St Mary's is about to enter its busiest time of the year
St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai is preparing for Christmas. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The church in Oud Metha has been decorated for the festive season
Christmas celebrations in the place of worship have grown larger over the years, with decorations becoming more visible
A worshipper in a quiet moment of prayer at St Mary's Catholic Church in the days before Christmas
The church is quiet for now but thousands of worshippers are expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Mass will start early on Christmas Day
St Mary's has been a focal point of the community for decades and in the 1960s, Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, donated land for the church, as well as its bells
A plaque stating how Sheikh Rashid donated the church bells
Christmas decorations and a shrine at St Mary's
A nativity scene at St Mary's
St Mary's is about to enter its busiest time of the year
St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai is preparing for Christmas. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The church in Oud Metha has been decorated for the festive season
Christmas celebrations in the place of worship have grown larger over the years, with decorations becoming more visible
A worshipper in a quiet moment of prayer at St Mary's Catholic Church in the days before Christmas
The church is quiet for now but thousands of worshippers are expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Mass will start early on Christmas Day
St Mary's has been a focal point of the community for decades and in the 1960s, Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, donated land for the church, as well as its bells
A plaque stating how Sheikh Rashid donated the church bells
Christmas decorations and a shrine at St Mary's
A nativity scene at St Mary's
St Mary's is about to enter its busiest time of the year
How Christmas services were different in 1970s Dubai
Veteran worshippers at St Mary’s Catholic Church recall a simpler time
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John Dennehy
21 December, 2023
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