On the afternoon of Friday the 26^th of July/8^th of August 2014, the funeral service for the late Hagiosabbite Monk, f. Photios, who had served as Principal at the Patriarchal School, was held at the Monastery of St Savvas the Consecrated.

The location was chosen per the wish of the departed, expressed during his treatment to the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Greece, Archimandrite Damianos, who also arranged for the transfer of the body from Athens to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv on a flight of El-Al Israeli airlines.

The funeral service was led by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan; Archimandrite Evdokimos, the Monastery’s Spiritual Guide, and other Hagiotaphite Hieromonks. Praying with them were Hagiosabbite Fathers from the Monastery.

The funeral speech was delivered by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

The remains of f. Photios was kept at St Nikolas chapel, where the funeral service was performed, until its burial, on the following day, at the Monastery’s cemetery.

At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude praised the monastic and ascetic ethos of f. Photios, especially his unselfishness and non-ownership, and wished that his soul find repose and that his ethos be imitated by younger Hagiotaphite Fathers.

From the Secretariat-General

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a devoted guardian of the Holy Shrines and of the Orthodox faith in them, wishes to inform the followers of its website and any person in search of the liberating truth – “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8,32) – that the icon of Panaghia that is kept in the shrine behind the chapel known as the Prison of Christ in the All-holy Church of the Resurrection does not “blink” as some faithful have recently suggested. Such false impression may be due to the reflection of light.

Our infallible Orthodox faith and tradition guides us in the manner in which to honour the devout figure of Our Lady Theotokos and receive her consolation and assistance.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 24^th of July/6^th of August 2014, the representative of Hungary to the Palestinian Autonomy in Ramallah, Mr Michael Giza, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Michael was warmly received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

In the context of this meeting an interesting discussion took place on the visit of His Beatitude to Hungary, on the country’s subvention for the renovation of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and on the award of two scholarships to students of the Patriarchate’s Arab-speaking flock. Assurances were also exchanged on the continuation of this fruitful cooperation between Hungary and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 23th of July/5^th of August 2014, the Principal of the Patriarchal School, Professor of Physics, Hagiotaphite, Hagiosabbite Monk Photios Kiousis passed away.

The dearly departed and respected Monk Photios, originally from Kalamos, Attica, joined the Monastery of St Sabbas the Consecrated around 1973, after having completed his undergraduate studies in Greece and graduate studies in England. At the Monastery he remained until 1982, up to his appointment by the Patriarchate to the Patriarchal Hieratical School in Sion, where he was to teach his specialty conscientiously and with erudition. During the last fifteen years he served as Principal, always a model teacher but also a paragon of a monk observing the monastic virtues which he had received from the Holy Monastery of his repentance.

About a year ago he fell ill and had to be hospitalized at the Hadassah Israeli Medical Center on the Mount of Olives. There he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which required his transfer to St Sabbas Hospital in Greece, on the support of the Holy Sepulcher Exarchy in Greece. While in treatment, he was vanquished by the disease and delivered his soul to the Lord.

The Church of St Sion, mourning in Christ, prays for the repose of his soul. His funeral, as per his wishes, is scheduled to take place at the Holy Monastery of his repentance.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/b8R5uHSSdck?list=UUUJ0Grl082n5ebQS0hXtc7g

On Saturday, the 20^th/2^nd of August 2014, Prophet Elias the Thesbite was commemorated by the Patriarchate at the Monastery dedicated to him between South New Jerusalem and Bethlehem, near the ruins of the ancient Monastery of the Kathisma (Seat) of Theotokos.

Through the site of this Monastery the Prophet Elias escaped persecution from idolater kings Ahab and Jezebel and there he slept under a broom bush (3, Kings 19, 5) until being woken by an angel of the Lord with these words: “Get up and eat and drink, for the journey is too much for you”. So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.(3, Kings 19, 4-8).

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Matins and Divine Liturgy at the Monastery. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, and the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; also, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. The choir sang under the direction of the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Aristovoulos, in Greek, Russian and Romanian. The choir of the Cathedral of St James the Brother of God sang under the direction of Mr Rimon Kamar in Arabic. The faithful, albeit few in number due to the uncontrollable war situation in Gaza, prayed in piety and warmth of soul for the fulfillment of their personal requests and the prevalence of peace. They came from Jerusalem, Greece and Russia but not from the occupied areas, for the same reason of political unrest and atrocities.

During the service, His Beatitude preached the word of God in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/08/02/6773

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the renovator of the Monastery, Hieromonk Paisios hosted everyone to refreshments at the Hegoumen’s Quarters. At noon, the Patriarchal Retinue and others were hosted to lunch at a restaurant near the Monastery.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1vslPccoJlI?list=UUUJ0Grl082n5ebQS0hXtc7g

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.

In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.
In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Monday, the 14^th/27^th of July 2014, Hierodeacon Georgios Banoura was ordained priest at the Church of the Holy Forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Community in the Village of the Shepherds-Beit Sahour, by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan.

Fr. Georgios Banoura hails from the town of Beit Sahour. He studied Theology at the Theological School of the University of Athens. A graduate of the Conservatory of Athens, he has been appointed to serve the Greek Orthodox Community in Birzet, near Ramallah, before proceeding to serve the Community of his place of birth.

Before the ordination, the ordained presbyter addressed the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan, in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/27/6683

The address of the Archbishop of Jordan, also in Arabic, may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/27/6677

Upon the ordination, the relatives and parishioners honouring fr. Georgios with their presence, declared him to be “Worthy, worthy, worthy”.

At noon of the same day, fr. Georgios hosted numerous guests to lunch. His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was invited to attend and bless the event.

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of July 2014, the memory of the Prophet Elias the Thesbite was commemorated in advance at the Church dedicated to him in the area of Maaloule, a suburb of Nazareth.

The Church of the Prophet Elias used to belong to the Arab-speaking Community of the Patriarchate which abandoned its seat upon the foundation of the state of Israel, in 1948. Since then, the area has been a military base. In recent years, the Patriarchate, mainly through the actions of Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archimandrite Hilarion, the Abbot at the Monastery of Tabor, went on to restore, renovate and reopen it.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem led the Matins and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Archimandrite Hilarion, Abbot at the Monastery of Mount Tabor; and Arab-speaking Presbyters from the Nazareth area. Orthodox faithful from Nazareth participated in piety, moved over the knowledge that their ancestors had lived in this very town.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, His speech may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/26/6674

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, participants were offered refreshments in the forecourt of the Church, under the shade of pine trees.

At noon, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, hosted the Patriarchal retinue and members of the congregation and of the Community to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PS-ggzIU1qQ?list=UUUJ0Grl082n5ebQS0hXtc7g

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of July 2014, Mr Christophoros Christodoulou was ordained as deacon in the Nicosia Exarchy of the Holy Sepulcher by the Exarch, the Most Reverend Timotheos, Metropolitan of Vostroi. The newly ordained deacon is intended to serve as this very Exarchy where he received the holy orders.

The relevant announcement of the Cyprus Exarchy of the Holy Sepulcher may be reached here:

http://exarhiaptcy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=271:2014-07-26-19-21-09&catid=37:2011-07-04-08-14-00&Itemid=66

From the Secretariat-General