1945 - Palestine: Russian Patriarch Alexis I & Lord Gort in Bethlehem & Jerusalem

1945 - Palestine: Russian Patriarch Alexis I & Lord Gort in Bethlehem & Jerusalem Russian Orthodox priests leaving Church of Nativity (?) in Bethlehem watched by civilians, police & others including old Arabs & young Jews (?); Patriarch Alexis wearing white helmet topped by diamond cross. Near him is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan of Kiev in white round hat. Posing. Group walking; priests, incense, staffs. Ceremonial procession, priest giving blessing to others. 08:37:05 Priests entering low stone entrance to Church of Nativity, crowd entering. 08:37:24 Procession leaving Russian Monastery of Mount of Olives led by two men wearing fez & carrying staffs. LS thru gardens. 08:37:41 View from inside as ?? greets Priest exiting from car, second car arrives w/ other priests. Shown into living quarters & priests posing w/ Lord Gort, High Commissioner for Palestine & Transjordan. MS & MCU. 08:39:04 Priests leaving or into patio. 08:39:19 Priests / Patriarchs & Lord Gort looking across garden to hillside of Jerusalem. MCUs talking. 08:40:11 Sedan arriving at palace; Priests down staircase & standing on patio in garden of Jerusalem’s Greek Patriarch w/ Greek & Antiochus’s patriarchs, Kiev’s Sebastia’s Metropolitans, Princess Irene of Greece, Prince Peter of Greece & others. Princess Irene kisses hand. MCU talking w/ Alexis. Religions; Religious Leaders; Post-WW2; Post-WWII; Ethnic; Near East; Palestine; Greek Orthodox Church; NOTE: Russian Patriarch Alexis’ beard is shorter & more pointed than those of the other High Orthodox dignitaries. Cataloging from cards.