Midlands church leaders in battle to save Christmas

Oct 25 2009 by Christina Savvas, Sunday Mercury

The bishop’s appeal is being backed by Father Christos Stefanou, of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke in Erdington, Birmingham.

“People should wear their crosses to show they are Christians especially at such an important time as Christmas,” he said. “It is the beginning of the Salvation for the human race.

“Off course it should be called Christmas, nothing else. Other religious faiths are not denied the opportunity to celebrate their religious festivals and we should not be denied ours.

“It is very important that we wear our crosses and show our beliefs. People should not be told they can’t wear their crosses in the workplace.”

Respect Party leader and Sparkbrook councillor Salma Yaqoob agreed that everyone should have the freedom to celebrate religious festivals.

“I am totally supportive of the right of freedom for every person to express their beliefs,” she said.

“Christians should be supported in the wearing of crosses or fish badges, and there is no question that Christmas shouldn’t be called Christmas – that is what it should be.

“There has never been an ethnic minority which has called for Christmas to be renamed. Everybody has the freedom to express themselves.

“That is the great thing about the country.

“Nobody should be stifled in expressing themselves and I think Christians have the right to wear a cross in the workplace.”