THE FEAST OF THE HYPAPANTE OF THE LORD AT THE HOLY MONASTERY OF SEYDA NAYA
On Saturday the 2nd/15th of February 2014, the feast of the Hypapante (Encounter) of the Lord was celebrated at the Convent of Our Lady Seyda Naya which lies opposite the Hanke Mosque in the Christian quarter, in the vicinity of the Patriarchate, home to approximately twenty-five nuns.
The Vespers, Matins and Divine Liturgy were officiated by the Elder Secretary, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Ignatios, the Hegoumen of the Monastery of the Shepherds in the homonymous village; the Hegoumen of the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah, Hieromonk Paisios; Archimandrite Apostolos, visiting from the Metropolis of Petra of the Church of Crete; f. Issah Touma, Head of the Cathedral of St James the Brother of God; and Hierodeacon Thaddaeus. The head cantor of the Church of Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, directed the choir of students at the Patriarchal School in Greek, Russian and Romanian, whereas the choir of the Cathedral of St James chanted in Arabic under the direction of Mr Rimon Kamar. A great crowd of faithful, including Greeks from the Parish of Jerusalem, Arab speaking (Rum Orthodox), Russian speaking and Romanian speaking worshippers, attended the services.
His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina preached the Word of God to the pious congregation (see video).
His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived at the church during the Divine Liturgy accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers and pilgrims.
The Retinue of His Beatitude, the Prelatic Retinue and the worshippers were hosted to a reception at the Abbess’ Quarters and in the forecourt of the Monastery by Abbess Serapheima, who has also undertaken the Monastery’s renovation.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/GlJt1TihCOE