On Tuesday, the 4^th/17^th of June 2014, the new building of the Greek Consulate General of East Jerusalem was inaugurated. The Consulate stands at the end of the Latin Patriarchate street, in the old city of Jerusalem. The building, which is owned by the Patriarchate, was appropriately restored and rented to the Consulate General for a symbolic price.
The inauguration-blessing rite was performed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem and attended by the Consulate personnel, Hagiotaphite Fathers and members of the Greek parish.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Beatitude addressed Consul-General, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, his esteemed wife, and all attendants, pointing out how the granting, by the Patriarchate, of new premises for the Consulate General of Greece in East Jerusalem, was the great wish of the ever memorable Patriarch Benedict, who “counted upon the Greek State as the natural, moral and legal protector of the ab antiquo acquired and inalienable rights and privileges of the pious race and nation of the Rum Orthodox in the Holy Land”.

 The Consul-General thanked His Beatitude for His support during the preparatory process and arrangement of every detail towards housing the East Jerusalem Department of the Consulate General, which is expected to strengthen the relations between the Patriarchate and Greece as heir to the Byzantine Empire for the protection of our nation.

From the Secretariat-General

On Thursday, the 31^st of January/13^th of February 2014, a Protocol on Cooperation was signed between the Department of Language, Literature and Civilization of the Black Sea Countries at the Democritus University of Thrace, and the Orthodox Educational Center of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bethlehem.

The Protocol was signed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the name of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and Professor Constantinos Remelis on behalf of the Democritus University of Thrace.

According to the Protocol, “the Department of Language, Literature and Civilization of the Black Sea Countries at the Democritus University of Thrace undertakes to dispatch members of its Teaching and Research Personnel to the Orthodox Educational Center of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bethlehem” with the purpose of giving lectures and educational seminars, as well as holding on-site seminars and realizing visits aimed at teaching the Greek language to the Arab-speaking Rum Orthodox of the Bethlehem region, Shepherds Village and Beit-Jalla and acquainting them with the Greek and Byzantine tradition.

The entire text of the Protocol on Cooperation is posted in the Greek version of the News Gate, for whom it may concern.

From the Secretariat-General

On Sunday the 2^nd/15^th of June 2014, the feast of All Saints was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the Chapel dedicated to them within the Monastery of Our Lady Seyda Nayia, in the Christian Quarter.

All Saints Day is celebrated by the Church a week after Pentecost Sunday, to commemorate the fact that All Saints are the fruit of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and apostles and on the entire Church.

Officiating at the feast was the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking priests, in the presence of a flock of monks, nuns, local Arab-speaking faithful and pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine. In attendance was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Abbess Seraphima hosted the Prelatic Retinue and the flock to a reception at the Abbess’ Quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jIJ0SYhQm6Y

On the morning of Friday the 31^st of May/13^th of June 2014, the Dragoman’s Office of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, notified by the Israeli Police, arrived at the chapel/catacomb of the Holy Spirit on St Sion and witnessed the vandalisms caused again by extreme fanatic activists from the area around David’s Tomb.

The aforementioned activists broke into the heavy iron gate of the chapel, after breaking the chain, and desecrated the chapel with garbage, spreading to the holy Altar in the Eastern niche.

This description of such unacceptable, violent anti-Christian actions may be verified through the photographs herein below.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, at all times advocating appeasement, conciliation and a peaceful inter-religious coexistence, protests over such acts and extends its thanks to the Israeli Police of the area of David’s Gate for their support.

From the Secretariat-General

On the evening of the Sunday of Pentecost, the 26^th of May/8^th of June 2014, and on the evening of the Monday of the Holy Spirit, the 27^th of May/9^th of June 2014, extreme Israeli activists from the area of David’s Tomb violated the chapel-catacomb of the Pentecost, which belongs to the Patriarchate, cutting through the railings and throwing in garbage, while also digging in the area around it.

The Patriarchate, at all times advocating appeasement, conciliation and a peaceful inter-religious coexistence, protests over the aforementioned acts and extends its thanks to the Israeli Police of the area of David’s Gate for their support.

From the Secretariat-General

Monday the 27^th of May/9^th of June 2014 saw the celebrations for the descent of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, on the holy disciples and apostles gathered in the Cenacle on the Hill of the Holy Sion, as attested by the Church.
Vespers was first held in the chapel within the cemetery of Sion, built on the ruins of a Byzantine Church, led by His Eminence, Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. Also in attendance were several pilgrims.

On the morning of the Monday of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Liturgy was held in the Church of the Holy Trinity within the Patriarchal School in Sion. Officiating at the service was again Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila. The choir of the Patriarchal School sang under the direction of the Head Cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, f. Eusebius, in the presence of a crowd of pious pilgrims.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a procession began from the church as the kneeling wishes were being recited, walking once within the church, once around the underground chapel/catacomb and once around the Cenacle.

After reciting the wish at the Cenacle, the procession returned to the Church where a supplication was made for the repose of the souls of the departed.

At the conclusion of the procession, the Prelatic retinue was graciously hosted to a reception at the School’s Events Hall.

The descent of the Holy Spirit was also celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission (MISSIA), led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with Archimandrite Theophanes of MISSIA co-officiating. In attendance were many Russian-speaking, Arab-speaking and Greek-speaking faithful.

During Communion, Metropolitan Isychios read out the address of His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and presented an icon of Our Lady of Jerusalem for His Holiness Cyril, Patriarch of Moscow.

At the conclusion of the service, Archimandrite Theophanes of MISSIA hosted the Prelatic retinue to lunch.

The Monday of the Holy Spirit was also celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Samaria. The feast was led by His Eminence, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. Co-officiating with him were the Hegoumen at Jacob’s Well, Archimandrite Ioustinos, and the town priest, f. Tuma Daoud. The fifty members of the parish participated in piety – “Fear not, little flock”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/dJhYC8IApAQ

httpv://youtu.be/KjBiBHkyVnw

On Sunday the 26^th of May/8^th of June 2014, the feast of Pentecost was observed at the Patriarchate in commemoration of the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, on His holy disciples and apostles on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection. Blessed with the Holy Spirit, they spoke of the Lord’s wonders in other tongues, according to the Acts of the Apostles (2, 1-11), and attracted to the Lord three thousand souls on that day, marking the beginning of the appearance and exodus of the Church of Christ to the world.
This event, which came to pass in Sion, was celebrated at the Lord’s Holy Sepulcher during the Divine Liturgy, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias. Co-officiating with him were their Eminences, Archbishops Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda, with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. The choir chanted under the direction of head cantor Archimandrite Aristovoulos, in the presence of a crowd of local faithful as well as pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania, Serbia and other Orthodox countries.

The Liturgy was followed by the Vespers of the Holy Spirit Monday and Kneeling Wishes. At the conclusion of the service, the Prelates proceeded to the Patriarchates.

There, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias wished to all that they be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, also conveying wishes by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/K0BYmDNqYjc

httpv://youtu.be/IRBCx54tqtU

On Friday the 24^th of May/6^th of June 2014, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem conferred on the Most Reverend Metropolitan Ignatius of Larissa and Tyrnavo the honorary title of the Grand Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, for his genuine love and support of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, manifested mainly through pilgrimage tours to the Holy Shrines. Metropolitan Ignatius was in the Holy Land for purposes of veneration in the company of priests and a group of ninety pious pilgrims from his Bishopric.

Touched, Metropolitan Ignatius of Larissa thanked His Beatitude for the honorary distinction and promised to carry on his God-given contribution to the Holy Shrines and their guardians, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and the Mother of Churches.

On Friday the 24^th of May/6^th of June 2014, the Representative of Hungary to the Palestinian Autonomy in Ramallah, Mr Csaba Czibere was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, on the occasion of the conclusion of his diplomatic mission. Mr Czibere thanked His Beatitude for the collaboration between the Patriarchate and his country, Hungary, which the Patriarch visited two years ago in order to join the celebrations commemorating St Stephen.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude conferred on Mr Csaba Czibere the title of the Grand Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, as a token of appreciation for his personal support to the Patriarchate, and for his country’s financial contribution to the restoration of the roof of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Mr Csaba Czibere extended his thanks and pledged to maintain his relation to the Patriarchate active, substantial and helpful, before offering the Patriarch a commemorative porcelain tray with a representation of his country.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/QNTdQiywWt0

On Tuesday the 21^st of May/3^rd of June 2014, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood observed the feast of its protectors and guardians of the Holy Shrines, the glorious kings, Sts Constantine and Helen.

Vespers for the feast was officiated by the leader of our Brotherhood, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns and pilgrims.

At the conclusion of Vespers, the Fathers sat in the forecourt of the Church and were offered wine and rusk.

On the morning of the feast, Patriarch Theophilos led the Matins Service and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating with Him were the vicars of St Constantine church. In attendance were Hagiotaphite Prelates, priests and monks.

After the divine Liturgy, His Beatitude and officiating priests, dressed in sacerdotal vestments, alongside the Prelates carrying engolpiya and the Archimandrites carrying a cross, exited the church while the head cantor of St Constantine, Archimandrite Eusebius, chanted. From there, they passed through the gate of the Central Monastery and, having received the blessed piece of bread for the feast, proceeded to the Patriarchates.

At the Patriarchates, a supplication was made, followed by the Patriarchal Polychronism wish and an address by His Beatitude.

Boiled wheat (kollyva) and coffee were offered to guests before they went on to kiss His Beatitude’s hand in respect. At noon, they were hosted to festive lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/WX7C0tYmZsE

httpv://youtu.be/8w9hqeGOOyU