On Thursday, the 18^th of April/1^st of May 2014, Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland and His retinue, accompanied by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, visited the holy shrines in the region of Galilee.

The Archbishop first visited the shrine of the Annunciation in Nazareth, where a supplication was made, and Doxology held.

At noon, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, hosted the Prelatic retinue to lunch at the Bishopric.

From there, the Archbishop of Finland visited Kana in Galilee, and the Holy Monasteries of Tiberias, Capernaum and Mount Tabor, warmly received by their Hegoumens, respectively: Archimandrite Chrysostomos, Archimandrite Timotheos, monk f. Eirinarchos and Archimandrite Hilarion.

At the end of his visit, His Eminence the Archbishop of Finland thanked the Lord and the Hagiotaphite Fathers before returning to Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General 

On Wednesday the 17^th/30^th of April 2014, His Eminence, Archbishop Leo of Finland and His retinue, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, continued his pilgrimage tour in the framework of an official visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, starting from the city of Bethlehem.
There, he was welcomed in an official reception, akin to that reserved for the Patriarch of Jerusalem on the feast of Christmas, in the court of the Basilica of the Nativity with banners and cherubim, by priests officially dressed. From there, he crossed the Basilica according to the right of the Orthodox.

In procession, the Archbishop proceeded to venerate at the Holy Cavern, the Star and the Manger before reading out the Evangelical Pericope on the Nativity, after which a supplication was made and Doxology performed.

Subsequently, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan, hosted the Archbishop of Finland and His Retinue to lunch in the presence of representatives of the government and the flock.

On the afternoon of the same day, the Archbishop of Finland visited the Holy Monastery of St Sabba the Sanctified in the desert of Judea, the Holy Monastery of the Shepherds in the Village of the Shepherds, and of the Prophet Elias near Theotokos’ Sit.

The hegoumens of these Monasteries, Archimandrites Evdokimos, Ignatios and Ierotheos, courteously welcomed the Archbishop of Finland and His Retinue.

From the Secretariat-General 

On Wednesday the 17^th/30^th of April 2014, Princess Margareta of Romania, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and HRH Prince Radu, visited the Patriarchate.

These highly esteemed visitors were warmly received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The prince couple reported how happy and touched they were for being received by the Patriarch of the Mother of Churches during the period of the resurrection, and that they had already been received by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Patriarchate of Serbia and the Patriarchate of Georgia.

The prince and princess were accompanied by the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Andrea Păstârnac, in the framework of their visit to the state of Israel, between 30 April and 1 May, in their official capacity as prince and princess, recognized by the state of Romania.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude talked about the Patriarchate’s pastoral and peace-making work, from its beginning to this day, in the multi-religious, multinational and inflammable political setting of the Middle East.

During the visit, His Beatitude offered the prince couple pectoral crosses and the book on the History of the Church of Jerusalem by Chrysostomos Papadopoulos.

Extending thanks for the gifts, the prince and princess went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher, where they were received by the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/lmplAfrggDE

On Tuesday the 16^th/29^th of April 2014, His Eminence, Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, accompanied by three clerics, a nun and a subdeacon.

Earlier on the same day, the Archbishop of Finland was welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan, and the Director of the Christian Affairs Department at the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr Cesar Margie.

At 6:00 pm of the same day, the Archbishop of Finland was officially welcomed at David’s Gate by the representative of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarchal Commissioner Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, and Hagiotaphite Fathers. Also present were representatives of the Christian Churches in Jerusalem, Mr Cesar Margie, the Finnish Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, and a crowd of Orthodox people.

From there, they walked to the Patriarchate to meet His Beatitude Theophilos and, amidst bells ringing, they proceeded to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

There, the two Prelates venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis whereas the Archbishop of Finland blessed the burned incense.

They went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher, where the Gospel of the Resurrection was read out in Finnish by the Archbishop of Finland.

From there they entered the Katholikon, where Doxology was performed.

After Doxology, His Beatitude made an address in Greek, reached here in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/29/6588

The addresses were followed by veneration at the Holy Golgotha and return to the Patriarchates.

At the Patriarchates, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem addressed the Archbishop of Finland in Greek, reached here in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/29/6584

His Beatitude went on to decorate the Archbishop of Finland with the Grand Cross of the Knights Order of the Holy Sepulcher for His contribution to ecclesiastical life and the prevalence of justice and peace. He also offered Him a set of prelatic engolpiya, an icon of Theotokos and the book of Chrysostomos Papadopoulos on the Church of Jerusalem. Also offered were Jerusalemite icons to the members of His retinue.

Extending thanks for the decoration and reception, His Eminence the Archbishop of Finland offered His Beatitude a miraculous icon of Theotokos from the Monastery of Valamo of the Orthodox Church of Finland, bearing the name “Jerusalemite”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/UIzrodV6UZI

JERUSALEM, APRIL 29, 2014

Your Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland,

beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ,

Our joy and emotion has increased and culminates in the recent veneration of Fearful Golgotha and of the All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of the Lord and on the occasion of the visit of your most beloved Eminence to this historic hall of our ancient Patriarchate.

We are especially joyful that we are receiving Your Eminence, our beloved brother in Christ, as the chosen Primate and distinguished shepherd of the autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, which is distinguished and praised for its Orthodox spirit, for its pastoral and social support of its members, for its organization, for its cultivation of peaceful dialogue, which furthers its peaceful coexistence with the other Christian confessions of faith in Finland, as well as its residents, who are lovers of peace, peaceful and meek.

Our predecessor, the ever-memorable Patriarch Dositheos of Jerusalem, named our venerable Brotherhood of the All-Holy Tomb a “holy house.” In our “home,” We rejoice at the opportunity to welcome Your most beloved Eminence today with great joy, and We share this with you, viewing Your Eminence not as a simple pilgrim who has received hospitality, but as a member of Our “home.”

Thus, it is with brotherly and hospitable disposition of soul that We welcome Your Eminence and your honorable delegation, intending to accompany Your Eminence in your entrances and exits during these days of pilgrimage theoria (i.e. contemplation), so that we may all together experience in the Holy Land the revealed mystery of our salvation in the divine face and the salvific work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that we may also be strengthened to faithfully serve the flocks entrusted to Us and to serve all people for the praise of Orthodoxy and glory of our Triune God. Amen.

 His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, APRIL 29 2014.

Your Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland,

beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ,

Our most good Lord granted the Church of Jerusalem, the Mother of all Churches, worthy to complete its official visit to the autonomous sister of Church of Finland, piously shepherded by Your most beloved and profound Eminence. In His wise providence, He has now made the Church of Finland worthy to reciprocate its official visit, receiving the proper honors within the framework of this ecclesiastical institution.

On the occasion of this historical and ecclesiastical event, the official reception of Your Eminence at the Tower of David with the honorable full participation of our Orthodox flock, the local authorities and the representatives of the Christian Churches in the Holy Land. Now we are venerating in the glory of our Christian faith, i.e. the Most Venerable the Church of the Anastasis, the Holy Apokathelosis, Fearful Golgotha, the place of redemption due to the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, and the All-Holy Tomb, in which death was trampled upon by death and we, His creation, with the Risen Christ are raised.

We thank and glorify Christ our God from the depths of our soul, who made Us worthy to realize this meeting and We ask of Him, as He sends Us His heavenly strength for the completion of the pastoral work of Our Churches and His peace, a peace only given by Him and not by the world. We ask that His peace be given to the entire world, to those plagued by phenomena of violence and of the economic crisis and to each non-peaceful region of the Middle East, especially the blood-trodden country of Syria and Our neighboring sister Orthodox Church of Antioch.

Having within us the knowledge concerning the various gifts of God in our life and bringing with us now the strength of the Holy Cross after venerating at Fearful Golgotha, and the joy and exultation of the joyous Resurrection after venerating the All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb, come let us ascend to the Patriarchate so that we can further enjoy the company of Your most beloved Eminence, and so that we can spiritually rejoice together and collaborate toward the progress and good care of the flocks entrusted to Us and glory to our Triune God.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On the afternoon of Monday the 15^th/28^th of April 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Hieronymos, Hegoumen at Fhes, paid a visit to the Qatari Ambassador to Jordan, Mr Zaed Al-Hajri.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of this meeting, regarding the economic strengthening of the state of Qatar, provided after examination, revision and transparency so that it may be used in an uncorrupted manner by struggling peoples for their development.

Similarly, reference was made to the presence of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Qatar through its church and its representative there, His Eminence Makarios, Archbishop of Qatar. The said presence was initiated when the current Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the time an Archimandrite, visited Qatar upon the approval of the late Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem.

Fervent wishes were expressed for the continuation of this collaboration, for the benefit of Qatari citizens and inhabitants, Muslims and Christians alike.

From the Secretariat-General

Since Bright Wednesday, the 10^th/23^rd of April 2014 onwards, Pascal visits were made to the Patriarchate by members of Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Communities hailing from Jerusalem and other cities and towns within the Patriarchate’s jurisdiction, namely Bethlehem, Beit-Jala, Shepherds Village, Jifna, Birzet, Ramla and Aboud. Visits were also made by pilgrims from Russia, Romania and Serbia.

These visitors, clerics and laymen alike, were received with Pascal wishes by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem. The visitors chanted “Christ Has Risen” and “The Day of Resurrection” in Greek and in their own language. His Beatitude extended His wishes for the feast of Easter and offered them Paschal eggs and Jerusalemite eulogias.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/83tYRQpO830

On Sunday, the 14^th/27^th of April 2014, the World Interfaith Harmony Day was observed in Amman, Jordan. The day was proposed by the Royal Hashemite family and adopted by a UN resolution in 2010.

The event has been established by the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as an encounter between religious agents, both Christians and Muslims, laymen and clerics alike, for the fight against religious fanaticism, religious unrest, violence and terrorism, and the cultivation of potentials for religious coexistence within modesty, peace, concord and harmony.

The event, which took place in Amman, at the Royal Hashemite Court, was attended by H.M. King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi. Sheik Ali Gomaa of Egypt, Munib Younan, the Lutheran Bishop in Jerusalem, and Princess Areej Ghazi, all gave speeches.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and the Most Reverend Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen at Fhes.

His Beatitude spoke in English after Sheik Ali Gumaa of Egypt: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/27/6600

Following the speeches, His Majesty the King presented the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Prizes for the World Interfaith Harmony Week, to the following:

The first prize went to the Silsilah dialogue movement in Zamboanga City, the Philippines. The second prize went to Mr Saeed Khan Falahi, and the third prize was shared between the Jamal Farghaly Secondary School for Boys in Egypt and Mr. Michael Boyondo and Mrs. Irene Bulindi of Uganda for “Faiths Together”.

The Panel of Judges for the Awards consisted of: Princess Areej Ghazi, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem; Sheik Dr Ai Gomaa; Bishop Munib Younan; Father Nabil Haddad; Dr Minwer Al Mheid and Mr Aftab Ahmed.

From the Secretariat-General

Amman, 27 April 2014

Your Majesty,

Your Royal Highnesses,

Our Fellow Judges,

Distinguished Honorees,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the year 2010, at the initiative and encouragement of Your Majesty, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution A/65, establishing the first week of February each year as World Interfaith Harmony Week. This action crowned over a decade of commitment by the General Assembly to focus the attention of the world in the creation of a culture of peace-building, non-violence, and mutual understanding among the faithful of different religious traditions, and it also highlighted the commitment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to this crucial endeavor.

The first Interfaith harmony Week took place in 2011, and the first awards ceremony occurred last year. Each year commitment to the goals and ideals of this week has increased around the world and has contributed to the transformation of the life of local communities, especially communities under pressure. This is the great gift of both the Resolution of the General Assembly and of the Royal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, which established the prizes we are awarding today. For however lofty ourgoals, however articulate our commitment, we recognize that nothing is real unless it is local.

Changes in human society happen at many levels, from leaders and governments all the way to the grassroots. We know that unless there is willingness and an openness to change in our local communities, any hope for genuine and lasting change in society will not bear fruit. The love of God and the love of neighbour are not simply nice ideas; they are commandments at the heart of the wood’s great religious traditions, and they must find a secure place in each human heart.

The great gift of World Interfaith Harmony Week is the emphasis that we place on the work of organizations and groups at the local level, where the lives of so many are touched and transformed directly, and where the love of God and the love of neighbour find tangible, practical application. This annual prize-giving ceremony not only awards those who have done outstanding work in this arena; it also highlights the many ventures around the world – a growing number each year – which seek to promote those values and virtues that are vital to the common human future that we must build together.

We congratulate this year’s prize winners, and we encourage all those others who have shared with us the work that you are doing around the world. We bring to all of you the spiritual blessings of Jerusalem, the city that is holy and dear to us all. All people of peace and good will are the children of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem stands, as it has stood for millennia as a beacon of hope in a troubled and anxious world.

May God bless us all as we seek to live more completely the commandment to love God and our neighbor, and May God give us all the strength and courage to advance the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week wherever we live and work.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem