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CNN Sunday Morning

Hymns Filled the Air at Church of the Nativity

Aired May 12, 2002 - 11:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And on this Sunday in Bethlehem, prayers and hymns once again filled the air at the Church of the Nativity. Today's services were the first since the end of the five-week siege at the historic site.

CNN's senior international correspondent, Walt Rodgers, has been on a day -- has more on the day of thanksgiving in Bethlehem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Greek Orthodox Patriarch Iranios blessed Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity Sunday morning. These Christians had been locked out for most of Lent, locked out also during Orthodox Easter, when Palestinian militants took over this church and the Israeli army ringed the outside.

For 38 days, the church was a fortress, until the siege ended Friday.

In the grotto below the altar, Holy Communion. And at the traditional site of Jesus' birth, tears.

Many Christians here are still angry about the armed standoff. A few others, however, are ready to forgive both sides.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: We need our land, a Palestinian land, and the Jewish state need also to live here. We ask God to live together in peace.

RODGERS (on camera): This Sunday's Orthodox mass has made it seem as if the Israeli-Palestinian siege here has all been just a very, very bad dream. But there is also a darker sense that one of the most sacred shrines in Christendom has been terribly violated.

(voice-over): In the adjoining Roman Catholic church, prayers and rejoicing that the more than 30 nuns and priests are now free again.

Cardinal Roger Echeguerrit (ph), the pope's emissary, said, "What is needed is justice and a rejection of violence." Others warn, however, without more interfaith dialogue, there will be renewed religious strife in the Holy Land.

Still, this Sunday, everyone -- Muslims, Christians, and Jews -- seemed relieved that a sense of holiness has been restored here.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Bethlehem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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