THE FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE AND ST MARCELLA OF CHIOS AT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Tuesday, the 22^nd of July/4^th of August 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of St Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-Bearer and St Marcella of Chios.

1. The feast of St Marcella of Chios was celebrated at St Spyridon Monastery, within the Gate of Damascus, where her icon is kept.

Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila, hailing from Chios, officiated at the feast. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Makarios, hegoumen at St Nicodemus Monastery “of the Lentils”, and Hierodeacon Markos. Nuns from the Monastery the Great Panaghia sang as a crowd of faithful from the Greek parish of Jerusalem attended the service.

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Sergios, hosted Primates and the congregation to a reception.

2. The feast of St Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-bearer was observed at the Patriarchate with a Vigil at the Holy Sepulcher. Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste led the service with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and priests from Russia and Romania. Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis sang with Hagiotaphite Templar Fathers, in the presence of pilgrims from Russia and nuns.

On the conclusion of the service, St Mary’s relic was carried thrice in procession around the Holy Sepulcher.

On the morning of the same day, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos and Archimandrite Ieronymos, visited the Russian Church of St Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane.

There, His Beatitude was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Roman. Inside the Church, he talked of the life of Mary Magdalene, a witness of the Lord’s miracles and His Resurrection.

After the apolysis, Metropolitan Mark, Hegoumen Roman and Abbess Elisabeth hosted His Beatitude to a reception.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/o8SBYfNRdWs

httpv://youtu.be/af0smr_Y3Ws