The Antiochian Orthodox Church celebrated the Nativity of Christ on December 25, 2021 (according to the New Julian style). In the Patriarchal Cathedral of Damascus (Maryamie) His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East celebrated matins and Divine Liturgy in the concelebration of vicar bishops, a host of priests and deacons. With the blessing of His Beatitude, the presbyterian rank was headed by the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia at the Patriarchal See of Antioch, Hegumen Arseny (Sokolov).
At the end of the festive Liturgy, Abbot Arseny conveyed to His Beatitude Patriarch John the Christmas greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and presented His Beatitude with a Christmas gift.
Then, to the singing of Christmas carols and the drumming of the scout orchestra, Patriarch John, the clergy and the worshippers went to the reception hall of the Antiochian Patriarchate, where coffee was offered to everyone.
After the congratulations on Christmas, a Christmas dinner was held in the refectory of the Patriarchate of Antioch.
Photo: https://antiochpatriarchate.org/