SHOTLIST: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, PALESTINE (APR. 19, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. BELL TOWER OF CHURCH OF NATIVITY/ BELLS CHIMING 2. INTERIOR SHOT OF CHURCH/ WORSHIPPERS (TWO SHOTS) 3. CLOSE SHOT OF METROPOLITAN VINDICTUS, PATRIARCHAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX IN BETHLEHEM 4. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF CHURCH 5. VARIOUS OF METROPOLITAN VINDICTUS MARCHING 6. VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS MARCHING/ CHANTING SLOGANS 7. VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS LIGHTING HUGE CANDLE 8. VARIOUS OF CROWD OF PALESTINIANS/ CHANTING SLOGANS/ HOLDING CANDLE 9. CRUCIFIX NECKLACE 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FATHER ISSA THALJIEH, THE ARCHPRIEST OF THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, SPEAKING TO REPORTER "We're from the Church of the Nativity, and our message to every person living on this earth, and even worldwide, is clear. The message of Christ, who was born in the city of Bethlehem, is a message of love, a message of peace that emanated from the city of Bethlehem to the whole world. We are still here, sending a message of love and peace, despite the pain, destruction, and war. We walked a dedicated path of suffering, like the one Jesus took. Palestinians on this land endure the actual path of pain, enduring suffering, war, and destruction, be it political or economic. Undoubtedly, in the Gaza Strip, the war is ongoing, with people being exterminated and killed, including children and infants. Everyone living in the city of Gaza is suffering due to the harsh conditions. And it's not just the people in Gaza; all Palestinians on this land endure challenges, like the lack of access to holy sites, the barriers, roadblocks, and closures. We are truly living a path of pain, but in a spiritual way. Therefore, today, our prayers, despite the lack of festivities, are focused on religious rituals. We raise our prayers to the Lord, asking for freedom, peace, and justice for the Palestinian people, both Christians and Muslims. This is our message to the whole world; to remain steadfast on this land despite the challenging circumstances we face. We must have determination, resilience, and love for one another, because truly, the feast is about love. It's about forgiveness, unity, and solidarity so that we can resist the occupier. This is our message; it's the faith we hold onto, hoping that the Holy Light reaches everyone living in darkness on this earth. "BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, PALESTINE - APR. 19: Thousands of Christians gathered in Bethlehem’s Manger Square on Holy Saturday, Apr. 19, to receive the Holy Fire, a sacred symbol of Christ’s resurrection, in a centuries-old Orthodox Christian tradition. The flame, brought from Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was carried into the Church of the Nativity, marking the start of Orthodox Easter celebrations. The ceremony, attended by faithful from across the West Bank and beyond, saw worshippers holding candles and lanterns to spread the flame, symbolizing hope and renewal. Bethlehem city officials and Metropolitan Vindictus, Patriarchal Representative for the Greek Orthodox in Bethlehem led the procession, transferring the Holy Fire to churches in Bethlehem, Ramallah, and other parts of the occupied West Bank. In an interview with Anadolu after the ceremony, Father Issa Thaljieh, the archpriest of the Church of the Nativity, emphasized the enduring message of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem—one of love and peace—while acknowledging the hardships faced by Palestinians. Thaljieh said "Palestinians on this land endure the actual path of pain, enduring suffering, war, and destruction, be it political or economic.. Undoubtedly, in the Gaza Strip, the war is ongoing, with people being exterminated and killed, including children and infants…. All Palestinians on this land endure challenges, like the lack of access to holy sites, the barriers, roadblocks, and closures.” He described the current circumstances as a "path of pain," noting that this year’s celebrations were subdued, with prayers focused on religious rituals rather than festivities. "We raise our prayers to the Lord, asking for freedom, peace, and justice for the Palestinian people, both Christians and Muslims," he said. Thaljieh called for unity and perseverance amid adversity, urging solidarity among Palestinians. He also said he feast is about “forgiveness, unity, and solidarity.”, adding that “We can resist the occupier. This is our message; it's the faith we hold onto, hoping that the Holy Light reaches everyone living in darkness on this earth. " The Holy Fire ceremony, considered a miracle by believers, takes place annually on Holy Saturday, preceding Easter Sunday. This year, it unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza and heightened tensions in the region, with Palestinian Christians emphasizing their steadfast presence in the Holy Land.