THE FEAST OF ST EFTHYMIOS IN JERUSALEM
On Monday, the 20th of January/2nd of February 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of hosios Efthymios the Great at the Monastery dedicated to his name, within the Christian quarter, north of the Patriarchate.
St Efthymios came to the Holy Land from Cappadocia in 420 AD, and led an ascetic life with St Theoktistos in the desert of Koutila, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. There, he founded a lavra which went on to become an important monastic center, while he himself became the teacher of St Savvas the Consecrated who came to the Holy Land in 456 AD. St Efthymios preached Christianity to the Persians and was distinguished as an opponent of Monophysitism and a proponent of the dogma of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, which proclaimed Christ’s single hypostasis in two natures. To this day, the Monastery stands as an archaeological site.
His Eminence Damascene, Archbishop of Joppa, led the Vespers and divine Liturgy at Hosios Efthymios Monastery in Jerusalem, with co-officiating Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. Archimandrite Eusebius sang with Patriarchal School students, in the presence of local Christians and pilgrims from Greece, Ukraine, Russia and Romania.
His Eminence Damascene talked to the congregation of the ascetic figure of St Efthymios, his dedication to monastic life, and his contribution to the salvation of several monks.
Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem came to the Monastery during mass to venerate.
On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Abbess Christonymphe hosted guests to a reception at the hegoumeneion.
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/mloc1xbkedc