Russian Orthodox patriarch visits Bethlehem

12/11/2012 RUSSIAN Orthodox Patriarch Kirill visited the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem and met with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, on the second day of his Holy Land trip. After his visit to the Bethlehem church, built over the site where Christians believe Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable, Patriarch Kirill met with the Palestinian president at his office in the West Bank city. A statement from the president’s office cited Mr Abbas as telling Patriarch Kirill the visit was historical and bore political meaning