Heads of the orthodox churches in Jerusalem arrived today in Bethlehem ahead of the midnight Christmas mass and ushering in the Christmas celebrations for the Orthodox churches.

The first to arrive at Bethlehem’s Manger Square was the top Assyrian clergy, followed by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and later by the Coptic and Ethiopian heads of churches. 

Theophilos headed the annual procession from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem’s Old City to Manger Square.

The heads of churches were separately welcomed at Manger Square by clergy, dignitaries and a host of Palestinian officials ahead of the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where Christian tradition says Jesus Christ was born.

Theophilos, the most senior Orthodox hierarch, will lead the midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity.