On Friday, the 8^th/21^st of November 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast day of the Archangels, Michael and Gabriel, and all heavenly powers, at the Monastery dedicated to them, which lies on the coast of Joppa. The Monastery, burnt down in the 1950s, was restored by His Eminence Damascene, Archbishop of Joppa, by his own subvention. 

The divine Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth; Archbishops Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Isidoros of Hierapolis and Nektarios of Anthedon; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks from neighbouring towns – Archimandrites Niphon of Lydda, Nicodemus of Lydda, and Damian, Exarch in Athens; Archimandrite Ieronymos, Abbot in Fhes; Archimandrites Mathew and Timoftes; Presbyter Constantine, vicar in Joppa, and other Arab-speaking Presbyters. Cantors visiting from the Church of Greece, upon the invitation of Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, sang in Greek whereas the Cantor of Joppa Community sang in Arabic in the presence of the representative of the Hellenic Embassy in Israel, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. Also in attendance were: the Military Attaché of the Hellenic Air Force, Mr Evangelos Panayiotou; the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Andrea Păstârnac, the Moldavian Ambassador to Israel and the Director of Religious Affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr Cesar Margiye. Arab-speaking, Russian-speaking and Romanian-speaking faithful participated in piety alongside parishioners of Joppa and pilgrims from Greece and Russia, as well as Boy Scouts who had welcomed His Beatitude on His arrival.

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

Several among the congregation proceeded to receive Communion whereas icons were distributed to the faithful together with the antidoron.

After mass, Archbishop Damascene hosted all to a reception, whilst the Patriarchal Retinue and representatives of the Hellenic Embassy to Israel and officials among the flock were hosted to a splendid lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/TvGgCeL5mGg

httpv://youtu.be/aHjJuK7s7BU

On Thursday, the 7^th/20^th of November 2014, a twenty-member group of Cyprus Police Officers, led by Nicosia District Commissioner Demetrios Demetriou, visited the Patriarchate.

The delegation was received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. During the meeting, His Beatitude referred to the spiritual aid granted to pilgrims visiting the Holy Sites of Pilgrimage that are drenched with the blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He also talked of the long links connecting the Church of Jerusalem to the Church of Cyprus since the years of the New Testament and along the course of the history of the Church, as attested by the pastoral diaconate of Cypriot Hagiotaphites, e.g. St George the Cypriot of Hozeva and the New-Martyr Hagiotaphite, St Philoumen the Cypriot.

The District Commissioner thanked His Beatitude for His fervent words and pledged to offer the help of the Cyprus Police to the Patriarchate as well as to the recently restored Exarchate of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus.

Having received His Beatitude’s blessing, the police officers carried on their pilgrimage on the way to the Holy Sepulcher and the other Shrines.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5RblGZ4uI5k

On Tuesday, the 5^th/18^th of November 2014, the Church of St George in the Community of Nisf Ijbil, lying at some distance from Nablus, Samaria, was consecrated.

The town used to be inhabited by Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking Community members who, however, over the last thirty years have gradually abandoned their town in search of better living conditions – with the exception of one family.

The Church of the Community suffered the consequences of abandonment, that is why it was recently restored, repaired and renovated at the subvention of Mr Basem Labib Hismech, Greek Orthodox pious donator. The church will be attended by the aforementioned family on every occasion a priest of the Patriarchate may be available to officiate.

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem performed the divine Liturgy in celebration of the renovation, accompanied by Archimandrite Justinus, Abbot at Jacob’s Well; Protosyncellus Leontios, head of the Raffidia Community; f. Ignatius, head of the Beit-Sahur Community; and members of the Church Board of the Community of Raffidia.

The Head Cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helena, Archimandrite Eusebius, sang in Greek and Arabic, in the presence of several Orthodox Christians from the Samaria region. Those were addressed by His Beatitude through f. Issa Mousleh, the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arab-speaking Media. See link:: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/11/18/8264

After mass, the Abbot at Jacob’s Well and renovator of the Church of St Photini, Archimandrite Justinus, hosted His Beatitude, His retinue, and the congregation, to lunch.

Over lunch, His Beatitude bestowed the medal of Crusader of the Holy Sepulcher to Mr Basem Labib Hishmeh.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/kfzvbUALNGE

httpv://youtu.be/w22nu7aIK3E

On Sunday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2014, the translation of the relics of St George the Great Martyr and Trophy Bearer was celebrated mostly in Lydda, and also in the Monasteries dedicated to his name in Jerusalem and in the village of Beit-Jala.

Α. In Jerusalem.

1. At St George Monastery, known as St George of the Hospital, near the Monastery of the Archangels, Vespers was performed on the previous evening, led by the Most Reverend Demetrius, Archbishop of Lydda. The divine Liturgy, on the day of the feast, was performed by Archimandrite Parthenius, and had as participants nuns of the Patriarchate and members of Jerusalem’s Greek Parish and Arab-speaking Community.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Abbess Pansemne hosted guests at the Abbess’ Quarters.

2. At St George Monastery, known as St George Jewish, because of its location in the Jewish quarter, Vespers was performed on the evening before feast-day. The divine Liturgy, on the day of the feast, was led by Hieromonk f. Constantine of Mount Athos, visiting from Greece, and had as participants members of our Arab-speaking flock, nuns of the Patriarchate and pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania. After the divine Liturgy, Nun Anna, renovator of the Monastery, hosted guests to a reception.

Β. In Beit-Jala.

At the Monastery of St George, known as St George Beit-Jala, as it lies in the homonymous village, the divine Liturgy was held on the morning of the feast, led by Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa. In attendance were Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking faithful, including the cantors, from adjacent villages and towns –Bethlehem, Beit-Jala and the Village of the Shepherds or Beit Sahour.

On the conclusion of the service, the Abbot, Archimandrite Ananias, hosted the Prelatic Retinue and members of the congregation in his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1H3HrFhABXU

httpv://youtu.be/9Meqf7_n72A

On Sunday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2014, the translation of the relics of St George the Great Martyr and Trophy Bearer was commemorated at St George Church in Lydda, Israel, which is a center of worship for the Patriarchate’s Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking Community.

Commemorated on this particular feast-day is not only the Saint’s martyrdom, but also the translation of his holy relics, circa 305 AD, from Rome to his maternal place of origin, to be buried in Lydda where, according to the Acts of the Apostles, an early Christian community existed from the dawn of Christianity (Acts 9, 32-35).

On top of the saint’s grave in Lydda, Saint Helena built a magnificent church between 326 and 336 AD. The church survives to this day, even though one half of the building was conquered in unknown times and is being used as a mosque to this day.

The divine Liturgy was held on the morning of the feast-day, led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were His Eminence Damascene, Archbishop of Joppa; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archbishop Demetrius of Lydda, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Arab-speaking presbyters, Archdeacon Evlogios and Hierodeacon Dionysius. In attendance was the representative of the Greek Embassy to Israel, Mr Alexandros Gennimatas, the Cypriot Ambassador to Israel, Mr Panagis, and the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Andrea. The choir of the Community of Lydda sang in Arabic, while a crowd of faithful (though not as many as last year, due to heavy rain) from the town and other areas of Israel and of the occupied areas proceeded to venerate at the Saint’s tomb.

During Communion, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek. In Arabic, the homily may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/11/16/8216

After the apolysis, the Abbot of the Shrine, Archimandrite Nicodemus, hosted guests to a reception at the Hegoumen’s Quarters, thanking His Beatitude for His interest in the flock. In His reply speech, the Patriarch said that St George is an ecumenical saint for all Churches, having suffered a martyr’s death for the love of Christ.

At noon, Abbot Nicodemus and the Community Council hosted lunch for His Beatitude and retinue, as well as for the Ambassadors of Orthodox states to Israel having attended mass, the Mayor of Lydda, members of the Community and other guests.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/YcvYUayj040

httpv://youtu.be/1zrzUlq5Ke4

On Saturday, the 2^nd/15^th of November 2014, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, acting upon a decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod, ordained Mr Sergei Denishenko as deacon during a divine Liturgy performed at Golgotha. The newly-ordained shall initially serve as hierodeacon and, in due time, as a priest for the Russian-speaking flock in Nazareth and its environs.

In attendance at the ordination were relatives of the ordained from Nazareth, Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns, and pilgrims from Greece and Russia.

After the ordination ceremony, the Prelatic Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchate, where His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, blessed the ordained and addressed him in paternal words with wishes for an honest diaconate to the benefit of the Russian-speaking flock in Nazareth and the glory of the Triadic God.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4kkWxwcKv2A

On Friday, the 1^st/14^th of November 2014, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, acting upon a decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod, ordained Greek-Orthodox, Arab-speaking Johnny Atras of Nazareth, as deacon during a divine Liturgy performed at Golgotha. The newly-ordained shall initially serve as hierodeacon and, in due time, as a priest for the Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking church community in Nazareth.

In attendance at the ordination were relatives of the ordained, accompanying him and the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Nazareth from Nazareth, Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns, and pilgrims.

After the ordination ceremony, the Prelatic Retinue proceeded with the newly-ordained to the Patriarchate, to receive the blessings of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and listen to His paternal words with wishes for a devoted, God-pleasing diaconate to the benefit of the people.

From the Secretariat-General

A model Nursery School, belonging to the Orthodox Schools Complex of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, now operates in the Christian town of Fhes near Amman, Jordan.

The school project, which takes up an area of 1.300 m², began with the wishes and blessings of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, on April 2014, and was completed in August of the same year.

It opened on September 1^st 2014, with 120 children, which could mark the beginning for the creation of an International Stream School of the Patriarchate in Jordan.

Of note is the fact that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem maintains today 13 school units in Jordan, hosting 6.000 students and employing a great number (820) of high school teachers, elementary school teachers, auxiliary personnel etc.

From the Education Committee in Jordan

On Tuesday, the 19^th of October/11^th of November 2014, Mr Seraphim Tsokas, General Secretary of Civil Protection at the Hellenic Ministry of Public Order, visited the Patriarchate. Mr Tsokas was accompanied by his esteemed wife and Greece’s Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis.

Mr Tsokas and his attendants were received by H.B., Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion took place during the meeting, on the historical and statutory responsibility of the Patriarchate to safeguard the Holy Sites of Pilgrimage, as well as the need to maintain the current status of veneration, as the only way to achieve a safe and peaceful coexistence between followers of different Christian denominations in the Holy Land and by extension, of the three monotheistic religions.

Indicative of the aforementioned stance of the Patriarchate was the visit, yesterday, of the Heads of Christian Churches in the Holy Land to the Mosque of Omar area. The visit was conducted in support of the prevalent status applied in the area, against extreme Jewish religious elements attempting to alter it.

On the conclusion of Mr Tsokas’ visit, His Beatitude offered him the book on the Church of Jerusalem by Chrysostomos Papadopoulos, as well as Jerusalemite blessings.

Mr Tsokas then left the Patriarchate in order to venerate at the Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/FOgD2hTN9CM

On Saturday, the 26^th of October/8^th of November 2014, the feast of St Demetrius the Myrrh-bearer and great martyr was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the ancient chapel connecting the Central Monastery to St Demetrius School.

The Very Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, Patriarchate Commissioner, led the Vespers and the divine Liturgy on the day of the feast. Co-officiating were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. The head cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Eusebius, sang alongside cantors of St Constantine church and students at the Patriarchal School of Sion. In attendance was the recently decorated Petros Solomou, pilgrim from Cyprus, with his esteemed wife, members of the Greek parish of Jerusalem, nuns, Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking faithful, as well as teachers and students of St Demetrius School.

The Word of God in Arabic was preached, on behalf of the Patriarch, by Protopresbyter f. Issa Mousleh, the Patriarchate’s Arab-speaking Mass Media liaison. See link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/11/08/8046

After mass, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, proceeded to venerate at the church, before inspecting and blessing the students’ achievements at the School workshop.

A small celebration followed, including St Demetrius’ Synaxarion, as well as a performance featuring festive songs and dances by younger students.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/m17D9vknuJE

httpv://youtu.be/mNlqzBYTYG8