On Friday, the 30^th of August/12^th of September 2014, the new Ambassador of Georgia to Israel, His Excellency Mr Paata Kalandare, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Kalandare was received by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. An interesting discussion took place during the meeting, on problems facing the Middle East, where the Patriarchate has been called to protect and preserve the All-Holy Shrines, but also Christians residing in the Holy Land.

Talk was also made on the frequent visits of pilgrims from Georgia, even during periods of unrest and conflict between peoples inhabiting the All-Holy Shrines region.

Additionally, His Beatitude congratulated the new Ambassador on the assumption of his duties, and offered him Jerusalemite eulogias, namely the Hagiotaphite calendar in Russian and icons of the Holy Sepulcher.

The Georgian Ambassador thanked His Beatitude for the long and constructive conversation, and offered Him fine wine from his country, before going on to venerate at the Lord’s Life-Giving Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/HDJ5OxveQik

On Thursday, the 29^th of August/11^th of September 2014, the Patriarchate commemorated the beheading of John the Baptist at the Monastery dedicated to him, in the Christian quarter of Jerusalem, to the south of the Church of the Resurrection and the chapel of the Dependency of Gethsemane.

The event, passed down to the church by the Evangelists, is celebrated as a venerable day of gladdening mourning. On this day, the Church remembers that Herod, rebuked by John the Baptist for committing adultery with Herodias, his brother’s wife, killed “the greatest among those born of women” (Luke 7, 28). Surrendering to the biddings of the shameless Herodias, he delivered the Forerunner’s head, to be carried amongst the dinner guests on a platter by Salome (Matthew 14, 8-11).

His Eminence Philoumenos, Archbishop of Pella, Patriarchal Commissioner in Irbet, Northern Jordan, led the Vespers and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. The choir of the Church of the Resurrection performed under the direction of Archimandrite Aristovoulos with students at the Patriarchal School of Sion, in Greek, Arabic and Russian. Also in attendance were pious faithful from Jerusalem and pilgrims.

During the service, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem proceeded to venerate with Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The Patriarchal and Prelatic retinues and all concelebrants were courteously hosted by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Bartholomew at his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/sCTjKiTohBA

httpv://youtu.be/DQmEkkHBh-c

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, the 24^th to the 25^th of August/ 6^th to 7^th of September 2014, Hierodeacon Martyrios was ordained as Presbyter by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, during a nocturnal divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher.

In attendance at the sacrament of the ordination were Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns and pilgrims, praying with the ordained that he be firmly and fruitfully devoted to his hieratic diaconate. Before the ordainment, the ordaining Primate strengthened the ordained with spiritual words of consolation and guidance, as shown in the video below.

After the ordainment, the ordained priest f. Martyrios hosted those honouring him at the office of the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros of Hierapolis.

The service was broadcast live via Internet on the Patriarchate’s Radio Station.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/SqCJIsTczjY

We would like to inform you that tonight, on Sunday, 7 September 2014, at 01.30, the Radio Station of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem will broadcast the Prelatic Divine Liturgy from the Holy Sepulcher, and the ordainment of Hierodeacon Martyrios to Presbyter by Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias.

As always, the service shall be broadcast via the Central Website of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem: www.jerusalem-patriarchate.info

 From the Website Administration of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Friday, the 23^rd of August/5^th of September 2014, the Patriarchate observed the Apodosis of the Dormition of Theotokos, namely the completion of eight days after the feast, as is the case with feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God.

A Divine Liturgy was performed on the morning of the aforementioned day at the Sepulcher of Theotokos in Gesthemane.

The Liturgy was followed by a procession of the icon of the Dormition, carried by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Nektarios, through St Stephen’s Gate and the Via Dolorosa, St Charalambos Monastery and Christian Street, among Priests, monks and nuns. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection chanted alongside a flock of locals and pilgrims, venerating the icon.

At the junction between Christian and Patriarchate Streets, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem proceeded to venerate with Hagiotaphite Fathers as well as the Greek Consul General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and his esteemed wife.

The procession carried on until the Gethsemane Dependency, across from the Church of the Resurrection where, after a supplication and the Patriarchal Polychronism, the icon was put back in its place to mediate in favour of the Church of Jerusalem and all those believing in it.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nCPu9h5oHpk

On Thursday, the 22^nd of August/4^th of September 2014, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem convened under the presidency of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The Holy and Sacred Synod delved into various issues of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and reached the following decisions: 

1. To appoint Archimandrite Nicodemus as Abbot at the shrine of St George the Great Martyr in Lydda.
2. To appoint Archimandrite Bartholomew, Abbot at the Monastery of John the Baptist in the Old City of Jerusalem, as Assistant Dragoman and professor at the Sion Patriarchal Hieratic School.
3. To appoint Archimandrite Stephanos as Abbot at St Catherine Monastery, in the Old City of Jerusalem, and Head of the Pilgrim Service Office.
4. Appointed Hierodeacon Dionysios as Principal of the Boarding House at the Sion Patriarchal Hieratic School.
5. To welcome father Simon of Simonopetra Monastery to the ranks of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.
6. That Hierodeacon Martyrios be ordained as Priest.
7. That novice Antonios be tonsured as monk and join the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 20^th of August/2^nd of September 2014, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Acting Principal, the Reverend Monk Nikolaos Zervis, visited the Patriarchate’s School of Sion.

The aim of the visit was for the Patriarch to bless the reparations intended to reinforce the building, the project recently completed by the architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Mr Theodosios Mitropoulos – as well as works underway at the dining hall of the School. The latter works are being supervised by the Principal of the Boarding House, monk Antiochos, in view of the arrival of new students for the 2014-2015 academic year.

After inspecting the works, His Beatitude gave instructions that they be carried on and financed, as they are, by the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday, the 17^th/30^th of August 2014, His Beatitude, Archbishop Theophilos of Jerusalem, arrived in Cyprus accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Reverend Archdeacon Evlogios.

His Beatitude was welcomed at Larnaca airport by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus and the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus, Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostroi, accompanied by Hierodeacon f. Christodoulos.

From there, Their Beatitudes were driven to the recently renovated and inaugurated Exarchy of the Holy Sepulcher, where the Exarch had already prepared their welcoming.

At noon, Metropolitan Timotheos hosted Their Beatitudes and the Cypriot Education Minister, Mr Kadis, to lunch.

In the afternoon, Vespers was held at the Church of the Exarchy, led by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. In the evening, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus hosted the Patriarch, His retinue and other guests, to dinner at the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus.

On the morning of Sunday, the 18^th/31^st of August 2014, the Joint Patriarchal and Primatial Service was led by Their Beatitudes, Patriarch Theophilos and Archbishop Chrysostomos. Co-officiating were the Exarch, Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostroi; Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Metropolitan Gregorios of Mesaoria of the Church of Cyprus; Archimandrite Romanos of the Patriarchate of Antioch; Archdeacon Evlogios and Archdeacon Kyprianos. Cantors from the Youths of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and the Church of Cyprus, sang in Greek and Arabic in the Byzantine style. The participating youth observed the service and partook of consecrated bread and wine, whilst listening to Their Beatitudes’ words of blessing, consolation and spiritual teaching.

At noon, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus hosted the Patriarch, His retinue and all participating campers to lunch. During lunch, campers performed religious songs and traditional dances.

After repose, the Patriarchal and Primatial Retinues were hosted to dinner offered by Metropolitan Chrysanthos of Kition at his Bishopric.

After dinner, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem and His Retinue boarded a Cyprus Airways flight for Ben Gurion airport.

From the Secretariat-General

In fitting glory the Archbishopric of Qatar celebrated the feast of the Dormition of Theotokos. Due to local circumstances, the Dormition and the Service of the Lamentations of Theotokos were moved to Friday, the 16^th/29^th of August, in facilitation of the participation of the faithful, as Friday is a non-working day.

On the evening of Thursday, the 15^th/28^th of August, a Great Celebratory Vespers was held which included Breaking Bread, led by Archbishop Makarios of Qatar.

On the morning, after the Matins Service, the Lamentations of Theotokos were sang according to the order of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and were followed by a Primatial Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating with His Eminence Makarios were Archimandrite Stephanos and Protopresbyter Athanasios, and the vicars of the churches of St Isaac and St George. A crowd of faithful participated with respect and reverence for the All-holy Mother of God.

From the Secretariat-General

The website of the Patriarchate would like to inform its followers that H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem will be in Cyprus from Saturday the 17^th/30^th of August 2014, in order to participate in the Joint Service scheduled for Sunday the 18^th/31^st of August, at St Nikolas Church in Kakopetria. The service will take place on the conclusion of the summer camp offered by the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus to one hundred young men and women from the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem as well as from the Archbishopric of Cyprus.

Further details will follow shortly.

From the Secretariat-General