THE PRESENTATION OF THEOTOKOS CELEBRATED AT THE PATRIARCHATE
On Thursday, the 21st of November/4th of December 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple of God.
The Presentation, namely the Entrance of Theotokos into the holy of holies of the Temple of Solomon, foretells “God’s will for our salvation” and the fact that the virgin Mariam, presented by the priests to the Temple, was predestined by God to bear Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His incarnation by the action of the Holy Spirit.
- At the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen
His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the service at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen.
- At the Monastery of the Great Panaghia
This great Marian feast was celebrated in the Monastery of the Great Panaghia, at the chapel of St Melanie – the Katholikon of the Monastery being in a process of restoration. The service was led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, with co-officiating Hieromonks and deacons. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection sang in Greek and Russian, with nuns singing in Greek.
In the course of the divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, proceeded to venerate.
On the conclusion of mass, Abbess Melanie hosted Prelates and the congregation to a reception at the Hegoumeneion.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/u-6ejbACz_8
httpv://youtu.be/jwubeBtiY7U