THE ARMENIANS HINDER THE PROCESSION ON THE ORTHODOX FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE SACRED CROSS

On Wednesday 14th/27th September 2017, after the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Sacred Cross at the Catholicon of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, officiated by His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, the Procession of the Feast followed, according to the Status Quo of worship, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, while there was a Paschal participation of the full Congregation of the pilgrims.

During the descend of the Procession through St. Helen’s chapel towards the Cave of the finding of the Sacred Cross for the Exaltation, the Armenians placed wooden benches at the entrance of the Holy Altar of their chapel, which is not at their exclusive disposal, and which they recently refurbished illegally, in order to prevent the two deacons from offering incense according to the Status Quo of worship.

By the persistence of the officiating the Procession His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, who was dressed in His Episcopal liturgical vestments, carrying the Sacred Cross on His head, and the likewise persistence of the Hagiotaphite Fathers who are responsible for the Status Quo of worship and the Police, the two deacons entered the Cave along with the Master of Ceremonies and offered the incense.

The Patriarchate condemns this unacceptable action of the Armenians and reserves the right to claim its rights towards every competent authority.

From Secretariat-General