The christmas ceremony in the orthodox Russian Church of Maria Magdalene in the foot of Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. This Russian church is dedicated to Miriam from Migdal (Maria Magdalene), who was a prostitute that reformed and turned into Jesus' follower. Maria was the first to see Christ after she was resurrected. Though she was very close to Jesus, she was never recognized by Christianity as one of the Apostles.

 

 

 

Tourists wearing Santa Claus hats pose for a picture in front of the Dome of Rock in Jerusalem's Old City.

 

 

A man dressed as Santa Claus walks with a palm tree form Christmas. Jerusalem municipality authority gave palm trees to christians for the Christmas celebration.

 

 

A man dressed as Santa Claus prepares for the Christmas while an ultra orthodox Jew passes by.

 

 

Franciscan monks in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

 

 

Christian arab children dress up as santa claus days before christmas in the christian quarter of the old city of Jerusalem.

 

 

Christmas party in YMCA in Jerusalem for christian children, most of them are orphans from monasteries from Jerusalem and Beit Lehem.