Moscow Catholics at Christmas Midnight Mass

More than 1,500 Roman Catholics flocked Monday for a Chrismas night mass to Moscow's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

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More than 1,500 Roman Catholics flocked Monday for a Chrismas night mass to Moscow's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
In photo: Archbishop Pavel Petsi, in the center, during the vigil

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The rector addressed the congregation with a traditional Christmas greeting, "Christ is born -- give Him glory"

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Dark ahead of the Christmas night vigil, the cathedral's interior gradually became lit up with lavish illumination in the course of the festive mass

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There were scouts in front of the altar, holding a lantern lit with Bethlehem flame, fetched from the town believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ

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On completion of the mass, the rector consecrated a traditional Nativity set built in the cathedral's courtyard, putting a figure of the baby Jesus into the creche

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Faithful attending Monday's Christmas night vigil at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Moscow

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A parishioner during Monday's Christmas night mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Moscow

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Parishioners attending Monday's Christmas night mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Moscow

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Parishioners during Monday's Christmas night mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Moscow