CLEVELAND — As Christmas descends upon us, churches across Northeast Ohio will be holding services to mark the traditional celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For those unable to make it this year, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has you covered.
The diocese will livestream its Christmas Eve Mass from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist downtown beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Once the Mass ends, it will be archived on the diocese's website and social media pages, allowing worshipers to go back and watch it any time.
"Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter," the diocese wrote in a statement. "It is the feast of the incarnation -- the feast of God becoming flesh. It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the divine choosing to become one of us."
Bishop Edward Malesic will serve as celebrant in his second Christmas since Pope Francis appointed him to head the diocese last year. Unlike 2020, when social distancing guidelines led to limitations in attendance, the cathedral is expected to be filled to the brim this time around.
Despite the relaxation of protocols, the COVID-19 pandemic remains of high concern, as Ohio recently reported its highest one-day case total as the omicron variant spreads. Because of this, Malesic is "strongly" advising all parishioners, "whether vaccinated or not, to wear a face mask while attending Mass indoors." In addition, while the obligation for Catholics to attend Mass has been restored, those with significant health risks or "who have significant fear or anxiety about contracting the coronavirus in a large group of persons" are not required to attend.
Besides 4:30, the cathedral will hold a 10 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day Masses at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. The 10:30 a.m. service will also be livestreamed.
