Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Wilkes Barre, will have the honor of receiving the candle flame from Bethlehem, the place where our Lord was born.  This light from Bethlehem will illumine the church throughout the Christmas season and beyond.  Visitors will have the opportunity to take this light home with them in the same way that a lighted candle is brought home by many following the services of Holy Thursday evening. This  event will take place on Wednesday, December 23rd at  6:30 p.m.  An Akathist to the Nativity will be celebrated following the reception of the light.

"Now in its 29th year, the Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organized by the Austrian Broadcasting Company - ORF (Linz) - and was part of a large charitable relief mission - Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986 there has been a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe, such that the light is passed on to 30 European Countries and for the past few years, on to North America, Mexico and Canada . Each year, a child from Upper Austria kindles a flame from the "Eternal Flame" from the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent. Scouts and Guides can then take the light on to other churches, hospitals, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody that appreciates the significance of the "gift". " ~ Peace Light website

Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us on Wednesday, December 23 at 6:30 p.m. for this wonderful event.
Some lanterns will be available for sale at the church to carry the light home with you or you can bring your own lantern.