On Sunday the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2014, namely Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry of the Lord into Jerusalem was commemorated by the Patriarchate, as the day when the children of the Jews chanted “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who cometh” and welcomed Him with branches of palm trees.

1. In the afternoon

Vespers for the feast was held at 2 pm, first at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, where the 9^th Hour was read out, followed by progression to the All-Holy Church of the Resurrection, amidst bells ringing.

After venerating at the interior of the Holy Sepulcher and at the Angel’s Stone, His Beatitude gave blessings and rose to the throne, while Prelates and members of the Synod venerated at the Golgotha, and Hierodeacons burnt incense along the holy shrines.

The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted alongside Monk Joseph from Mount Athos. Vespers was led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, with Prelates co-praying from within the Holy Bema. At the conclusion of Vespers, the Patriarchal retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates.

II. Palm Sunday from Bethphage

At the conclusion of Vespers, most of the participating faithful ascended to Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives.

There, His Beatitude Theophilos blessed the branches at the Holy Monastery of Palm Sunday, founded by the late Archbishop Gregorios of Tiberias, and assigned Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias with leading the holy procession of the litany. The procession imitates the triumphal Entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, “where the sons of the Jews chanted Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who cometh”.

The procession began from Bethphage and passed through Gethsemane where the crowd held branches and chanted Palm Sunday troparia, before concluding in the direction of the Lions’ Gate or St Stephen’s Gate, at the Holy Monastery of St Anna, where it was dispersed.

1. In the morning

On the day of the feast, at 07:00 am, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded from the gates of the Central Monastery to the Church of the Resurrection through Christian Street.

Upon entrance into the Church and the Holy Bema through Golgotha, His Beatitude proceeded to venerate, as the Holy Sepulcher at that precise moment was held by the Franciscans, celebrating Easter concurrently with the Orthodox.

Once His Beatitude and the Prelates were dressed in prelatic attire, they proceeded to the area in front of the “Navel of the Earth” and the Divine Liturgy began.

The Divine Liturgy was led by His Beatitude Theophilos. Co-officiating was the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Most Reverend George, Metropolitan of Nizhny-Novgorod and Arzamas, visiting from the Patriarchate of Russia; the Most Reverend Nikolaos, Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; their Eminences Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constanina, Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda; the Very Reverend Bishop Theodosios of Prizren, visiting from the Patriarchate of Serbia; and His Eminence the Archbishop of Vitebsk and Orsansk, also visiting from the Church of Russia. Also present were Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Archdeacon Evlogios, deacons Martyrios, Dionysios and Timotheos from the Metropolis of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki. The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted with Monk Joseph of Mount Athos in the presence of a large crowd of Orthodox from Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine and Romania. Attending the service was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his esteemed wife.

At the conclusion of this magnificent Divine Liturgy, a procession began from the Holy Bema, moving thrice around the Holy Aedicula along the Holy Shrines before returning to the Holy Aedicula, where the Evangelic pericope was read out and a supplication was made.

Once the procession was completed, the Patriarchal Retinue ascended to the Patriarchates.

There, His Beatitude addressed all those present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/HWhTmP_No-M

httpv://youtu.be/nRqS_TUpVyA

httpv://youtu.be/G_uqbCYE9Aw

httpv://youtu.be/FxjxD9_kasg

The Exarchy of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus would like to inform the Orthodox faithful that, upon the blessing of His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of Cyprus, the Holy Light shall be transferred to Cyprus from Jerusalem on the Holy Saturday, namely the 19^th of May 2014. The Holy Light shall be carried on a special flight for the blessing of the faithful in view of the Easter celebrations. The Holy Light shall be received by the Most Reverend Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Kition, during a special ceremony at Larnaka Airport, at 18:30 pm, in the presence of other officials and faithful.

The Holy Light shall be accompanied from Jerusalem by the Most Reverend Timotheos, Metropolitan of Bostroi and Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher to Cyprus; as well as by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Hieronymos, appointed by the Holy Archbishopric. The two of them will subsequently take the Holy Light to His Beatitude Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus, and to the Exarchy Church (in the vicinity of St Antony Church at 4, Archimandrite Kyprianos) so that from there it may be distributed to pious Priests and the faithful at approximately 20:00.

From the Exarchy Administration

Tel: 99220090 and 22670626

Fax: 22670627

I. In Bethany

On Saturday, the 30^th of March/11^th of April 2014, namely the Saturday of Lazarus, the raising of the righteous Lazarus “of the four days”, friend of Jesus, was commemorated in Bethany, at the Convent dedicated to Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, and at his tomb.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; the Most Reverend Metropolitan Theodosios, visiting from the Patriarchate of Serbia; the Most Reverend Nikolaos, Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; Hagiotaphite Archimandrites and Presbyters, visiting from the Church of Greece; Archdeacon Evlogios and other hierodeacons, cantors visiting from Cyprus, and fathers Joseph and Joseph from Mount Athos. A great crowd of Orthodox faithful from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Cyprus and Romania participated in devoutness and piety.

To this pious flock, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

After Communion and the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude proceeded to the Abbess’ quarters, where nun Eupraxia treated both Him and guests from the Municipal Authority of the town of Bethany to refreshments.

Subsequently, a procession began from the Monastery to the tomb of Lazarus, led by His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda. There, the pericope on the Raising of Lazarus was read out, followed by a supplication, which sealed the feast in Bethany.

II. On the Site of the Ascension

The feast of the raising of Lazarus was also celebrated on the Mount of Olives and the Site of the Ascension, due to its adjacency to Bethany.

Vespers for the feast was held at the Pilgrimage Site of the Ascension, where lies the foot trace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the ruins of a Byzantine Church, now converted into a mosque. Before the ceremony of the Vespers, a wish was read out on a desecrated Holy Altar, exposed outdoors.

Vespers was led by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, and was followed by a procession to Little Galilee, where stands the church of Galili Viri. There, in the presence of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the First Eothinon Gospel was read out, a supplication was made, and the Patriarchal Polychronism chanted, before the procession proceeded to the Ascension site.

On the site, the Divine Liturgy was performed, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Isychios of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons, cantors from Greece, students at the Patriarchal School of Sion and the cantors of St James Cathedral, under Mr Rimon Kamar. Praying in devoutness were local Arab-speaking faithful from Jerusalem and elsewhere, praising God that His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, raised Lazarus from the dead.

A festive reception followed at the Monastery of the Ascension, offered by the Hegoumen, monk Achillios.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/EXeF1Ui1ni0

httpv://youtu.be/BL_1bOzelE8

FROM MARCH 30/ APRIL 12 UNTIL APRIL 7/ APRIL 20 2014

Palm Saturday:

Vespers:  3 p.m.

Palm Sunday:

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  8 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

Holy Monday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha):  9 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

Holy Tuesday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha): 9 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom: 6:15 p.m.

Holy Wednesday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha): 9 a.m.

Holy Thursday:

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Cathedral Church of St. Iakovos: 6:30 a.m.

Service of the Niptiros (Washing of Feet): 9 a.m.

Holy Friday:

The Great Hours (Golgotha): 10 a.m.

Vespers: 3 p.m.

Service of the Epitaphios: 10 p.m.

Holy Saturday:

Service of the Holy Light: 1 p.m.

Service of the Resurrection: 1 (midnight)

Divine and Holy Pascha:

Service of the Second Day of the Resurrection: 1 p.m.

FROM THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

From March 31/April 13 until April 8/April 21 2014 

Palm Sunday:

-Orthros and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  5:00 a.m.

-Vespers:  3:30 p.m. 

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

Great and Holy Monday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Great Compline:  3:30 p.m.

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 Great and Holy Tuesday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Great Compline:  3:30 p.m.

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 Great and Holy Wednesday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Small Compline and Holy Unction:  5:00 p.m.

 Great and Holy Thursday:

-Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great:  4:30 a.m.

-Service of the Passion:  6:15 p.m.

 Great and Holy Friday: 

-Service of the Great Hours:  9:00 a.m.

-Vesper: 3:00 p.m

-Service of the Epitaphios:  11:00 p.m.

 Great and Holy Saturday:

-Hours and Divine Liturgy of Basil the Great:  8:00 a.m.

Divine and Holy Pascha:

-Orthros and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: 1:10 a.m.

Second Day of Pascha:

-Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  7:00 a.m.

FROM THE CHURCH OF SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN

A. In Nazareth

On Monday, the 25^th of March/7^th of April 2014, the feast of the Annunciation was celebrated in Nazareth, where the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to announce to the ever virgin Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and of her would be born the Son and Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human kind.

Nazareth, first cited in the New Testament, has always been one of the largest towns in Galilee. Today it numbers approximately 90.000 inhabitants, of whom 18.000 are Christian Orthodox.

At the center of the old town lies the pilgrimage site, the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, where the Annunciation took place.

After a three-hour ride, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Nazareth on the aforementioned day and first proceeded to the Metropolis. There, he was received by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, priests from Nazareth and adjacent towns, as well as the Council of the Rum Orthodox Community of Nazareth.

From the Metropolis, the Patriarchal Retinue, accompanied by Boy Scouts, proceeded to the holy shrine, where they were warmly received by a great crowd.

From there, His Beatitude walked to the area intended for the Divine Liturgy, where he gave blessings and began the Katabasia hymns.

He went on to officiate at the Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth; the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; and the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; hieromonks, Hagiotaphite hegoumens at Northern Israel monasteries; Archimandrite Timotheos of the Monastery of the Holy Apostles in Tiberias; monk Irinaios, the hegoumen at the Monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Capernaum; Archimandrite Hilarion of Mount Tabor Monastery; Archimandrite Chrysostomos of the Monastery of St George the Great Martyr in Cana, Galilee; priests from Nazareth and adjacent towns; Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Attending the service was the President of the Community Council, Mme Afaf Touma with Council members, the Director of the Israeli Religious Affairs Department, Mr Cesar Margie; and the representative of the Hellenic Embassy to Tel Aviv, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and his honourable wife. The Nazareth choir chanted in Arabic while the Accra choir, under Archimandrite Philotheos, chanted in Greek and Arabic alike. A great crowd of Orthodox faithful, including Greek-speaking, Russian-speaking, Arabic-speaking and Romanian-speaking, participated in piety.

To this pious flock, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2014/04/07/12871

And in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/04/07/4593

After Communion and the Apolysis (conclusion), a procession was performed around the holy shrine, led by the Boy Scouts. Fish lunch was then offered to the Patriarchal Retinue and members of the flock by the Metropolitan of Nazareth and the Community Council.

B. In Jerusalem

On the occasion of the feast of the Annunciation, a Divine Liturgy was held at the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane, led by His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons.

The Prelatic retinue was hosted to a reception at the Hegoumen’s Quarters by Archimandrite Nektarios.

C. In Rafidia

A Divine Liturgy commemorating the Annunciation of Theotokos was also held at the Church of the Annunciation in the Rum Orthodox Community of Rafidia, near Jacob’s Well in Neapolis (Nablus). The Liturgy was led by His Eminence Theophanes, Archbishop of Gerassa, and attended by a great crowd from the town’s Orthodox flock.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/PYY9u6jEpM4

httpv://youtu.be/3AYsEqZs-uM

httpv://youtu.be/LFBbb2GgXRU

On Saturday, the 23^rd of March/5^th of April 2014, thirty representatives including the Captain and crew members of the Hellenic Navy “Salamis” frigate, accompanied by Mr Panayiotou, Military Attaché of the Greek Embassy to Tel Aviv, visited the Patriarchate in the context of a naval exercise involving the vessel in collaboration with the Israeli Navy.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, warmly received the delegation and went on to explain how the Hellenic tradition has been maintained in the Holy Land through the centuries. Before leaving the Patriarchate, guests were offered Jerusalemite eulogias.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/X4dhYFXFu94

On Tuesday, the 5^th/18^th of March 2014,  the Pilgrimage Committee of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, consisting of the Chief Dragoman, the Most Reverend Christodoulos, Metropolitan of Eleftheroupolis; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; and the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Athanasios, were received by Chief Superintendent Mr Avi Bitton at the Jaffa Gate Police Department, to whom they delivered the statement they had submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod as regards the measures taken by the Israeli Police during the ceremony of the Holy Light on the Great Saturday of the year 2013.

The statement submitted to the Police may be reached here in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/05/5387

His Beatitude

Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem

Theophilos III

And His Holy and Sacred Synod

Jerusalem

———————–

Your Beatitude,

We, the undersigned members of the Status Quo Committee, the Chief Dragoman His Eminence Metropolitan of Eleftheropolis Christodoulos, the Chief Secretary His Eminence Archbishop of Constantina Aristarchos, the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod His Eminence Archbishop of Lydda Dimitrios and the Superior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher His Eminence Archbishop of Ierapolis Isidoros, proceed in due respect to report to Your Beatitude and the Holy and Sacred Synod about the ceremony of the Holy Fire during the Great Saturday of the current year 2013.

Τo begin with, we would like to clarify that from the ritual point of view and the Status Quo order the ceremony was performed exactly without any lack or deviation.

Our cooperation in our capacity as members of the Status Quo Committee together with the representatives of the Israeli Police in Jerusalem, i.e. the Director of the Jaffa Gate Police Department Mr. Bareket, and his cooperators Mr. Avi, Mr. Johnny, Mr. Alex and Mr. Rafi, was very good, during the days before the great Saturday and also during the Holy Fire Ceremony. We don’t have any complaint about the above mentioned Police representatives.   

 In spite of the above positive elements which we report here, there were incidents of negative behaviour of the Policemen who were on duty at the blockages. This means for us that these policemen were not obeying the orders they had received.

 We report these incidents not in order to criticize the Police but in order not to have them repeated next year.

First, we refer to the episode of the violation of the room of deacon Fr. Dionysios inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and his violent expulsion from it, and his keys confiscated and then returned to him. This happened immediately after the ceremony of Epitaphios on Good Friday. The Police apologized for this behaviour.

 We refer also to the fact that several Greek female pilgrims, as they reported to us, were ousted from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the same night of Holy Friday after the ceremony of the Epitaphios, and were brought to the area of Jaffa Gate and were left there closed, between the barriers, without water or even the possibility of bodily necessity until 4:00 pm of the Great Saturday, after the performance of the Holy Fire Ceremony.

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Chief Secretary’s Office and the Police, the Police was informed about the number and the place of dwelling of the Greek pilgrims and it was agreed that the Greek pilgrims would have the possibility of free movement at about 4:00 a.m. of the Holy Saturday in order to go and hear prayers and have Holy Communion in the Churches of St. Panteleimon near the “Gloria” Hotel, St. Theodoros near ‘Casa Nova” Hotel, Megali Panagia- Der –Il- Banat Monastery opposite the Coptic Khan and in the church of Virgin Mary “Saydanaya” opposite the “Hanque” Mosque.

Unfortunately, these arrangements were not kept. The Chief Secretary, going to the Church of “Saydanaya” for the liturgy at 4;00 a.m. of the Great Saturday, was prevented by a policewoman and could pass only after an intensive quarrel.   

Also, in front of the door of the Church of St. Constantine and Helen, Police put a blockage without any reason and a policewoman prevented from entrance Metropolitan of Neapolis Amvrosios, Metropolitan of Thabor Methodios and Metropolitan of Vostra Timothy. Police closed pilgrims in this church and didn’t allow them to go out. With all this, we think that it is reasonable to ask why are we prevented from proceeding to the prayer on one of the holiest days of Christianity and inside our Convent itself.

In addition the Police didn’t also keep its promises to facilitate the collective proceeding of the Greek pilgrims to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There were pilgrims who entered, being accompanied by a policeman, but the great majority of them were prevented and were enclosed on the terrace of our Central Convent. Greek pilgrims who were concentrated according to the instructions of the Police also outside the Convent of Megali Panagia- Der-Il-Banat remained there waiting until 11:00 a.m. or even until the hour when the Patriarch had already descended to the Holy Sepulchre and were not allowed to enter the Church. At the same time we are glad to say that Russian Pilgrims were entering from Muristan area speedily and without any obstacle.

The Chief Secretary, being accompanied by the policeman Johnny Kasabri, led after the Holy Liturgy on Holy Saturday in Saydanaya about 350 pilgrims through the Street of St. Francis and Hotel “Casa Nova” to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s Road. There a group of the Civil Police disagreed with the police and came and fell upon the pilgrims like upon a herd and divided them into two groups, prevented most of them from entering the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and left them there outside.

So far it concerns the VIP cards, granted by the Patriarchate, it was agreed with the Police that they would allow free access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for their bearers. They were signed by the Police. According to the Police demand they were printed with a special Logo of the Patriarchate so that nobody could forge them. Also according to the Police demand it was written on these cards that their bearers dwelling outside the OldCity should proceed through the New Gate. In spite of this, there were people, holding these cards, who were prevented to proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. As an example of such a treatment concerning the cards, we refer to the fact that the Chief Secretary according to the suggestion of Mr. Avi Biton, asked the policeman Dani, responsible for the terrace area of St. Constantine, to allow to three pilgrims holding these cards to pass and he refused. Complaints about this treatment were made to His Beatitude the Patriarch Himself.

The headmaster of our school teacher and monk Fr. Fotios was descending from the road of the Hotel Casa Nova to the Patriarchate. He asked something of the Policeman on this street and he pushed him violently.

We are sorry to say that the policemen at the blockages were hostile to us and not helpful. On the contrary the Junior Policemen, whose names were mentioned at the beginning, were kind and helpful. It seems that there was no coordination between the leadership of the Police and their staff.

We report all these, objectively and without any prejudice, and we ask that our report be notified to the Police and be considered and used properly, so that next year we can have better treatment by the Police as in last year 2012. This way there will not be bitterness and complaints in the souls of the Greek pilgrims but relief and pleasure and they will proceed in the feast of Easter for the benefit of the Holy Shrines and of the State of Israel.

Having reported all this, we remain,

In Jerusalem, May 14^th, 2013

With respect and love in the Lord,

The members of the Status Quo Committee,

CHRISTODOULOS

Metropolitan of Eleftheropolis, Chief Dragoman.

ARISTARCHOS

Archbishop of Constantina, Chief Secretary.

DIMITRIOS

Archbishop of Lydda, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

 ISIDOROS

Archbishop of Ierapolis, Superior of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Friday, the 22^nd of March/4^th of April 2014, the service of the Akathist Hymn was held at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The service was led by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, having proceeded to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection amidst bells ringing, accompanied by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

During the service, the cantors chanted the Canon of the Akathist Hymn “That I open my mouth…” while the four Stases of the Akathist Hymn were read out as follows: the first by Patriarch Theophilos; the second by the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis; the third by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; and the fourth by the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios. The choir of the Church of the Resurrection performed on the right under the direction of Archimandrite Aristovoulos, while the choir of the Alimos Music School performed on the left under Principal Mr Pouis. A crowd of monks, nuns and pious pilgrims participated, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General.

At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude talked of the figure of Our Lady Theotokos as a model of patience, obedience and Sanctity for all generations, and wished that the congregation have a fruitful period of Lent until the celebration of the Resurrection.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jZpYqV2DC_s

httpv://youtu.be/f8ht1J52vJw