Church officials in Iraq say they have canceled some Christmas festivities in two northern cities over fears of insurgent attacks.
The Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Kirkuk, Louis Sako, says church officials will not put up Christmas decorations outside the church and urged worshippers to refrain from decorating homes.
He says the traditional Santa Claus appearance outside one of the city’s churches has also been called off.
Prayers for the Christians of Iraq at this time.