BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Hundreds of Orthodox Christian worshippers are gathering in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve. After a rainy night, the local patriarch of the Greek Orthodox church led worshippers under bright skies in a procession toward the Church of the Nativity, built on the traditional spot of Jesus’ birth. Orthodox Christian leaders will lead midnight mass in the church late Friday. Most Eastern churches celebrate Christmas Eve on Jan. 6. One Greek Orthodox worshipper stayed home this... Read more

ISTANBUL (AP) — Orthodox Christian worshippers plunged into chilly waters across southern and eastern Europe on Friday to retrieve crucifixes in ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of members of Istanbul’s tiny Greek Orthodox community and tourists from neighboring Greece attended the Epiphany ceremony of the Blessing of the Waters. About 20 faithful leaped into the wintry waters of the Golden Horn inlet to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians,... Read more

ISTANBUL (AP) — Orthodox worshippers dived into icy cold waters from Istanbul to Bulgaria on Friday to retrieve crucifixes in ceremonies to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of members of Istanbul’s tiny Greek Orthodox community and tourists from neighboring Greece attended the Epiphany ceremony of the Blessing of the Waters. The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, led a procession to the Golden Horn after a morning ceremony at the gold-crusted Cathedral of... Read more

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI named 22 new cardinals Friday, including prelates in such key posts as New York and Hong Kong and a large number of Italians holding major Vatican positions. Cardinals are the pope’s top advisers, the elite group of churchmen who will eventually elect Benedict’s successor. Of the 22, 18 are under the age of 80 — raising to 125 the number of cardinals eligible to vote in the next papal conclave. Cardinals aged 80... Read more

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI named 22 new cardinals Friday, including prelates in such key posts as New York and Hong Kong and a large number of Italians holding major Vatican positions. Cardinals are the pope’s top advisers, the elite group of churchmen who will eventually elect Benedict’s successor. Of the 22, 18 are under the age of 80 — raising to 125 the number of cardinals eligible to vote in the next papal conclave. Cardinals aged 80... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — A decision by a Shiite militia to transform itself from an armed, anti-American movement into a viable political force could complicate Iraq’s political crisis and strengthen Iran’s clout in this country as U.S. influence wanes. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government has welcomed the recent decision by Asaib Ahl al-Haq to lay down its arms and join the political process. But bringing the former militants into the fold may alienate the Sunni minority and increase tensions between competing... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — The top Iraqi official in charge of reconciling with the country’s armed groups is welcoming a decision by an Iranian-backed Shiite militia to give up its weapons and support the political process. Amir al-Khzaie, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s adviser for reconciliation, said Friday that the group, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, has not yet turned in its arms but says it is prepared to. He says the group is ready to play a constructive role in Iraqi politics and... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — Roadside bombs killed two Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad on Friday, the day after the country’s deadliest sectarian violence in more than a year left scores dead, officials said. The new wave of attacks, which bore the hallmarks of Sunni insurgents, raised fears of a renewal of the widespread sectarian bloodshed that pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war just a few years ago. At least three roadside bombs exploded Friday morning in different parts of the... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia plans to shutter about a quarter of its Roman Catholic high schools and close or combine nearly 30 percent of its elementary schools mainly because of rising costs and low enrollment, officials said Friday. The moves spurred by an internal, yearlong analysis of the struggling school system will displace almost 24,000 students and leave the region with four fewer high schools and 44 fewer elementary schools at the beginning of the next academic... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The union representing teachers for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia says church leaders plan to close or consolidate 48 Roman Catholic schools due to rising costs and low enrollment. Association of Catholic Teachers local president Rita Schwartz tells The Associated Press four high schools will close and 44 elementary schools will close or be partnered with other schools. Church officials planned a news conference for Friday afternoon to release the full list. The reorganization is the result of... Read more