|
People wait for the start of Christmas mass at the Mar Shimoni Church on December 24, 2016 in Bartella, Iraq. The predominantly Christian town of Bartella was recently liberated from ISIL as part of the Mosul offensive. The town's four churches were heavily damaged and defaced during the two year occupation. The Christmas mass marks the first official mass in Bartella since a mass was held on Aug. 14, 2014 just hours before ISIS arrived. Christian communities around Mosul are celebrating Christmas as the Mosul offensive continues. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
|
