THE AKATHIST HYMN AT THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM
On Friday, the 22nd of March/4th of April 2014, the service of the Akathist Hymn was held at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The service was led by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, having proceeded to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection amidst bells ringing, accompanied by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.
During the service, the cantors chanted the Canon of the Akathist Hymn “That I open my mouth…” while the four Stases of the Akathist Hymn were read out as follows: the first by Patriarch Theophilos; the second by the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis; the third by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; and the fourth by the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios. The choir of the Church of the Resurrection performed on the right under the direction of Archimandrite Aristovoulos, while the choir of the Alimos Music School performed on the left under Principal Mr Pouis. A crowd of monks, nuns and pious pilgrims participated, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General.
At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude talked of the figure of Our Lady Theotokos as a model of patience, obedience and Sanctity for all generations, and wished that the congregation have a fruitful period of Lent until the celebration of the Resurrection.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/jZpYqV2DC_s
httpv://youtu.be/f8ht1J52vJw