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THE FEAST OF THE SYNAXIS OF THEOTOKOS AT THE PATRIARCHATE

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On Tuesday, the next Christmas December 26, 2018 / January 8, 2019 the Patriarchate celebrated the Synaxis of the Theotokos, namely the gathering of us faithful in order to honour as we should the Theotokos, as the par excellence responsible person for the mystery of the Incarnation by the Holy Spirit and the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This feast was celebrated:

  1. At the Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, with the participation of H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos on the Patriarchal Throne, while the service was attended by Hagiotaphite Fathers and many pilgrims. The chanting was done by the Choir Leader of the Church Archimandrite Eusevios and the Choir “Tropos” under the lead of Mr. Constantinos Aggelidis. After the Service the Patriarchal Entourage and the faithful returned to the Patriarchate Headquarters under the chanting of the choir, where there was the brotherly osculation.
  2. At the Holy Church of the Synaxis of the Theotokos in Beit Sahour, which has been built by the memorable Spiritual Father of the Monastery of St. Savvas, blessed Archimandrite Seraphim.

There, in the evening of the feast there was a procession from the Holy Church of the Forefathers of the Community of Beit Sahour to the Shrine of the Shepherds of the Patriarchate. After the procession there was festal Vespers, led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, with the participation of the Hegoumen of the Shrine Archimandrite Ignatios and the Priests of the Community. The service was attended by the faithful of the town who were offered a generous reception by the Hegoumen and renovator of the Shrine Archimandrite Ignatios at the end of the service.

On Wednesday morning, December 27, 2018 / January 9, 2019, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in this Holy Monastery, led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, with the full participation of the local congregation.

  1. At the Holy Church of Theotokos in the town of Beit Jalla near Bethlehem, with the Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast, which was led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis. The Community choir chanted in Arabic and the service was attended by the Orthodox faithful of the town.

After the Divine Liturgy the Community offered a reception to the Episcopal Entourage at the adjacent to the Church reception hall.

From Secretariat-General