Photo Ed: Christians celebrate Christmas in Istanbul

People walk past a Christmas tree inside a shopping mall in Istanbul December 23, 2008. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Turkish women look at Christmas ornaments at a gift shop in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008. In Turkey, Christmas has evolved as a prime time shopping season as Turks joyfully celebrate New Year's Eve with special dinners and exchanging gifts with their loved ones. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)

Catholics light candles at the St. Esprit Church during the Christmas mass at midnight, in Harbiye, downtown Istanbul, on Dec. 24, 2008. (AFP PHOTO/Mustafa Ozer)

Catholics light candles at the St. Esprit Church during the Christmas mass at midnight, in Harbiye, downtown Istanbul, on Dec. 24, 2008. (AFP PHOTO/Mustafa Ozer)

A Catholic woman prays at the St. Esprit Church during the Christmas mass at midnight, in Harbiye, downtown Istanbul, on Dec. 24, 2008. (AFP PHOTO/Mustafa Ozer)

A woman walks past a Christmas tree in front of a shopping mall in Istanbul Dec. 23, 2008. (REUTERS/Osman Orsal)

A Catholic boy lights a candle at the St. Esprit Church during the Christmas mass at midnight, in Harbiye, downtown Istanbul, on Dec.24, 2008. (AFP PHOTO/Mustafa Ozer)

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew (L) blesses believers during a Christmas mass in Aya Yorgi (St. George) church at Fener Greek orthodox patriarchate in Istanbul December 25, 2008. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew (L) blesses believers during a Christmas mass in Aya Yorgi (St. George) church at Fener Greek orthodox patriarchate in Istanbul December 25, 2008. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

A Greek Orthodox boy lights a candle during the Christmas mass at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, led hundreds of worshippers at a crowded Christmas service to celebrate the feast of Nativity. Many were pilgrims from neighboring Greece. AP Photo/Murad Sezer