On the night of Friday to Saturday of Cheese Fare Sunday, the 15^th to the 16^th of February/28^th of February to the 1^st of March 2014, Monk Marcus Henderson of London was ordained as deacon during the Divine Liturgy at the All-Holy and Life-Giving Sepulcher. The ordination was performed by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias.

The ordination rite was attended by Hagiotaphite Prelates, Hieromonks and Monks, by f. Demetrios Loupasakis, spiritual father of the ordained and Head of the Church of St Isidores in Lycabettus, in the company of Fathers and numerous pilgrims.

Before the sacrament, the ordaining Prelate addressed the ordained subdeacon with paternal words of advice for an honorable, healthy and pious diaconate.

Responding to the call, the candidate for ordination bent the knees and the neck in front of the Altar and, as the Prelate placed his hands upon him, received the ordination.

At the conclusion of the ordination, all present exclaimed “Worthy he is”.

After the Divine Liturgy, the ordained deacon hosted those who honoured him with their presence to a reception at the Office of the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday the 12^th/25^th of February 2014, the Ambassador of Romania to Israel, Ms Andrea Păstârnac, visited the Patriarchate. The new Romanian Ambassador to Israel was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Ms Andrea Păstârnac visited the Patriarchate on the occasion of her recent appointment, and in order to express her joy over the agreement to restore the ecclesiastical communion between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Patriarchate of Romania (see link https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/02/03/4288). Ms Păstârnac delivered His Beatitude a letter of appreciation by the President of Romania, H.E. Mr Traian Băsescu, who recently visited Israel and the Patriarchate for the signed agreement, which paves the way for a new, fruitful relationship between the Patriarchate and the country and Church of Romania.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place about the situation of the Christians in the Holy Land and the support they receive from the Patriarchate and the Orthodox Embassies; also, on the contribution of the Patriarchate to the preservation of the status quo of the city of Jerusalem.

Gifts and courteous wishes were exchanged during the visit.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ZbLaLUYRsY4

On the Sunday of Carnival [Gr. Apokrias], namely the 10^th/23^rd of February 2014, the memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Charalampos, hailing from Magnesia, Thessaly, was celebrated by the Patriarchate. St Charalampos lived during the reign of Severus, when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia, in 198 AD.

In the Monastery dedicated to his name, adjacent to Northwest of the Church of the Resurrection, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda and Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, led the Vespers, the Matins and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons, as well as a great crowd of faithful including Greeks from the Parish of Jerusalem, Arab-speaking, Greek-speaking and Russian-speaking pilgrims, praying in piety.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem proceeded to venerate in the company of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Subsequently, the Patriarchal and Prelatic Retinue, as well as the faithful, were courteously hosted to a reception by the Hegoumen, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Kallistos, in his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/MxVjmmCdxIs

On Saturday the 9^th/22^nd of February 2014, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and the new President of the Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Community of Nazareth, Ms Afaf Touma, accompanied by Council Members, visited the Patriarchate.

This was the first visit of Ms Touma to the Patriarchate in her capacity as President. In the context of the visit, His Beatitude wished Ms Touma strength and enlightenment from above in her new administrative tasks.

The President offered His Beatitude a painting representing the Pilgrimage Site of Nazareth, whereas His Beatitude reciprocated with a golden pectoral cross.

His Beatitude talked with the Metropolitan of Nazareth, the President and the Council about issues pertaining to the spiritual life of the Community of Nazareth, which numbers approximately 18.000 members. Also discussed, were development plans as well as plans to restore the Church of the Holy Pilgrimage Site.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/K5SNd1yFjyQ

On the evening of Friday to Saturday of Souls, namely the 8^th/21^st to the 9^th/22^nd of February 2014, Vespers was held in commemoration of all departed Hagiotaphite Fathers, glorious Patriarchates, Prelates, Priests, Hieromonks, monks and nuns. The Service was led by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem. Hagiotaphite Fathers co-officiated with him, dressed in stole and  pallium. Hieromonks and monks prayed with them.

At the end of the afternoon service and commemoration, participants were offered blessed wheat (“kollyva”) and prayed for the souls of the departed Hagiotaphite Fathers.

From the Secretariat-General

On the evening of Wednesday the 8^th/19^th of February 2014, the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, while in Israel for a political visit, visited the Church of the Resurrection and the Patriarchate. Mr Kasoulides was accompanied by his personal associates and by the diplomatic delegates of the Republic of Cyprus to Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy.

The Minister and his associates were received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of the visit, on the situation of the Christians in the Holy Land, especially Syria and the Middle East; also, on the need for a peaceful coexistence between them and the adherents of other religions, Jews and Muslims, and for the peace-keeping contribution of the Patriarchate by means of maintaining private schools open to both Christians and Muslims. The meeting revolved around the spiritual and physical heritage of the Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem, and the need to preserve its status as a context safeguarding the rights of Christians and the adherents of other religions.

Also raised was the problem caused by anarchic Palestinians trespassing on Patriarchate property in the Holy Monastery of Bethany, as well as its recent resolution on behalf of the Palestinian Autonomy, following actions taken by the Patriarchate, and the Greek and Cypriot Governments.

At the end of the meeting, presents were courteously exchanged between His Beatitude and the Minister, upon which Mr Kasoulides left for the remaining part of his mission.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/MOKu8pWYoG0

On Wednesday the 6^th/19^th of February 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, blessed the rason, namely the frock, of novice Antonis Vekris, hailing from Amorgos, serving at the Central Kitchen of the Patriarchate.

After delivering the frock, His Beatitude addressed fatherly words to the rasophoros, that he may continue to serve with patience and willingness as he has so far, and that in time he may receive the monastic schema and enter the ranks of the Hagiotaphite Fraternity.

From the Secretariat-General

On Monday the 4^th/17^th of February 2014, Mr Shaun Casey, Special Advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry for Faith-based and Community Initiatives, representative of US President Obama and mediator in the peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Casey was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The aim of Mr Casey’s visit was to bring His Beatitude up to date with the situation of Christians in the Holy Lands, the development of the peace negotiations and the scheduled visits of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch.

His Beatitude talked to Mr Casey about the Patriarchate’s pastoral work through the centuries and also about its peaceful contribution to all governments since the days of the Byzantines, Omar Hatab, the Ottoman Empire, the Government of the British Mandate in Palestine, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy, to the present day; also about Jerusalem’s quest to serve as a city open to two peoples and to the adherents of three different religions.

His Beatitude also referred to the problems facing the Patriarchate on account of extreme religious people in its pilgrimage site on the Hill of St Sion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/bIchDQ9NtWI

On Monday the 4^th/17^th of February 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, bestowed the office of Steward on the vicar of the Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) town of Adjloun, f. Gregorios Rihane. F. Gregorios was accompanied by His Eminence, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, Patriarchal Commissioner in Northern Jordan.

On the occasion of this promotion, His Beatitude wished f.Gregorios strength from above in order to carry on his dedicated and fruitful diaconate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ufmYl20Qtp4

On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the 3^rd/16^th of February 2014, the memory was celebrated of St Symeon the God-receiver, who held in his arms the 40-day-old Lord in the Temple of Solomon, exclaiming: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, as you have promised…” The feast was observed in the Monastery dedicated to the saint, in Katamonas quarter, within the new Western city of Jerusalem.

Vespers was officiated by Archimandrite Stephanos, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Moscow, and Archimandrite Ananias, Hegoumen of the Holy Monastery of St George Beit Jala. The Matins and Divine Liturgy were led by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were their Eminences, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Methodios of Tabor, Hagiotaphite Archimandrites Stephanos, Ananios and Ignatios, Archdeacon f. Evlogios and other hieromonks. Archimandrite f. Efsevios, the head cantor at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, chanted during the service, in the presence of a great crowd of Greeks from the Greek parish of Katamonas, as well as pilgrims from both Russia and Greece.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, with Archimandrite Efsevios translating into Russian.

The Divine Liturgy was followed by the distribution of the antidoron [blessed bread] and a reception for the Patriarchal Retinue and the faithful at the Hegoumen’s quarters, renovated by the Hegoumen of the Monastery of Katamonas, Archimandrite f. Theodoretos.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/88I3ub5JQCA