THE FEAST OF THE SYNAXIS OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (2016)
On Wednesday, the 7th/20th of January 2016, the day after the feast of Theophany, the Patriarchate celebrated the Synaxis of St John the Baptist and Forerunner at the ancient Monastery dedicated to his name, built between the Church of the Resurrection and Christian Street.
The term “Synaxis” denotes the gathering of Christians in the Church in order to honour together St John the Forerunner, “the greatest among those born of women” and the one who had served our Lord Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Baptism.
Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Archimandrites Makarios, Meletios and Chrysanthos, and Hierodeacons Makarios and Charalambos, as pilgrim Georgios Pananikolaou sang for a praying congregation of locals and pilgrims from various Orthodox countries.
During the divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos arrived at the church to venerate, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers. He went on to inspect conservation works carried out in the Monastery.
The Abbot and renovator of the Monastery, Archimandrite Bartholomew, then hosted the Patriarchal and Primatial Entourage to a reception at the hegoumeneion.
From the Secretariat-General
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