All the world's great religious traditions are represented in Beijing. During the holiday season, the following religious organizations will hold regular or special services to meet the needs of the faithful, whether residents of Beijing or visitors to the city.
Catholic
Nantang (South Cathedra)
December 24 -- 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. (The Mass will be celebrated four times)
Bilingual services are given in English and Chinese. The earlier service is tailored especially for senior citizens; the latter Mass may be very crowded.
Those who plan to attend must book tickets.
Address: 141 Qianmenxi Dajie, Xicheng District
Tel: +86 10 6607 6538
Beitang (North Cathedra)
December 31 -- 6 and 7 p.m. Mass is celebrated in the Chinese language.
Address: 33 Xishiku, Xicheng District
Tel: +86 10 6617 5198
Orthodox
Orthodox Services will be held, in full traditional style, on Orthodox Christmas dates, in early January. To attend, please contact the Russian Embassy.
Address: Russian Embassy, 4 Dongzhimen Beizhong Jie, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 6532 2051
Protestant
Beijing International Christian Fellowship
December 24 -- Christmas Eve Services
Every Sunday, regular services
Address: 21st Century Auditorium, across from the 21st Century Hotel, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 8454 3468
WWW: http://www.bicf.org
Because of government regulations, you must bring your foreign passport to attend.
River of Grace Church
Address: East Lake Villa, 3rd Floor of the Club House, Just west of the Canadian Embassy on Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Because of government regulations, you must bring your foreign passport to attend.
Beijing Baptist Church
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Christmas Sunday Services
Address: 3/F, CTS Plaza (NW corner of 3rd Ring Road and Jingshun Lu)
Tel: +86 10 6474 1869
The Meaning of Hanukkah
The festival of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the original lighting of a new Menorah, upon a new altar, built in a holy Temple in Jerusalem after the city was retaken from occupying Hellenistic Syrians by Jews under the leadership of Judah Maccabee in 165 BC. There was believed to be only enough oil to light the Menorah for a day or so, but the flame ''miraculously'' continued burning for eight days until more oil could be found. The symbolism of this victory (and the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah) is often referred to as the ''spirit of Hanukkah'' that signifies freedom over oppression, spirit over matter, light over darkness.
Hanukkah Service at Community Hanukkah Party
Address: D-5A, Kings Garden Villa, 18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 6468 1321
Because of government regulations, you must bring your foreign passport to attend.