PALM SUNDAY (2021)

On Palm Sunday, 12/25 April 2021, the Patriarchate celebrated the triumphant entry of the Lord in Jerusalem after the Resurrection of Lazarus, when the children of the Jews were crying out loud, “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord” and had their garments lain on the streets along with palm tree branches to welcome Him.

In honour and commemoration of this event, and for the glory of God, Great Vespers was held at the Catholicon of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as “Paressia” on Saturday afternoon, led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. The Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning was officiated by His Beatitude with the co-celebration of their Eminences: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Archbishops; Theophanes of Gerassa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebastia, Demetrios of Lydda and Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, as well as Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archdeacon Mark and Hierodeacon Eulogios. The chanting was delivered by Hierodeacon Simeon and the Patriarchal School Students, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Evangelos Vlioras and more faithful this year, after the lifting of the strict covid-19 restrictions. However, there were no pilgrims.

After the Divine Liturgy there was a litany three times around the Sacred Edicule and then around the shrines.

At the end of the Service, the whole congregation returned to the Patriarchate Headquarters where His Beatitude wished everybody a Happy Easter.

From Secretariat-General