CHRISTMAS CEREMONY HELD BY THE CHURCHES OF JORDAN

On Tuesday, December 5/18, 2018, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos attended a Christmas ceremony held by the Churches of Jordan, under His Majesty the King of Jordan Abdullah Ibn Hussein, protector of the Muslim and Christian shrines in Jerusalem. The event took place at the Cultural Centre of the Prefecture in Amman, in order to underline and support the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem as a reference of their identity and in honour of the Christmas Feast.

There was a large participation on behalf of governmental officials of Jordan and imams representing the religion of Islam, the President of the Palestinian State His Excellency Mr. Abbas Abu Mazen and Christian leaders from the Churches of Jerusalem and representatives of the Churches from Jordan.

Escorts of His Beatitude from Jerusalem were; Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Arabic Mass Media Manager Fr. Issa Musleh, from Amman, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman Most Reverend Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristovoulos of Madaba and Patriarchal Representative of Madaba, the Hegoumen of Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos, the Patriarchal Representative of Irbet Archimandrite Raphael, and many Priests from our flock in Jordan.

His Beatitude addressed all present through the Most Reverend Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis in Arabic and also the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Mr. Pierre Battista Pizzaballa spoke, underlining the joy of the Christmas Feast and the difficulties faced by the Churches of Jerusalem and the Middle East. He also referred to the support of His Majesty the King of Jordan towards the Churches and congratulated the King for His recent Templeton Prize award.

Then the Sheikh who is responsible for the Muslim waqfs (Arabic وقف) spoke.

During the event there were songs from Jordan and Christmas songs, the Katavasia “Christ is born, give him glory” by a choir and the Ave Maria by a talented girl.

After the end of the ceremony, His Majesty the King offered a royal meal to all the guests.

From Secretariat-General