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FESTIVITIES AT THE PATRIARCHAL SCHOOL COMMEMORATING THE 25TH OF MARCH

At 5.00 pm of Tuesday the 12th/25th of March 2014, a school feast took place on the hill of St Sion School to commemorate the 25th of March 1821.

Attending the festivities was His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the President of the School Board and Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Also attending the festivities was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem with his honourable wife and associates of his; Greeks from the Jerusalemite parish, Arab-speaking members of the Greek Orthodox Community of Jerusalem; nuns and pilgrims staying at the Holy Monastery of St Gerasimus of Jordan.

The festive event included a speech by the Acting Principal, philologist and theologian, monk f. Nikolas Zervis, due to illness of Principal Photios. The panegyric of the day was delivered by philologist Mr Theodoros Zygouris. Patriotic songs were performed under the direction of philologist Mr Panayiotis Antoniades, poems recited under the guidance of philologist Mrs Eleni Oikonomou, and two short plays performed under the direction of philologist Mr Constantinos Komodikis.

Both the speeches and the audiovisual material prepared by professor Spyridon Mexis, the recitations, songs, and plays performed by the students – albeit few in number – spoke of the trials, suffering, extermination and finally the rising of our nation after four centuries of cruel and merciless Turkish slavery. The also praised the brave struggles of our Fathers, clerics and laymen alike – Kolokotronis, Karaiskakis, Nikitaras, Markos Botsaris, Makrygiannis, Papaflessas, Athanasios Diakos – as well as thousands of innocent victims piling up from the proclamation of the Revolution by Germanos, Bishop of Old Patras on the 25th of March, until the liberation of our nation and the recognition of an independent state in 1832.

Feelings of pride for the ancestors overwhelmed those attending the festivities, as well as thoughts and speculations on the responsibility of the rulers of our nation and of any Greek citizen to emulate the ethos and way of life of our fathers instead of the numerous dubious and obscure models of contemporary life which have led our country and humanity in general to financial crisis.

Both His Beatitude and the Consul-General congratulated teachers and students on the success of the feast and urged them to devote themselves to the values of our nation and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/TdzCxWmpyLM




DOXOLOGY FOR THE 193rd ANNIVERSARY OF 25 MARCH 1821

In the morning of Tuesday, 12th/25th of March 2014, Doxology was held at the Katholikon of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection to commemorate the 193rd anniversary of the 25th of March 1821.

Leading the Doxology was His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Fathers, Prelates, Priests, monks and deacons, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his honourable wife. Members of the Greek Parish, nuns, pilgrims and friends of Greece prayed with them.

Doxology was made in the form of supplication to God for the repose of the souls of those who fought for their faith and country and died during the battles after the 1821 Revolution; and in the form of praise to God for aiding the liberation of Greece after four centuries of bitter Turkish slavery.

Doxology was followed by progression to the Patriarchates.

There, His Beatitude addressed those present in Greek.

In response, the Consul-General read a Message from the Greek Foreign Minister, before inviting those gathered to a reception at the entrance of the hall. Acting Principal, f. Nikolaos Zervis, invited all to the festivities at the Patriarchal School of St Sion, scheduled to take place in the afternoon.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/0edKnOLwnqw




THE FEAST OF THE VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS AT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Sunday the 10th/23rd of March 2014, the feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross was celebrated by the Patriarchate.

  1. Vespers

From Saturday evening, at 2:00 pm, the 9th Hour was read out at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by official progression to the Church of the Resurrection.

Veneration at the Holy Sepulcher was followed by entry into the katholikon, where the head of the feast, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, rose to the throne, while their Holinesses the Members of the Synod venerated at the Golgotha and deacons performed the censing along the Holy Shrines. Upon conclusion of these, His Beatitude began reading the service of the Introductory Hymn whereas the Anoixantaria Hymns were chanted by cantors, the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, and the choir of the Holy Archbishopric of Athens School of Byzantine Music, under Archimandrite f. Irinaios.

The service of Vespers carried on with the breaking of the bread, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers, monks, nuns and pilgrims.

  1. On the day of the feast

On the morning of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, at 7:00 am, began the official progression to the Church of the Resurrection.

The Divine Liturgy started at the Holy Sepulcher, led by His Beatitude. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; their Eminences, Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda; and Hagiotaphite Archimandrites and Hieromonks. The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, and the choir of the Holy Archbishopric of Athens School of Byzantine Music under Archimandrite f. Irinaios, chanted in the Byzantine style while a crowd of faithful, both locals and pilgrims, participated in piety.

After the Holy Communion and the conclusion of the service, began the procession of the Holy Cross, thrice around the Holy Sepulcher and along the Holy Shrines.

This concluded the feast in the Church, before the official progression to the Patriarchates. There, His Beatitude addressed all present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Tdkixdpgano

httpv://youtu.be/z4uMKwkmfdU




PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM DECORATES CYPRIOT CHRISTOS PANTELIS

On Saturday the 9th/22nd of March 2014, H.B. Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, conferred upon Cypriot pilgrim Mr Christos Pantelis, the title of Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

For more than twenty years now, Mr Christos Pantelis has been the Director of the Byzantine Choir and President of the Association of Cypriot Pilgrims to the Holy Sepulcher. Mr Pantelis and his choir chant during the feasts of the Holy Monastery of Hojeva and on His Beatitude’s name-day. They visit in the company of pilgrims who have greatly contributed to the conservation of the All-holy Pilgrimage Sites, and financed the painting of icons, for instance the iconostasis of the town of Pkea Community in Northern Israel. They have also contributed towards the purchase of church vessels and the baptismal of infants from our congregation.

For his contribution to the choir and the Church as a whole, especially the Church of Jerusalem, His Beatitude conferred upon Mr Christos Pantelis this Hagiotaphite honorary title, inviting him to devote himself to similar activities for Northern Jordan too, where His Eminence Philoumenos, Archbishop of Pella, has been serving as Commissioner for the past year.

Touched and extending his thanks to His Beatitude, Mr Pantelis pledged to carry on supporting the work of the Church of Sion with the same zeal.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/9WnbFIK75nk




THIRD STASIS OF SALUTATIONS IN RAFIDIA COMMUNITY

On Friday the 8th/21st of March 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, and Archdeacon f. Evlogios, arrived at the Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Community of  Rafidia, within the city of Neapolis (Nablus) wherein stands Jacob’s Well.

Half the community reside at the edge of Nablus, where lies the older Church of St Demetrius the Great Martyr, whereas the other half live at the center of the new city of Nablus, where a Church dedicated to the Annunciation of Theotokos has been recently erected.

In this church, His Beatitude led the service for the Third Stasis of the Salutations to the All Holy Theotokos. Co-officiating were the Metropolitan of Kapitolias; Archimandrite Ioustinos, who serves as Head of the Community and Hegoumen at Jacob’s Well; and Archdeacon Evlogios.

His Beatitude addressed the pious congregation in Greek.

After the service, His Beatitude was informed by the Council of problems facing the Community, the gravest of which is the appointment of a permanent priest.

The service of the Salutations was broadcast live from the Katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection via the Patriarchate’s radio station. The choir of the Athens Archbishopric School of Byzantine Music, under Archimandrite Irineos, participated in the service alongside the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/8c46HzxuhEk

httpv://youtu.be/wcCOFz0tZWQ




“FOUR HOMES OF MERCY” IN BETHANY, OF THE LATE H. SIKSEL

On Thursday the 7th/20th of March 2014, Ms Randa Siksek and Ms Nadia George Karaa visited His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in order to extend their thanks over the fact that He led the funeral service for the late Henrietta Siksek, who passed away on Saturday the 2nd/15th of March 2014, at the age of 96.

The late Henrietta Siksek was the founder of a very significant charitable project known as “Four Homes of Mercy” in Bethany. The foundation, of the Siksek family, provided shelter to thousands of elder people and children abandoned by their families, people suffering from incurable mental and other diseases. Today, the “Four Homes of Mercy” hosts approximately seventy residents.

During His meeting with Ms Randa Siksek, a relative of the late Henrietta Siksek, and Ms Nadia George Karaa, current Director of the “Homes”, His Beatitude praised the selfless and extensive charitable work of the late H. Siksek. In order to contribute to the continuation of this work, His Beatitude offered the amount of €10.000 to be deposited into a special bank account, its savings intended for the education of children residing at the foundation. Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina contributed 10.000 USD$ for the same purpose.

Extending her thanks, Ms Randa Simon Siksek offered His Beatitude a text from the Old and New Testaments published in three volumes by the Church of Russia in 1821. The volumes belonged to the late George Siksek, who translated the Great Horologion from Greek into Arabic.

His Beatitude delivered the books to Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, who also serves as Librarian, for safekeeping.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Yq1-xMfQWD8




BLESSING OF THE WATERS IN THE JORDAN RIVER TO TAKE PLACE ON HOLY WEDNESDAY

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem informs the Managers of Pilgrimage Agencies and all pilgrims that, this year, the venerating baptismal in the Jordan river will be performed on Holy Wednesday, namely the 3rd/16th of April 2014, at 11:00 am. All those interested are invited to arrange their pilgrimage schedule on the basis of this information.

From the Secretariat-General




THE FEAST OF ST GERASIMUS OF THE JORDAN (2014)

On Monday, the 4th/17th of March 2014, the memory of St Gerasimus of the Jordan was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the Monastery founded by him in the desert of the West Bank of the river Jordan.

The monastery was founded by Hosios Gerasimus in 451 AD, after he arrived to the Holy Land from his birthplace of Lycia in Asia Minor, and after having dwelt in Monasteries and hermitages of Palestine with Hosios Euthymius the Great and Hosios Kyriakos the Recluse.

In this Monastery he brought together a crowd of monks and other recluses who approached him in quest of spiritual guidance.

St Gerasimus was a proponent of the dogma of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, which established the teaching of one hypostasis in two natures for our Lord Jesus Christ, and condemned the notion of one nature embraced to this day by the Churches of the Copts, Armenians, Syrians and Ethiopians.

This particular Monastery, which has sustained a series of raids, hosts several inhabitants of Jericho, as well as pilgrims, in facilities founded by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Chrysostomos. Here, on the morning of the aforementioned day, His Beatitude Theophilos arrived in the company of the Most Reverend Metropolitans Isychios of Kapitolias, and Kyriakos of Nazareth; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrius of Lydda; Archimandrite Ieronymus and other Hagiotaphite Hieromonks; the Archdeacon, f. Evlogios, and Hierodeacon f. Dionysius.

Following a warm welcome, His Beatitude led the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with co-officiating priests and deacons, in the presence of a great crowd of pilgrims, hailing mostly of Cyprus, the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his esteemed wife.

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

After the divine Liturgy, a procession took place around the Monastery, followed by meatless lunch offered by Archimandrite Chrysostomos to the Patriarchal Retinue and the faithful.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5LCC5on5Ir8




NAME DAY OF HIS BEATITUDE THEOPHILOS III, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

On Sunday the 3rd/16th of March 2014, Second Sunday of the Fasting Period, the Name Day of His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem was celebrated by postponement. The 9th of March commemorates St Theophilos, one of the Holy Forty who suffered a martyr’s death in the year 320 AD during the reign of King Licinius, at the Lake of Sebaste in Pontus.

  1. In the afternoon

The feast began at 2:00 pm with the reading of the Ninth Hour at the Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by the progression of the Hagiotaphites to the All Holy Church of the Resurrection.

Following the welcoming, censing and veneration at the Holy Apokathelosis, and veneration at the Holy Sepulcher, the head of the feast, His Beatitude Theophilos, proceeded into the katholikon and rose to the Throne, in order to read the Preamble Hymn. The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite f. Aristovoulos, chanted while Prelates and members of the Holy and Sacred Synod went on to venerate at the Holy Golgotha, with deacons performing the censing along the sites of pilgrimage.

The service of Vespers followed, in the presence of pious nuns and pilgrims.

  1. On the day of the feast

On the morning of the feast, at 7:00 am, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded from the Central Monastery to the All Holy Church of the Resurrection.

Upon His entrance to the Church, the Patriarch venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher before entering the Katholikon.

Subsequently, His Beatitude, the Prelates and Priests put on their Prelatic and Hieratic garments in the Holy Bema.

After each took their place in the nave, the Divine Liturgy began, led by His Beatitude from the Navel of the Earth.

The festive Divine Liturgy of St Basil was officiated by His Beatitude Theophilos, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Prelates: the Most Reverend Metropolitans of Nazareth and Kapitolias, Kyriakos and Isychios; their Eminences, Archbishop Theophanes of Gerasa, Damaskinos of Joppe, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrius of Lydda, Makarios of Qatar and Philoumenos of Pella. Alco co-officiating were four Bishops visiting from the Patriarchate of Moscow, namely: the Right Reverend Clement of Krasnoslobotsk; Diodorus of Melekes; Methodios of Almetievsk; and Nicephorus of Otrantni; and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Vincent of Ploiesti, visiting from the Patriarchate of Romania after the restoration of ecclesiastical communion. Also present were numerous Hieromonks visiting from the Orthodox Churches of Greece, Russia and Romania. The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection chanted, whereas a great crowd of Orthodox faithful from Greece, Russia and Romania participated in piety.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Lord’s people proceeded to receive Communion.

At the conclusion of the service, Doxology began in celebration of the Patriarch’s feast day, in the presence of the Greek Consul General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis.

At the Patriarchate, the Elder Secretary-General addressed His Beatitude, followed by Mr Zacharoudiakis.

Other addresses were made by the Prelates as well as by f. Farah Danbour on behalf of the Arab-speaking flock of St James Cathedral in Jerusalem; Professor Panayiotis Antoniades on behalf of the Patriarchal School of St Sion, and Mr Nicolaos Sarris on behalf of St Demetrius School.

In His reply speech, His Beatitude extended thanks to all present.

The spiritual joy of the feast was supplemented by tangible joy in the form of festive meatless lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/goBA_1__UvU

httpv://youtu.be/PkK4edHShGM

httpv://youtu.be/VO_w2r8kmzE

httpv://youtu.be/LQk5encXJi0




ISRAELI MINISTER OF TOURISM VISITS PATRIARCHATE

On Tuesday the 26th of February/11th of March 2014, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Mr Landau Uzi, accompanied by associates of his, visited the Patriarchate. The Honourable Minister was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude thanked the Minister for his Ministry’s approval of the request to supply water to the Monastery of Mount Tabor, and referred to the matter of the unhindered access of pilgrims to the Church of the Resurrection; to the Ceremony of the Holy Light on Easter Saturday; and to the anticipated visit of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, next May.

In his response, the Minister assured His Beatitude that the Ministry of Tourism proposes to unreservedly help and support the Patriarchate both as regards these and other issues.

To commemorate the visit, gifts were exchanged between His Beatitude and the Minister.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/17VF7lPSaOI