On December 28th, 2023, clergy and faithful from Christian churches all over the Bethlehem area gathered for an ecumenical prayer commemorating the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
Traditionally, on this day, the Church mourns the children massacred by King Herod in his maniacal search for the baby Jesus. This year, these Churches gathered to mourn the innocent child victims of this latest war - at least 8000 in the whole Holy Land - with at least 7800 killed in Gaza alone.
8000 palm-sized olivewood hearts crafted by local artisans represented the at least 8000 children killed so far in the war. Each participant was invited to hold a heart in their hand for the duration of the liturgy before gently placing it on the burial cloth in a final procession.
The ecumenical prayer included hymns, a Melkite recitation of the Gospel, a sermon, prayer intentions from young adults in Gaza alongside intentions from young adults in Bethlehem, and a Syriac praying of the Our Father. The entire prayer took place in the Arabic language, but these key moments are subtitled in English.
May these hearts remind us of the human cost of war and of choosing not to stop the war, even despite the clear and terrifying civilian costs that continue to rise. May these hearts stir our consciences to prayer and action for peace and for the justice that alone can secure this lasting peace.
Read more at: igsol.net/23-innocents
Негізгі бет Bethlehem Holy Innocents Prayer 2023 - Mourning 8,000 Child Victims of War
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