In pictures: Millions across world celebrate Christmas

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Services held around the world to mark the birth of Jesus.
A Syriac Orthodox priest is assisted by deacons as he reads from the holy liturgy as he leads Christmas morning mass at the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on December 25, 2018.

Millions across the world celebrated Christmas with services held from the Philippines to the United States on Tuesday.

For Christians, December 25 marks the birth of Jesus.

One of Christianity’s most culturally significant celebrations, Christmas Eve, is observed by most non-Orthodox Christians on December 24 every year.

Zografyon Greek School principal Yani Demircioglu, surrounded by Greek Orthodox children, plays an accordion during a Christmas celebration at the main shopping and pedestrian street of Istiklal in central Istanbul, Turkey.
Zografyon Greek School principal Yani Demircioglu, surrounded by Greek Orthodox children, plays an accordion during a Christmas celebration at the main shopping and pedestrian street of Istiklal in central Istanbul, Turkey. (Reuters)
Christian girls greet each other after attending a Christmas Mass at a church in Lahore, Pakistan.
Christian girls greet each other after attending a Christmas Mass at a church in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP)
People attend the Christmas service at the St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar, Pakistan.
People attend the Christmas service at the St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar, Pakistan. (Reuters)
People attend a Christmas service at Rahmat Pentecostal Church in Carita, Indonesia. The celebrations were replaced by somber prayers for tsunami victims in an area.
People attend a Christmas service at Rahmat Pentecostal Church in Carita, Indonesia. The celebrations were replaced by somber prayers for tsunami victims in an area. (AP)
Faithful in folk costumes attend the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Saint Martin of Tours' Church in the village of Bujak, 84 kms northeast of Budapest, Hungary.
Faithful in folk costumes attend the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Saint Martin of Tours’ Church in the village of Bujak, 84 kms northeast of Budapest, Hungary. (AP)
A red banner urges people to
A red banner urges people to “listen to what the party says, be grateful for the party’s kindness, and follow the party”, near Cizhong Church, as Tibetan Catholics dance to celebrate Christmas in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China. (Reuters)
Iraqis attend Christmas Mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church, in Baghdad, Iraq.
Iraqis attend Christmas Mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church, in Baghdad, Iraq. (AP)
Members of a bikers' club in Santa Claus costumes ride their bikes in Freiburg, southern Germany, on Christmas Eve Monday.
Members of a bikers’ club in Santa Claus costumes ride their bikes in Freiburg, southern Germany, on Christmas Eve Monday. (AP)
Archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (R), arrives at the start of Christmas Mass celebrations at the Notre Dame de Kinshasa cathedral.
Archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (R), arrives at the start of Christmas Mass celebrations at the Notre Dame de Kinshasa cathedral. (AFP)
An Iranian takes communion from archbishop Ramzi Garmou, left, during Christmas Mass at Saint Joseph Chaldean- Assyrian Catholic church, in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian takes communion from archbishop Ramzi Garmou, left, during Christmas Mass at Saint Joseph Chaldean- Assyrian Catholic church, in Tehran, Iran. (AP)
An Indian Christian nun attends Christmas prayers in a church in Gauhati, India.
An Indian Christian nun attends Christmas prayers in a church in Gauhati, India. (AP)
Members of the Christian expatriate community attend a mass on Christmas eve at Santa Maria Church in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Members of the Christian expatriate community attend a mass on Christmas eve at Santa Maria Church in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Reuters)
Pope Francis delivers his message during the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Pope Francis delivers his message during the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for ‘to the city and to the world’ ) Christmas’ day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. (AP)

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