THE FEAST OF ST CATHERINE AT THE PATRIARCHATE
On Monday, the 25th of November/8th of December 2014, the feast of the glorious great martyr St Catherine was celebrated at the Monastery dedicated to her name. The Monastery stands opposite the Patriarchate, in the Christian quarter of Jerusalem.
As has been handed down to us by the Synaxarion of the Church, St Catherine lived in Alexandria, a maiden of extreme beauty, well-educated and gifted with the virtue of virginity. After her baptismal, she avowed her faith in Christ, astounding the philosophical scholars of Alexandria. She suffered a martyr’s death in 305 AD, during the rule of Maximinus.
His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, led the service at the Monastery, with co-officiating Hieromonks and deacons. The head cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Eusebius, sang alongside students at the Patriarchal School of Sion. Members of the Greek parish, pilgrims and monks, participated in the service.
On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Abbot, Archimandrite Stephanos, hosted the Prelatic Retinue and the congregation to a reception at the Hegoumeneion [Abbot’s quarters].
The Patriarchate also participated in the celebrations in memory of St Catherine taking place at the Monastery dedicated to her name on Mount Sinai. The delegation was headed by Patriarchal Commissioner, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/mvpBgWRQy4w