THE FEAST OF ST ANTHONY THE GREAT AT THE PATRIARCHATE
On Saturday, the 17th/30th of January 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Anthony the Great at the chapel dedicated to his name within St Nicholas Monastery, to the northwest of the Patriarchate.
As is well-known, St Anthony the Great is one of the great ascetic Fathers of the Church. He had lived for 105 years, spanning the reign of Diocletian and Maximian to Constantine the Great. St Anthony had led an ascetic life in the extreme, was replete with spiritual gifts, “had turned the deserts into cities”, and taught monasticism to thousands of monks. His Vita was composed by Athanasius the Great, who had supported Christians in times of persecution and defended the doctrine of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.
The divine Liturgy was held at St Anthony’s chapel on the day of his feast, led by Archimandrite Aristovoulos, hegoumen at St Nicholas Monastery and Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection. A pious congregation of monks, nuns, Greek-speaking and Arabic-speaking locals from Jerusalem, and pilgrims, attended the service.
The congregation were hosted to a reception by Archimandrite Aristovoulos on the conclusion of the divine Liturgy.
From the Secretariat-General