REPORTAGE – In this cosmopolitan city, communities live in harmony. For Christians, preparing for Christmas is a way to combat despair.
Special envoy to Haifa
You have to go to Haifa to see Christmas decorations. There are none in the Old City of Jerusalem. Despite the consent of the Latin Patriarchate – that is to say the Catholic bishopric – the streets of the Christian quarter are not illuminated for the second year in a row: for fear of offending the sensitivities of other communities during this period of war .
In Haifa, on the contrary, the Melkite Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Maronite churches are covered in garlands and lights. A large fir tree adorns the courtyard of the Saint-Louis Maronite parish. Inside, there is a nativity scene and gift packages. « For us, Eastern Christians these symbols have spiritual meaning. It is a statement of faith, to show that where there is darkness, we can bring light », explains Father Youssef Yacoub, the parish priest.
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