THE FEAST OF ST. BARBARA THE GREAT MARTYR AND ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS

1. The feast of St. Barbara the Great Martyr

The feast of St. Barbara the Great Martyr was celebrated at her chapel in the Holy Monastery of St. Nikolaos on the west side of the Patriarchate on Sunday December 4/17. Vespers in the evening and the Divine Liturgy in the morning of the feast were officiated by the Hegoumen of the Monastery Archimandrite Aristovoulos. Nuns of the Patriarchate formed the choir, while the service was attended by a noble congregation. After the Divine Liturgy the Hegoumen offered a reception to the congregation at the Hegoumeneion.

2. The commemoration of St. John of Damascus

The commemoration of St. John of Damascus, hymn writer of the Church, doctrine theologian and musician, the composer of the Octoechos, defender of the Holy Icons, was observed at the Holy Monastery of St. Savvas the Sanctified. The Service was held at his chapel, at the place his cell used to be, on the aforementioned date with an all-nigh vigil. The Vigil, which was attended by pilgrims and local Arab-speaking faithful, was officiated by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, who went to the Monastery for the three-day celebrations of St. Savvas.

From Secretariat-General