who suffer perseverance, above all in Egypt. The Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, Mons. Pizzaballa, took the floor remarking how, in becoming a man, God enters in our time and in our history. "Christmas tells us that our life is Advent and ends with the encounter with God" commented Msgr. Pizzaballa "tread this path with confidence towards the good future: the Father's mercy awaits Read More