"PRACTICE"

#13128359

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128360

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128361

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128365

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128368

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128369

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128370

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128372

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128374

25 December 2025

The Divine Liturgy is led by patriarchs for Christmas in an Orthodox cathedral in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 24, 2025. This ceremony, officiated in Latin with some Arabic words, refers to the Eucharist in the Byzantine rite, adapted into Spanish for the Latin American community. The Divine Liturgy with one's back to the congregation is popularly known as the Tridentine Mass (or Traditional Latin Mass), where the priest celebrates ''ad orientem'' (towards the east/altar), with his back to the congregation. This practice predates the Second Vatican Council and is perceived as a gesture of unity in prayer to God.

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#13128468

25 December 2025

An altar server stands as he attends a mass prayer inside the Holy Family Catholic Church during Christmas Day celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on December 25, 2025.

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#13128485

25 December 2025

A nun stands outside the Holy Family Catholic Church during Christmas Day celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on December 25, 2025.

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#13127418

24 December 2025

A Nepali Christian child poses for a photo at the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. However, they share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13127419

24 December 2025

The Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, is decked with lights on Christmas Eve on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur city is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for the visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. They, however, share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13127420

24 December 2025

A Nepali Christian prays in the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. These traditions, however, share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13127421

24 December 2025

Decorations hang on the premises of the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. However, they share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13127422

24 December 2025

A mass prayer ceremony takes place in the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, becoming the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. These traditions share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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