Barack Obama visits the Church of Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem / Православие.Ru

Jerusalem, March 25, 2013

On March 22, the USA president Barack Obama visited the Church of Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem during his visit to Israel, where he was received by Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus II. The head of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem led the president of the United States through the ancient Basilica.

Noted for his pro-American sympathy, the Patriarch of the Church of Jerusalem in his welcoming speech called Obama "a messenger of peace and reconciliation".

The USA president lit two candles in the Church—for himself and for his family. The state secretary of the USA John Kerry and the leader of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas accompanied Obama, reports Sedmitza.ru with reference to the Romfea and Amen news agencies.