In addition, in a gesture of solidarity and friendship, a group of Catholic faithful from the parish walked this past weekend to St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church, a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City that is reportedly the oldest active church in the city, to bring their congratulations for the Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on Jan. 7.
A group of Catholic faithful in northern Gaza went to the St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church to wish them congratulations for the Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on Jan. 7. Credit: Father Gabriel Romanelli/Facebook
Catholics in northern Gaza have endured great hardship since the war broke out. Many parishioners reportedly chose to seek refuge in the parish compound rather than assume the risks of fleeing south.
Just before Christmas, on Dec. 16, mother and daughter parishioners Nahida and Samar Anton were killed outside the church within the parish compound as they walked to the nearby convent of the Missionaries of Charity. Witnesses said they were killed by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sniper, but the IDF has denied responsibility.
The day before their deaths, rockets were fired, reportedly from an IDF tank, that hit the convent, rendering the home uninhabitable for the disabled residents who live there and the sisters, according to the Latin Patriarchate. CNA previously reported images of the attack, which were taken with cell phones by eyewitnesses and sent to Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish, who is currently in Jerusalem and unable to return to his flock.
Romanelli told CNA in a previous report that resources are scarce for the faithful there and fear and tension had increased with the ongoing violence and recent attacks. Parishioners, however, continue to organize themselves to help with survival needs: the procurement of food, cooking, cleaning, child care, caring for the sick, and maintenance of the church and liturgical services.