THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM OFFICIATES IN THE RUM-ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF ABU SNAN
On Saturday, the 7th/20th of February 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the town of Abu Snan in the Accra-Ptolemais region of Northern Israel, home to an Arabic-speaking Rum Orthodox community of approximately 2500 members centered around a church dedicated to St George the Great Martyr.
Abu Snan is one of the twelve Communities that lie within the jurisdiction of the Accra-Ptolemais Bishopric, namely: Kafr Yasif, Kafr Smea, Sfa Amer, Jdeideh, Ambelin, Rame, Maker, Tarshiha, Sakhnin and Pkea.
After being officially welcomed to the town, His Beatitude went on to hold the divine Liturgy, with Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Arabic-speaking Presbyters from the Accra-Ptolemais communities, deacons Markos and Anastasios co-officiating. Archimandrite Philotheos, hegumen in Accra-Ptolemais, sang in Arabic and Greek for the Orthodox congregation, in the presence of Professor Antonia Moropoulou of the NTUA.
To the pious congregation, Patriarch Theophilos preached the Word of God.
After Communion, His Beatitude offered an icon of St John the Chosebite for the restored church, as well as a fine candle holder, before distributing the antidoron and blessing icons to the faithful.
On the conclusion of the feast, a reception followed at an events hall adjacent to the church, where Patriarch Theophilos addressed attendants in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/02/20/19214
From the Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/RCxSpahdEXw
httpv://youtu.be/HPvMbOzMe4A
httpv://youtu.be/x8je4NKc32M