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THE FEAST OF ST SIMEON THE RECEIVER OF THE LORD OBSERVED IN KATAMONAS

On Tuesday, the 3rd/16th of February 2016, the feast of St Simeon the Righteous and Receiver of the Lord was observed at the Monastery dedicated to him in Katamonas, West Jerusalem, where during the 20th century a Greek parish had flourished.

On this day, that follows the feast of the Hypapante, the Church commemorates St Simeon, who, on the 40th day of the Lord’s birth in the flesh, had received Him at the Temple of Solomon, exclaiming “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, the Glory of Your people Israel”.

The feast was observed at the aforementioned Monastery, wherein lies the tomb of the saint and part of his relics, ceded years ago by the Roman Catholic Church of Croatia, on the request of the Patriarchate.

Vespers was led by Archimandrite Ananias, and the divine Liturgy by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor and Theophylaktos of Jordan; Metropolitan Hilarion of Haisvinsky, visiting from the Church of Georgia; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks as Archimandrite Ananias, hegumen at the Monastery of St George in Beit Jala, Archimandrite Claudius, hegumen at the Monastery of the Holy Cross, Archimandrite Ignatius, hegumen at the Monastery of the Village of the Shepherds, and Archimandrite Dometian of the Russian MISSIA; priests visiting from other Orthodox countries, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacons Agapios and Anastasios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in Greek, Arabic and Russian, aided by Mr Christos Pantelis from Cyprus. A great crowd of pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania, as well as the remaining members of the Greek parish and members of the Arabic-speaking flock attended the service.

The Patriarch preached the Word of God in Greek and in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/02/16/19081

After Communion, Patriarch Theophilos blessed the faithful and distributed the antidoron.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the hegumen of the Monastery, Archimandrite Theodoritos, hosted the Patriarchal Entourage and many among the faithful to a reception at the hegumeneion and in the forecourt of the Monastery.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Zez1aRbxA6E

httpv://youtu.be/9Ur4ZF_xqRc