(10 Aug 2014) Dozens attended mass in the Christian Orthodox church of St. Porphyrios on Sunday in Gaza, to pray for peace in the region even as violence raged.
The cemetery outside the church was damaged in an Israeli strike last month.
Israel accuses Gaza militants of firing rockets from populated areas near and in mosques, churches, hospitals or schools.
Alexios denied on Friday to AP Television that rockets were fired from the church.
A blackout left the prayers in the darkness for a few minutes on Sunday due to a problem in the generator.
Holding candles, worshippers and priests continued the mass.
The lack of water and electricity due to damage caused to infrastructure during the war are additional problems for the residents of Gaza.
While hundreds typically attended church services before the war started on July 8, only a few dozen decided to take the risk on Sunday.
After the mass, faithful, priests and the archbishop gathered to have a coffee and share their feelings.
Among the worshippers was Antoine Ayad, one of the sons of Jalila Ayad - a Christian woman killed during the latest violence.
He called for unity among Muslims and Christians in Gaza amid the fighting.
There are approximately 2,500 Christians among an overall Palestinian population of more than 1.7 (m) million in Gaza.
Their numbers rapidly have shrunk in recent years because of turmoil in the territory.
Instances of Islamic extremism, particularly in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, have made some Christians feel unwelcome in some cases, though relations between Palestinian Christians and Muslims are generally friendly.

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