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THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM CONDEMNS PROCLAMATIONS AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ

On Saturday, the 6th/19th of July 2014, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem issued the following statement in English on the proclamations against Christians in Iraq, according to which Christians are faced with crucifixion unless they either pay taxes or convert to Islam. See link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/07/19/8173

From the Secretariat-General




THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM CONDEMNS THE PROCLAMATIONS AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is alarmed upon hearing the horrifying statement issued by the Islamic State group, telling Christian communities in the Iraqi city of Mosul that they must convert to Islam, pay a jiziya tax, or give up all their possessions and leave the city, otherwise face imminent execution.

The inhumane statement is contrary to the peaceful symbiosis of Christians and Muslims in Iraq and in the entire Middle East region throughout the centuries and completely goes against the principles and values of these monotheistic religions.

The “Mother Church” of Jerusalem strongly and unequivocally condemns the appalling statement of the Islamic State group and appeals with utmost urgency to the international community to immediately intervene in order to avoid such actions and to protect the Christian population of Iraq, which has been living for many centuries in peace with their Muslim compatriots.

 

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem




STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES- JORDAN.

Amman – Jordan, 19 June 2014.

 

The General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Fr. Michel Jalakh, called the Presidents of the Council to an extraordinary meeting in Amman, Jordan, on June 19th, 2014, which was hosted by His Beatitude Theophilos III.

The Presidents were mindful of the commitment of His Majesty King Abdullah II to advocating for the Christian presence in the Kingdom, and were grateful for his continued support. In attendance were His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, President of the Eastern Orthodox family, His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch for Syriac Catholic Church, President of the Catholic family, His Grace Munib Younan, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, President of the Evangelical family, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, President of the Oriental Orthodox family, represented by the co-Presidents. Pastor Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut and Honorary Treasurer of MECC attended also the meeting. The Presidents released the results of their meeting in the following statement:

The current unexpected events taking place in Iraq join a further deterioration within countries in the region, and the Presidents share in the suffering of these tragic events along with the innocent victims of hatred and violence.

The people of Iraq are at risk of being dominated by political and religious extremism, a fact that calls upon us and the whole world to raise awareness and take immediate measures. The Presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches condemn all forms of violence against churches, mosques and other religious institutions. They encourage all Christians and people of goodwill to stand strong and not be afraid and to remember that they, together with their Muslim brothers and sisters, are the children of the same land and all share a common human nature and destiny. Therefore, we must respect and support one another as brothers and sisters.

The Presidents stand in compassion and prayer for all those in exile, displaced in Syria and in neighboring countries. We call upon all concerned parties to seek reconciliation without racial or religious discrimination. We call to release the two kidnapped archbishops Boulos Yaziji and Yuhanna Ibrahim, in addition to all kidnapped priests and innocent people.

Furthermore, the Presidents of MECC, comprised of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Evangelical, and Catholic families, call upon peacemakers in the entire international community, to defend the dignity and rights of all humans as well as freedom of religious expression, to quickly and effectively interfere in order to help our people to be liberated from the dreadful spiral of hatred and violence. We strongly condemn all forms of violence, regardless of who is the perpetrator, while simultaneously praying for peace, justice and reconciliation. We extend these prayers all over the world, but especially for all people of the Holy Land, to pursue peace, so that Jerusalem may be a beacon of peace throughout the world.

We, the Presidents of the MECC, ask the Holy Spirit to guide our churches in the bond of love in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

His Beatitude Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan

Patriarch of Antioch for Syriac Catholic Church

His Holiness Aram I

Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church

His Grace Bishop Munib Younan

Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land




NEW VANDALISMS AT GREEK ORTHODOX CHAPEL OF ST SION

On the morning of Friday the 31st of May/13th of June 2014, the Dragoman’s Office of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, notified by the Israeli Police, arrived at the chapel/catacomb of the Holy Spirit on St Sion and witnessed the vandalisms caused again by extreme fanatic activists from the area around David’s Tomb.

The aforementioned activists broke into the heavy iron gate of the chapel, after breaking the chain, and desecrated the chapel with garbage, spreading to the holy Altar in the Eastern niche.

This description of such unacceptable, violent anti-Christian actions may be verified through the photographs herein below.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, at all times advocating appeasement, conciliation and a peaceful inter-religious coexistence, protests over such acts and extends its thanks to the Israeli Police of the area of David’s Gate for their support.

From the Secretariat-General




CHAPEL OF PENTECOST ON HOLY SION VIOLATED AND DESECRATED

On the evening of the Sunday of Pentecost, the 26th of May/8th of June 2014, and on the evening of the Monday of the Holy Spirit, the 27th of May/9th of June 2014, extreme Israeli activists from the area of David’s Tomb violated the chapel-catacomb of the Pentecost, which belongs to the Patriarchate, cutting through the railings and throwing in garbage, while also digging in the area around it.

The Patriarchate, at all times advocating appeasement, conciliation and a peaceful inter-religious coexistence, protests over the aforementioned acts and extends its thanks to the Israeli Police of the area of David’s Gate for their support.

From the Secretariat-General




PROGRAM OF THE SERVICES OF HOLY WEEK 2014 IN THE MOST VENERABLE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

FROM MARCH 30/ APRIL 12 UNTIL APRIL 7/ APRIL 20 2014

Palm Saturday:

Vespers:  3 p.m.

 

Palm Sunday:

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  8 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 

Holy Monday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha):  9 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 

Holy Tuesday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha): 9 a.m.

Service of the Bridegroom: 6:15 p.m.

 

Holy Wednesday:

Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Golgotha): 9 a.m.

 

Holy Thursday:

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Cathedral Church of St. Iakovos: 6:30 a.m.

Service of the Niptiros (Washing of Feet): 9 a.m.

 

Holy Friday:

The Great Hours (Golgotha): 10 a.m.

Vespers: 3 p.m.

Service of the Epitaphios: 10 p.m.

 

Holy Saturday:

Service of the Holy Light: 1 p.m.

Service of the Resurrection: 1 (midnight)

 

Divine and Holy Pascha:

Service of the Second Day of the Resurrection: 1 p.m.

 

 

FROM THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

 




PROGRAM OF HOLY SERVICES AND DIVINE LITURGIES IN THE CHURCH OF SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN FOR THE HOLY WEEK 2014

From March 31/April 13 until April 8/April 21 2014 

Palm Sunday:

-Orthros and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  5:00 a.m.

-Vespers:  3:30 p.m. 

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 

 

Great and Holy Monday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Great Compline:  3:30 p.m.

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 

 Great and Holy Tuesday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Great Compline:  3:30 p.m.

-Service of the Bridegroom:  6:15 p.m.

 

 Great and Holy Wednesday:

-Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts:  5:00 a.m.

-Small Compline and Holy Unction:  5:00 p.m.

 

 Great and Holy Thursday:

-Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great:  4:30 a.m.

-Service of the Passion:  6:15 p.m.

 

 Great and Holy Friday: 

-Service of the Great Hours:  9:00 a.m.

-Vesper: 3:00 p.m

-Service of the Epitaphios:  11:00 p.m.

 

 Great and Holy Saturday:

-Hours and Divine Liturgy of Basil the Great:  8:00 a.m.

 

Divine and Holy Pascha:

-Orthros and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: 1:10 a.m.

 

Second Day of Pascha:

-Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:  7:00 a.m.

 

FROM THE CHURCH OF SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN




THE STATEMENT OF THE PILGRIMAGE COMMITTEE ON THE CEREMONY OF THE HOLY LIGHT IN 2014

On Tuesday, the 5th/18th of March 2014,  the Pilgrimage Committee of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, consisting of the Chief Dragoman, the Most Reverend Christodoulos, Metropolitan of Eleftheroupolis; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; and the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Athanasios, were received by Chief Superintendent Mr Avi Bitton at the Jaffa Gate Police Department, to whom they delivered the statement they had submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod as regards the measures taken by the Israeli Police during the ceremony of the Holy Light on the Great Saturday of the year 2013.

The statement submitted to the Police may be reached here in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/05/5387

 




THE STATEMENT OF THE PILGRIMAGE COMMITTEE FOR THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY LIGHT.

His Beatitude

Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem

Theophilos III

And His Holy and Sacred Synod

Jerusalem

———————–

 

Your Beatitude,

We, the undersigned members of the Status Quo Committee, the Chief Dragoman His Eminence Metropolitan of Eleftheropolis Christodoulos, the Chief Secretary His Eminence Archbishop of Constantina Aristarchos, the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod His Eminence Archbishop of Lydda Dimitrios and the Superior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher His Eminence Archbishop of Ierapolis Isidoros, proceed in due respect to report to Your Beatitude and the Holy and Sacred Synod about the ceremony of the Holy Fire during the Great Saturday of the current year 2013.

Τo begin with, we would like to clarify that from the ritual point of view and the Status Quo order the ceremony was performed exactly without any lack or deviation.

Our cooperation in our capacity as members of the Status Quo Committee together with the representatives of the Israeli Police in Jerusalem, i.e. the Director of the Jaffa Gate Police Department Mr. Bareket, and his cooperators Mr. Avi, Mr. Johnny, Mr. Alex and Mr. Rafi, was very good, during the days before the great Saturday and also during the Holy Fire Ceremony. We don’t have any complaint about the above mentioned Police representatives.   

 In spite of the above positive elements which we report here, there were incidents of negative behaviour of the Policemen who were on duty at the blockages. This means for us that these policemen were not obeying the orders they had received.

 We report these incidents not in order to criticize the Police but in order not to have them repeated next year.

First, we refer to the episode of the violation of the room of deacon Fr. Dionysios inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and his violent expulsion from it, and his keys confiscated and then returned to him. This happened immediately after the ceremony of Epitaphios on Good Friday. The Police apologized for this behaviour.

 We refer also to the fact that several Greek female pilgrims, as they reported to us, were ousted from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the same night of Holy Friday after the ceremony of the Epitaphios, and were brought to the area of Jaffa Gate and were left there closed, between the barriers, without water or even the possibility of bodily necessity until 4:00 pm of the Great Saturday, after the performance of the Holy Fire Ceremony.

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Chief Secretary’s Office and the Police, the Police was informed about the number and the place of dwelling of the Greek pilgrims and it was agreed that the Greek pilgrims would have the possibility of free movement at about 4:00 a.m. of the Holy Saturday in order to go and hear prayers and have Holy Communion in the Churches of St. Panteleimon near the “Gloria” Hotel, St. Theodoros near ‘Casa Nova” Hotel, Megali Panagia- Der –Il- Banat Monastery opposite the Coptic Khan and in the church of Virgin Mary “Saydanaya” opposite the “Hanque” Mosque.

Unfortunately, these arrangements were not kept. The Chief Secretary, going to the Church of “Saydanaya” for the liturgy at 4;00 a.m. of the Great Saturday, was prevented by a policewoman and could pass only after an intensive quarrel.   

Also, in front of the door of the Church of St. Constantine and Helen, Police put a blockage without any reason and a policewoman prevented from entrance Metropolitan of Neapolis Amvrosios, Metropolitan of Thabor Methodios and Metropolitan of Vostra Timothy. Police closed pilgrims in this church and didn’t allow them to go out. With all this, we think that it is reasonable to ask why are we prevented from proceeding to the prayer on one of the holiest days of Christianity and inside our Convent itself.

In addition the Police didn’t also keep its promises to facilitate the collective proceeding of the Greek pilgrims to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There were pilgrims who entered, being accompanied by a policeman, but the great majority of them were prevented and were enclosed on the terrace of our Central Convent. Greek pilgrims who were concentrated according to the instructions of the Police also outside the Convent of Megali Panagia- Der-Il-Banat remained there waiting until 11:00 a.m. or even until the hour when the Patriarch had already descended to the Holy Sepulchre and were not allowed to enter the Church. At the same time we are glad to say that Russian Pilgrims were entering from Muristan area speedily and without any obstacle.

The Chief Secretary, being accompanied by the policeman Johnny Kasabri, led after the Holy Liturgy on Holy Saturday in Saydanaya about 350 pilgrims through the Street of St. Francis and Hotel “Casa Nova” to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s Road. There a group of the Civil Police disagreed with the police and came and fell upon the pilgrims like upon a herd and divided them into two groups, prevented most of them from entering the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and left them there outside.

So far it concerns the VIP cards, granted by the Patriarchate, it was agreed with the Police that they would allow free access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for their bearers. They were signed by the Police. According to the Police demand they were printed with a special Logo of the Patriarchate so that nobody could forge them. Also according to the Police demand it was written on these cards that their bearers dwelling outside the OldCity should proceed through the New Gate. In spite of this, there were people, holding these cards, who were prevented to proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. As an example of such a treatment concerning the cards, we refer to the fact that the Chief Secretary according to the suggestion of Mr. Avi Biton, asked the policeman Dani, responsible for the terrace area of St. Constantine, to allow to three pilgrims holding these cards to pass and he refused. Complaints about this treatment were made to His Beatitude the Patriarch Himself.

The headmaster of our school teacher and monk Fr. Fotios was descending from the road of the Hotel Casa Nova to the Patriarchate. He asked something of the Policeman on this street and he pushed him violently.

We are sorry to say that the policemen at the blockages were hostile to us and not helpful. On the contrary the Junior Policemen, whose names were mentioned at the beginning, were kind and helpful. It seems that there was no coordination between the leadership of the Police and their staff.

We report all these, objectively and without any prejudice, and we ask that our report be notified to the Police and be considered and used properly, so that next year we can have better treatment by the Police as in last year 2012. This way there will not be bitterness and complaints in the souls of the Greek pilgrims but relief and pleasure and they will proceed in the feast of Easter for the benefit of the Holy Shrines and of the State of Israel.

 

Having reported all this, we remain,

In Jerusalem, May 14th, 2013

 

With respect and love in the Lord,

The members of the Status Quo Committee,

CHRISTODOULOS

Metropolitan of Eleftheropolis, Chief Dragoman.

ARISTARCHOS

Archbishop of Constantina, Chief Secretary.

DIMITRIOS

Archbishop of Lydda, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

 ISIDOROS

Archbishop of Ierapolis, Superior of the Holy Sepulchre.




MONK BARTHOLOMEW REINSTATED

On Wednesday, the 18th of March/3rd of April 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; the Master of ceremonies, f. Porphyrios, and other Hagiotaphite members, in accordance with a decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, read out the wish of forgiveness for those who repent and apologize to monk f. Bartholomew, annulled his defrocking, and reinstated him to the rank of Archimandrite he used to hold.

Following this, His Beatitude addressed Archimandrite Bartholomew with paternal and encouraging words, underlining that the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood shall again accept him as a regular, active and full member, expecting that he will undistractedly and conscientiously serve any task that may be assigned to him in the future. For the time being, he serves as Assistant Dragoman and Spokesman at the Patriarchates.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/YsBx1hREiYk