THE FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE AT THE PATRIARCHATE

The feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple was festively celebrated at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

In the morning of the day of the feast, Sunday November 21st / December 4th 2011, His Holy Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos celebrated at the Holy Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, opening the Christmas season with katavasiae ”Christ is born, give glory!”

This feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos, as commemoration of the Entrance of the Theotokos at The Holy of Holies in the Temple so as to prepare Her for the following event of the Annunciation and of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary incarnation of the Word of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, was celebrated gloriously at the Holy Church named after the Entrance of the Theotokos at the adjacent to the Patriarchate Holy Monastery of Great Panagia.

At this Monastery initially moved from the Holy Zion Hill the Fathers of the Holy Zion or the Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher in 516AD during the service of the Patriarch of Jerusalem Elias, according to Cyril of Skythopolis author of the Holy Saints in Palestine, so as to be spiritually and locally close to the Temple of Resurrection.

During this feast of the Monastery celebrated on the eve at Vespers and presided over the Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast the Holy Metropolitan of Kapitoliada Isichios, concelebrating with the Reverend of the above mentioned Holy Monastery Archimandrite Dimitrios, Hieromonks and deacons and chanting with the Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher and the Fathers of the Church.

At the feast arrived monks and nuns and members of the Greek dispersion of Jerusalem as well as Arabic speaking natives, participating piously with devoutness.

Likewise arrived and venerated His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with escort, at the end of the service at the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.

After the Divine Liturgy the recently appointed Abbess Holy Nun Melani hosted the Archieratical escort and everyone at the Hegumeneion (Office of the Abbot/Abbess). His Beatitude reassured her with pleasure that she will always have His support for her new duties.

Chief Secretary’s Office

(translated from the original document in Greek by Mrs. Irini Valasi)

httpv://youtu.be/WoErEuZINi8

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder