THE FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS AT THE PATRIARCHATE
On Friday, the 8th/21st of November 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast day of the Archangels, Michael and Gabriel, and all heavenly powers, at the Monastery dedicated to them, which lies on the coast of Joppa. The Monastery, burnt down in the 1950s, was restored by His Eminence Damascene, Archbishop of Joppa, by his own subvention.
The divine Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth; Archbishops Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Isidoros of Hierapolis and Nektarios of Anthedon; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks from neighbouring towns – Archimandrites Niphon of Lydda, Nicodemus of Lydda, and Damian, Exarch in Athens; Archimandrite Ieronymos, Abbot in Fhes; Archimandrites Mathew and Timoftes; Presbyter Constantine, vicar in Joppa, and other Arab-speaking Presbyters. Cantors visiting from the Church of Greece, upon the invitation of Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, sang in Greek whereas the Cantor of Joppa Community sang in Arabic in the presence of the representative of the Hellenic Embassy in Israel, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. Also in attendance were: the Military Attaché of the Hellenic Air Force, Mr Evangelos Panayiotou; the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Andrea Păstârnac, the Moldavian Ambassador to Israel and the Director of Religious Affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr Cesar Margiye. Arab-speaking, Russian-speaking and Romanian-speaking faithful participated in piety alongside parishioners of Joppa and pilgrims from Greece and Russia, as well as Boy Scouts who had welcomed His Beatitude on His arrival.
His Beatitude preached the Word of God to the pious congregation in Greek.
Several among the congregation proceeded to receive Communion whereas icons were distributed to the faithful together with the antidoron.
After mass, Archbishop Damascene hosted all to a reception, whilst the Patriarchal Retinue and representatives of the Hellenic Embassy to Israel and officials among the flock were hosted to a splendid lunch.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/TvGgCeL5mGg
httpv://youtu.be/aHjJuK7s7BU