On Sunday the 19^th of May/1^st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection of the Archbishopric of Albania was inaugurated in Tirana.
The magnificent, fine church is one of the many works of public benefit offered by the Holy Bishopric of Albania. The said Archbishopric was spiritually inert under the atheist Communist regime, yet it is now reborn owing to the faith, wisdom and endeavours of His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Albania.

In attendance at the ceremony were the Leaders or representatives of most Orthodox Churches.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. H.B. was accompanied by the Elder Secretary General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Evlogios.

His Beatitude and retinue were received at Tirana Airport by His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Demetrios of Argyrokastro and assistant Bishop Nathaniel of Amantia, on Friday the 18^th/30^th of May.

On the afternoon of the same day, H.B. the Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Monastery of St Vlasios in the Bishopric of Dyrrhachium, where the Archbishopric of Albania maintains a boarding school, an orphanage, a convent and a Theological School. There, His Beatitude was warmly received by nuns and residents of the aforementioned institutions.

The following day, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and His retinue, accompanied by Mr Orpheus Bitsis, representative of the Archbishopric of Albania, visited the martyrdom site of St Cosmas of Aetolia within the Bishopric of Berat.

On this very site, a Church dated to 1814 was discovered and unearthed at the initiative of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. The Church, dedicated to St Cosmas of Aetolia, has been renovated to serve today as the parish church of a small Orthodox settlement. Its vicar, f. Raphael, welcomed the Patriarchal retinue.

The tomb of St Cosmas, its originality verified from the saint’s wall-painting over it, was discovered in an adjacent chapel where His Beatitude and Retinue proceeded to venerate.

On the morning of Sunday the 19^th of May/1^st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection was inaugurated in the framework of an Orthodox ceremony which included the procession of the holy relics thrice around the Church, deposition of the relics on the Holy Altar, the smearing of the Altar with Holy Myrrh, the setting of the icons of the Evangelists, and the sealing of the church walls with myrrh.

After the consecration of the holy Altar, the Divine Liturgy was held, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Co-officiating were His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem; H.B. Patriarch Irinej of Serbia; H.B. Patriarch Daniel of Romania; H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus; H.B. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece; H.B. Archbishop Savva of Poland; and representatives of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and of course H.B. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. In attendance was a great crowd of faithful, as well as the President of the Albanian Government, alongside the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, and the Mayor of Tirana.

The service was indeed a pan-Orthodox testament to the rebirth and resurrection of the Church of Albania, and also to the unity between Orthodox Churches.

Addresses between the Archbishop of Albania and the Ecumenical Patriarch were exchanged during Communion.

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Heads of Churches and their attendants proceeded to the Synodicon, where the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Albania exchanged gifts.

An official lunch followed at the hotel where the Leaders are staying, in the presence of the Albanian President and the Mayor of Tirana. During lunch, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem addressed the Archbishop of Albania in Greek and offered him an icon of Theotokos and a stone from Golgotha, to be placed for veneration at the newly inaugurated Church of the Resurrection.

Addresses to the Archbishop of Albania were also delivered by the rest of the Leaders of Orthodox Churches or their representatives.

After lunch, the Leaders attended a music concert, after which His Beatitude Theophilos left for the Airport of Tirana. He arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the 20^th of May/2^nd of June via Constantinople.

From the Secretariat-General 

On Thursday, the 16^th/29^th of May 2014, the Thursday of the Ascension, the Patriarchate commemorated the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven to sit on the right of His Father. This particular event essentially marked the completion of God’s economy for our salvation, as Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Word, placed on the right of the Father our human nature, the one He received during His Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection. It was followed by the enlightenment of the Apostles by the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Church.
Vespers for the feast was officiated at the Ascension site, today held by Muslim Waqfs, according to special arrangements for the time allocated to each Christian Community in view of this year’s common celebrations for Easter, therefore of the Ascension too.

His Eminence Archbishop Damascene of Joppe led the Vespers while the choir chanted under the direction of the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, alongside novices at the School of Sion, and the choir of St James Cathedral under the direction of Mr Remon Kamar.

Vespers was followed by a procession towards the Viri Galilaei Monastery on the Mount of Olives, where the Evangelical pericope of the First Eothinon was recited, the Patriarch of Jerusalem blessing the crowd who then walked back to the Ascension site.

On the morning of the feast, the Divine Liturgy was led again by Archbishop Damascene of Joppe with co-officiating Archimandrites and Hieromonks, and Arab-speaking and Russian-speaking Presbyters. In attendance was a great crowd of pilgrims from Greece, and locals from the North of Israel and from the South of the occupied areas.

During the Divine Liturgy, and after having officiated at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem proceeded to venerate in the company of members of the Holy Synod and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

After venerating, His Beatitude visited the adjacent mosque and venerated the Holy Monastery of the Ascension, erected by the late Archimandrite Joakim and preserved today by Monk Achillios and tenths of nuns.

His Beatitude went on to visit the Russian Convent of the Ascension, during the performance of the Divine Liturgy by Bishop Gabriel of Canada, of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia, and blessed the flock.

Finally, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of Viri Galilaei, where he was hosted to breakfast by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Anthimos.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Rtx3LM4eH-E

httpv://youtu.be/cNK-dxhog9c

httpv://youtu.be/qiXIGT1imaQ

On Wednesday the 13^th/28^th of May 2014, the feast of the Apodosis (Leavetaking) of Pascha was celebrated at the Patriarchate as the last day of this year’s Easter Period.

The Canon of the Resurrection was chanted and the Divine Liturgy officiated at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection, led by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda. The choir sang under the direction of the head cantor, Archimandrite Artistovoulos. In attendance was a crowd of pilgrims sharing the joy, delight and power emanating from the Resurrection of the Lord.

During the course of the Divine Liturgy, Hagiotaphite Fathers led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, proceeded to venerate the Apokathelosis, the Holy Sepulcher and the Golgotha.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Prelatic Retinue returned to the Patriarchates.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/X-93KWx2AKs

On the morning of Tuesday the 14^th/27^th of May 2014, the Divine Cavern of Bethlehem was found damaged by fire. The damage was discovered by Orthodox Archimandrite f. Theophanes at 3:00 am of the aforementioned day, on his way towards Censing and the Matins Service.

Approaching from the south gate of the Cavern, Archimandrite Theophanes noticed heavy smoke and the power supply cut off. Once inside the Cavern, he found the curtains of the internal walls burnt, the walls themselves blackened with soot and two roof oil lamps lying on the ground, as the fire had burnt the rope they were hanging from. Also, the taper of the Armenians, on the marble before the Star, had been moved near the kerbside of the Holy Altar cover, over the Star.

The Archimandrite notified the Patriarchal Commissioner and Hegoumen in Bethlehem, His Eminence Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, who arrived at the scene to verify the above.

Archbishop Theophylaktos went on to notify His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, then in Amman, Jordan. The Palestinian Police was also called and arrived in the morning, as well as the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, in an effort to assess the situation and its causes.

The Patriarchate and the Palestinian Police investigate whether the fire was caused by technical failure or arson.

Bethlehem’s Hagiotaphite Fathers, in collaboration with the Patriarchate, have restored the damages, namely replaced the burnt wall hangings with new ones and cleaned the blackened walls. Their investigation into what caused the fire carries on.

In its own report, the Palestinian Police has ruled that the fire was caused by a short circuit.

At noon on Wednesday the 15^th/28^th of May, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem visited the Divine Cavern for further information and inspection, in the company of His Eminence Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias and the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4CPbLcIi56k

On Tuesday the 14^th/27^th of May 2014, His Majesty King Abdullah ibn Hussein of Jordan received at the palace delegates of Orthodox Churches, headed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

The meeting took place at the invitation of the king (see photo) addressed to the Heads of Orthodox Churches through Patriarch Theophilos. Positively responding to the invitation were the Patriarchates of Russia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

The distinguished delegates arrived in Jordan on the day before the Meeting.

On the evening of Monday the 13^th/26^th of May 2014 they were hosted to dinner by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict, in the presence of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and the Hegoumen at Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymus.

His Majesty the King of Jordan received the delegates on Tuesday the 14^th/27^th of May, for lunch at the palace.

At the beginning of lunch, His Majesty the King welcomed the Patriarch and Church delegates as “brothers”, congratulating them on their participation in that historical meeting and in the scheduled assembly at the Lord’s baptismal site. The assembly, held in favour of a peaceful coexistence of religions, contributes to the efforts made by Jordan in the context of its custodianship of both Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, towards supporting Christian and Muslims in Jerusalem and the occupied areas against the challenges of extreme Israeli elements.

The Jordanian Government, according to the King, continues to have its say over the frozen but not ceased negotiations between the Israeli and the Palestinians, and can already see their results, while several other issues are expected to be resolved too, such as the Jerusalem question. The King went on to say that they wanted for the churches to look at Jordan as an open door for positive response and the royal Hashemite family as their supporter.

On the evening of the aforementioned day, the representatives of Churches assembled on the site of the Lord’s baptismal, on the Easter Bank of the river Jordan, at the Monastery of St John the Baptist, erected by Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia.

There, the Patriarch of Jerusalem put on a mantle and a pallium before they all prayed for reconciliation, understanding, peace and justice. The Arab-speaking choir of the Bishopric in Amman chanted in Greek and Arabic.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos went on to recite a wish for peach. Likewise, all representatives of the Orthodox Churches recited a wish for peace in their own language.

The Patriarch then addressed all those present in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/05/27/7172

After His address, His Beatitude offered Prince Emir Ghazi and each delegate an icon of Theotokos, before hosting all to dinner at the “Four Seasons” hotel in Amman.

From the Secretariat-General

Jordan, 27 May 2014

Your Royal Highness Your Beatitudes, Your Eminences, Your Graces,

Beloved Monastics,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is our distinct honor and our great privilege to welcome you all to this Holy Site on this historic occasion. Never before have so many hierarchs of the Orthodox Church throughout the world gathered here at the site of the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ to pray and to take counsel together for the well-being of the Holy Land, our Church, and all our people.

We wish to express our profound gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II for making this gathering possible, and for the example of leadership that he exercises on the world stage on behalf of all the people of this region. His Majesty stands in succession to a long line of eminent leaders that includes His Majesty’s late father, King Hussein, as well as his great grandfather and great- great grandfather, and that stretches back to the 7^th century, when the Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab and Patriarch Sophronios approved their momentous agreement that still forms the basis for much of our common life.

This tradition of leadership has ensured the support of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the spiritual integrity of the Holy Places, up to and including the Jordanian-Palestinian Agreement which was signed by His Majesty and President Mahmoud Abbas on 31 March 2013, and which continues to guarantee crucial historic relationships and responsibilities.

At a time of great complexity and challenge in our region and around the world, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a principal example of a society in which there is peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, freedom of worship, and interfaith harmony. We know that the human family, regardless of ethnicity, religion, language, or culture, shares a common human destiny, and it is incumbent upon us all, both in the civic and the religious realm, to foster peace, reconciliation, and dignity.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as the Mother of all the Churches and as the oldest religious institution in our region, carries out a unique spiritual mission. Christians are a part of the natural fabric of society in the Middle East, and the integrity of our region depends on a strong, vibrant, living Christian presence in this land. Our brother Patriarchs and Heads of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches around the world share our commitment to this mission, and we are grateful to you, dear brothers, for your presence here today, and for the sign of our unity that your presence signifies. We encourage you to continue in your support of the Christian community of the Holy Land and the Middle East.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem remains dedicated to serving all our people, as well as the countless pilgrims who visit the Holy Places throughout the year. The Holy Land is home to the three monotheistic faiths and their believers, but in fact it is the true home of every person of good will. For here humanity has encountered God in a special and particular way, and this land is the source of both light and refreshment for weary souls. With the assistance of the civil authorities, whose role is to ensure the proper privileges of our religious communities and with the collaboration of our fellow Christians around the world, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is able to be a true witness and a true minister to all and for all.

May God bless this gathering, and may we find in this place where our Lord Jesus Christ himself was immersed in the waters of baptism, the wisdom and strength to lead our congregations and to live faithfully and graciously, for the well-being of all the peoples of this region, and especially of our beloved Kingdom.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On the afternoon of Monday the 13^th/26^th of May 2014, a meeting took place on the Mount of Olives between His Holiness Pope Francis and His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. The meeting, held at the latter’s summer residence on the Mount of Olives, commemorated the 1964 encounter between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras with Patriarch Benedict of Jerusalem.

At the meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch was accompanied by His Metropolitans, and Pope Francis by His cardinals. Accompanying the Patriarch of Jerusalem were the Patriarchal Commissioner, Archbishop Isychios of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Evlogios.

The Pope was received at Little Galilee by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and was guided through the forecourt of the Church of Viri Galilaei to His Beatitude’s summer residence, where they were both welcomed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Patriarchal Commissioner and the Elder Secretary-General.

At the residence, the two Heads of Churches were briefly left alone for a private conversation, before Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem offered each an icon of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher with a personal dedication.

The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Jerusalem went on to introduce their Prelates to the Pope, with the Pope reciprocating by introducing His own retinue. Silver pectoral crosses were subsequently offered by the Pope to the Heads of Constantinople and Jerusalem and their retinues.

The three Primates then went outside in the forecourt and blessed friends of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as other guests.

This marked the conclusion of the meeting on the Mount of Olives between the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

From the Secretariat-General

On the evening of Sunday, the 12^th/25^th of May 2014, at 7:00 pm, His Holiness Pope Francis I met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Holy Sepulcher, in commemoration of the meeting held fifty years ago between their predecessors, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI.

The meeting was hosted by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem jointly with the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and the Brotherhood of the Franciscans Monks, according to the schedule drafted by both.

As per this schedule, Pope Francis, accompanied by the Custodian of the Holy Land, f. Pierrebatista Pizzaballa and the Armenian Patriarch Nourhan, proceeded to the Court of the Church of the Resurrection from the Muristan quarter, through the Gate of the Gethsemane Dependency, whereas His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Primates accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, walked from the Patriarchate along Christian Street through St Helen’s Gate.

From these two Gates, the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch proceeded to the beginning and the center of the Courtyard of the Church of the Resurrection, and exchanged embraces as a testament of love and the will to continue the theological dialogue initiated fifty years ago.

From there, the two Primates proceeded to the Gate of the Church of the Resurrection, where they were received by the three Abbots of the Church, namely Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, the Franciscan and the Armenian Abbots.

Subsequently, the Primates venerated the Stone of the Holy Apokathelosis. The Greek choir of the Church of the Resurrection, under the direction of the head cantor, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted, as the two Patriarchs walked to the Holy Sepulcher.

In front of the Holy Aedicula, the two Primates took their places whereas a crowd of 400 faithful had already been seated.

As the crowd observed in silence, His Beatitude Theophilos delivered an address in English, on behalf of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Franciscans and the Armenians, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/05/25/7064

The address was followed by hymns and the Evangelical pericopes of the Resurrection, and speeches delivered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis.

“Our father” was then recited in Italian by Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch, whereas guests recited the same prayer in their native tongues.

Of note is the fact that the hymns were sang and the Evangelical pericopes recited in the absence of sacerdotal vestments, because of the lack of full communion between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

At the end of this ceremony, the Primates and a small retinue venerated the Golgotha.

From there, the Primates and their guests were hosted to a reception at the Latin Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/TU4aj2BUdeY

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER, 25 May 2014

An Address on the Occasion of the Visit of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I and His Holiness Pope Francis I to the Church of the Anastasis in Commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Meeting of the late Patriarch Athenagoras I and the late Pope Paul VI in Jerusalem in 1964

Your Holiness Pope Francis and Your All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew,

Christ is risen!

As we gather here in this sacred place before the Most Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ in commemoration of the historic meeting 50 years ago of the late Patriarch Athenagoras I and the late Pope Paul VI, we recall the words that we pray with great intention at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom:

For the peace of the whole world,

for the stability of the holy Churches of God,

and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

We to whom divine providence has entrusted the guardianship and diakonia of the Holy Places, and to whom the pastoral ministry to the Christian communities of the Holy Land has been committed, welcome Your Holiness Pope Francis and Your All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to this gathering in the bright and glorious light of the resurrection. Our gathering here is a confirmation and a celebration of the common path towards reconciliation and full communion that began 50 years ago in this very place.

In the course of the last half-century, we have enjoyed the fruits of deepening theological dialogue between our Churches. This dialogue has fostered encounters between our faithful, removed all sorts of obstacles between us, encouraged reconciliation, prompted the healing of unfortunate memories, and been an example to Christians of other communities to seek a more profound and enduring unity in Christ.

According to Saint Makarios of Egypt, “the Lord came on this earth to suffer on behalf of all and to buy them back with his blood and to put the heavenly leaven of goodness into faithful souls.” He also said that the Lord continues to perfect in faithful souls “all virtues until they are leaven into one in the good and they can become with the Lord One Spirit'” (Hom. 24:3).

Our commitment to the pilgrimage of unity is precisely this: to grow in the perfection of the virtues so that the heavenly leaven that makes us one Spirit with the Lord may rise in us, and be a sign of hope for a world in despair and confusion. For, as Saint Makarios wrote, “without this heavenly leaven which is the power of the divine Spirit it is impossible” for us to “be leavened with the goodness of the Lord and so reach life.”

We pray today not only for the union of our Churches and for the union of all, but also for the peace of the world, and particularly for the peace of this region, which is the cradle of peace. We remember our sisters and brothers and all innocent victims in blood-soaked Syria.

The Holy Places in this Holy Land are the eloquent martyria of our faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, “who is now crowned with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:9). The Holy Places are the common refuge of humanity, and they shine with the brightness of the true Light, a beacon of peace and spiritual refreshment for all.

On behalf of our brothers, the Custos of the Holy Land and the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem, and the other Heads of Churches and Christian communities gathered here, we call upon God our Father that the light of resurrection that shines from the Most Holy Tomb of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ may enlighten our minds and warm our hearts, so that the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of unity and the Spirit of the bond of love, may guide our steps towards the fullness of that unity for which Christ prayed.

Ο Christ the true Light, you enlighten and sanctify every person who comes into the world: may the light of your countenance shine upon us, that in your light we may see the unapproachable Light. And direct our steps to the keeping of your commandments; through the intercession of your Most Holy Mother and all the Saints.

 (From The First Hour)

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Sunday the 12^th/25^th of May 2014, the Sunday of the Blind Man, a Joint Patriarchal Service was performed at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, were: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Most Reverend Metropolitans – Gennadios of Italy and Meliti; Ioannis of Pergamos; Iacovos of Prince Islands; Emmanuel of France; and Gennadios of Sasima –and His Eminence Archbishop Job of Telmissos. Co-officiating on behalf of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem were the Most Reverend Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth and Isychios of Kapitolias; their Eminences Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila and Damascene of Joppe; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; their Eminences Archbishops Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda, Philoumenos of Pella and Nektarios of Anthedon. Other concelebrants included Priests from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Archdeacons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Archdeacon Evlogios. The choir chanted under the direction of the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos. In attendance was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, as well as a great crowd from Jerusalem and Greece, America, Australia, Russia and other Orthodox countries. Numerous pious pilgrims attended the closing of the Joint Service because of street safety measures (taken in view of the meeting between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and the Franciscan Custodian, f. Pierrebatista Pizaballa).

At the Katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection, after the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Theophilos addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch in Greek. Following a reply speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered His Beatitude a fine set of engolpiya and a Silver Chalice.

After Communion and the Apolysis of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarchal Retinue from Constantinople left for their hotel amidst bells ringing, whereas the Jerusalemite Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/sVPLxy1hugw

httpv://youtu.be/JLxn2m8oUsk

httpv://youtu.be/SCTj-sHZrTE