Churches and cathedrals across the nation held services and masses on Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
At the Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul, a Christmas mass was held at noon on Friday with Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of the Seoul Archdiocese presiding.
 
In another mass at midnight Thursday, the archbishop prayed that all people will share joy and God’s blessings on the day celebrating Jesus’ birth.
 
Churches across the nation also held services on Christmas.
 
The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) issued a Christmas message saying that God will bring peace and heal the wounds of the people. The council plans to hold a joint service in front of Seoul Plaza Friday afternoon.
 
The Presbyterian Church in Korea will hold a service on Friday evening at Paengmok Port in Jeolla Province along with the families of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.