The Holy Sepulchre is not the kind of church that gets dressed up for Christmas.
I'm guessing that putting up a tree or any decorations in the public spaces would wreck havoc with the old Status Quo agreement among the various denominations in the church.
So imagine my delight and surprise a few days ago when suddenly a normally-locked door in the rotunda opened for a second and revealed a lit-up tree and a creche!
Such a warm glow, even on the wooden door.
I got a shot a split second before a monk came out.
I suppose the room is the sacristy of maybe the Copts.
Hmm, wonder where the stairs lead to . . . .
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BTW, I gave you a bum steer in yesterday's post. It turned out that the televised Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve was from Nazareth and not Bethlehem.
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Hope everyone is having a happy day.
Merry Xmas to all the Xtians!
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(Even though that is the Greek letter chi and not an English X, I link to ABC Wednesday's X-day. And the door can be for the Israel-based meme Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.)
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Serendipity -- always fun. Kate, ABC Team
ReplyDeleteI love those unexpected little moments like this when something wondrous is suddenly revealed . . .
ReplyDeleteI tuned into your link yesterday just in time to hear the end of the Bishop's (or whatever the title was of the man with the staff) homily I think. As it was all in Arabic, it may as well have been Greek to me. But it was a delight to listen to the words, he pronounced them so clearly. I caught a word or two that I could figure out, including "Muslims" and "Jews" and "Messiah". Oh, and also "salem" or peace. The perfect message for Christmas Eve I think.
Interesting photos and the accompanying litle story - thanks.
ReplyDeleteI hope that we can excel someday in peace.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Good thing you are always ready with camera! Apart from this, I wonder why anyone really decorate it so that you can not see anything of the tree:-)
ReplyDeleteHappy X-mas!
Merry Christmas Dina!
ReplyDeleteSpiderdama, I guess the monks and priests who work and live in the Holy Sepulchre want a few signs of Christmas cheer in their own private quarters.
ReplyDeleteSara, you listened well and caught the most important words.
Before you tuned in, he spoke in English, Hebrew, Italian, French, you name it. I think this was Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo from the Latin Patriarchate who officiated at the Midnight Mass in Nazareth.
The Patriarch Fouad Twal was busy at the Mass in Bethlehem.
Hey Meead, shalom! Is Chicago covered with snow yet?
ReplyDeleteKate, you're right. And it happens often.
Berowne, thank you. The little story was somehow part of this picture.
Roger, some already do excel in peace, but not enough.
Shalom Aleichem, Dina.
ReplyDeleteYes, Chicago is now under a thin layer of snow. We have had a relatively warm December so far.
You are my favorite ecclesiastical spy, Dina
ReplyDeleteAlohaShalom
What an adventure ! Much enjoyed entry. Great picture with the monk appearing.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun and interesting to see Christmas trees around the world during Christmas time! Thanks for the unexpected surprise, dear Dina!
ReplyDeleteSnowy regards from central Wisconsin
We had a quiet, lovely day over here in the land of mostly sunshine. Onward to the new year...
ReplyDeleteThe sigh of a Christmas-tree always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays ~ X is for...
That's a cool peek!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the Christmas greeting, Dina. The day may have a very different significance for peoples of different faiths, but I say that prayers and blessings are always welcome. I hope that you too had a good day and enjoyed your walk.
A lovely glimpse of the Christmas tree through that open door!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice peek you gave us, or sparkling tree and creche. You musta interrupted the monk's chanting! hahahaha
ReplyDeleteVery strange indeed, but beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos...emitting warmth.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year ^_^ (A Creative Harbor) aka artmusedog and CArol ^_^
How eXquisite! Hope your days are peaceful now, Dina.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
What nice images, Dina. That Christmas tree is so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteTalk about being in the right place at the right time. Thanks for the peek into a private world, Dina.
ReplyDeleteWow, good catch! That was very fortunate timing, good thing your camera was at the ready :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to WWDD, I'm honored as always!