Istanbul (Fides Service ) – “This Christmas we Turkish Christians feel a deeper sense of solidarity and closeness with Jewish and Muslim communities: this is undoubtedly because of the recent tragic attacks in Istanbul” Father George Marovich, spokesman of the Turkish Bishops’ Conference told Fides Service.
With regard to the atmosphere pre-Christmas Istanbul, Father George said: “Christmas Day is not a bank holiday in Turkey but it is kept by all Christians. There are few decorations seen in the city but in families it is a great feast celebrated with prayers and action of solidarity and charity. The local Caritas Office and aid agencies of other Christian Churches are preparing gift hampers for poor families as a sign of God’s love for all men and women revealed to mankind with the coming of Christ on earth. Many Muslim citizens, attracted by Christmas songs on foreign TV channels, come to join our Christmas Services.”.
Further east in Antioch, on the border with Syria, Christmas is decidedly an ecumenical celebration. Franciscan Friar Domenico Bertogli, an Italian missionary in Antioch, told Fides about local Christmas events. “We hold a vigil service at Saint Peter’s Grotto in a cave in the hills overlooking Antioch: the Grotto is believed to be the first church ever built in this area. Then we join the Greek Orthodox Community for a Christmas celebration of the Divine Mysteries. There is no tension or fear of fundamentalist attacks. Christmas is a keenly felt, intimate family celebration”.
“On Christmas Day we expect a visit from the local authorities: it is now a tradition for civil authorities to pay a courtesy visit on December 25 and this is a sign of our cordial relations ” Father Bertogli told Fides.
Other Christmas initiatives consist in solidarity with the needy: “In collaboration with the local Caritas office we always have Christmas Charity Raffle in aid of the poor and with the proceedings our pastoral helpers prepare parcels of food and clothing which they take at Christmas to the poorest families in the area, Christians and non” Father Bertogli told Fides.
Christmas in Antioch is always an opportunity for evangelisation: the magazine produced by the Catholic Mission has a special Christmas issue focussing on the Gospel accounts of the Birth of Christ and on life stories of famous Saints who lived locally, such as Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint John Chrysostom and others. Besides the print edition there is also a CD-Rom which is very popular among visitors.
Antioch on the River Oronte mentioned in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, was where followers of Christ were first referred to as Christians”.
(PA) (Fides Service 19/12/2003 lines 38 words 428)