THE PROCESSION OF THE ICON OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS TO GETHSEMANE

At 5.00 a.m. summer time on Friday, August 12/25, 2023, the Procession of the icon of the Dormition took place after the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated at the Dependency Chapel of Gethsemane, opposite the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the icon is kept throughout the year.

Starting from this chapel, the holy icon was carried by the Hegoumen of Gethsemane His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis surrounded by Holy Sepulchre Archbishops and priests and other clergy and monks of other Orthodox Churches, followed by thousands of pilgrims, chanting the Apolytikion and other hymns of the feast of Dormition of the Theotokos. The procession took place along the Via Dolorosa, passing through the Hall of the Church of the Resurrection, the Holy Shrines of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Praetorium, Saints Joachim and Anne and Saint Stephen.

Upon arrival in the Church of the Dormition, a prayer was offered, the icon was placed for worship until the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos behind the Theotokos’ Tomb and in front of the icon of Platytera of Jerusalem and a Divine Liturgy was celebrated.

This Liturgy was attended by thousands of pilgrims from various countries actively asking for help and comfort in their needs.

After the Liturgy, the Hegoumen Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis offered a refreshing reception.

Solemn Episcopal Divine Liturgy was also celebrated at the Holy Monastery of the Men of Galilee in the chapel of the Annunciation of the Dormition of the Theotokos, presided over by the Most Reverend Archbishop Theodosios of Sebasteia, along with Archimandrite Claudius, has been celebrating the D. Liturgy with the Supplication to the Theotokos daily this month, Fr Georgios Baramki, Priests of other Orthodox countries and Hierodeacon Simeon, under the chanting of the Byzantine singer from Greece Mr Eustathios Tsoumanis.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Caretaker of the Monastery,  nun Danielia offered refreshments to the Episcopal Entourage.

From Secretariat–General