Christmas celebrations in Turkey

Christmas celebrations started last night, on the Christmas Eve. 

Christmas was celebrated in Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin and Hatay.

In Istanbul, the first Christmas celebration was “Kalanda” which is the traditional Christmas celebration of Greek community. It was celebrated in Istiklal Street with songs in Greek, Romaic and Turkish.

The celebration started in front of Private Zoğrafyan Greek High School and students walked from there to Istiklal Street with present in their hands.

Principal of Private Zoğrafyan Greek High School Yani Demircioğlu played accordion and the students sang along with him. Also, shortbreads and presents were offered during the ceremony.

Students and Greek citizens walked to Greek Consulate General of Istanbul and the Consul General Evangelos Sekeris welcomed them. Lasted for about an hour, the celebration was ended with the offerings in Greek Consulate General.

Refugees commemorated in St. Antuan

In Istanbul, the Christmas was celebrated with a ceremony held in Saint Antuan Church. Foreigners and tourists were also present at the ceremony and they lighted candles with prayers and hymns.

At this ceremony, the refugees who died in Aegean Sea on their way to a new and better life were commemorated. 

There was also a Christmas ceremony in Saint Esprit Church in Şişli. People attended the ceremony led by Priest Louis Pelatre.

Antakya

There were Christmas ceremonies in the first cave church St. Pierre Church, which is a pilgrimage site for Christians, and in Antakya Orthodox Church.

The ceremony in St. Pierre Church was led by Domenico Bertogli. Children staged a play on the birth of Jesus Christ.

The ceremony in Antakya Orthodox Church was led by the spiritual leader of the church Jan Delüller and Priest Dimitri Doğum.

Mersin

There was a Christmas celebration in Latin Italian Catholic Church in Mersin. The church was decorated with lights and at the ceremony led by Priest Francis Dondu, passages from the Bible were read.

Izmir

In the House of the Virgin Mary in Selçuk province of İzmir, a Christmas ceremony was held. Hymns were sung and passages from the Bible were read. Leading the ceremony, Maciej Sokolowski wished peace for Suriye and Iraq and urged everyone to have a place for love in their hearts.