On Saturday evening, September 9/22, 2018, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, while in Jordan and in the Patriarchal Committee in Amman, awarded the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Jordan, Mrs. Nausika Krousti with the medal of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, for her ministry to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

This awarding took place at the presence of the Ambassador of Greece in Jordan Mr. Vasilios Bornovas, the Cypriot Embassy Staff in Jordan, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman Most Reverend Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Priests of the Metropolis.

Emotional, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus thanked His Beatitude for this valuable and honorary distinction in her address which was full of religious, Christian and national feelings in favour of her country as one can read below in the translated from the Greek full text of hers;

“Your Beatitude,

Your Eminence,

Reverend Clergy,

Honourable guests,

It is in excess of spiritual joy, awe, vigor, encouragement, and excitement and humble wisdom that I accept this supreme honour, which I will admittedly hold to my soul and heart as a precious praise. I have to say that in this perennial, long diplomatic course, where I have served as an Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus for over 30 years, in a great number of nations, I have received praises for an operation which I have completed together with God, and I say this humbly.  

This honour however, that is being done today is the most momentous and the most distinguished.

It is important to underline that the mandate given to my Diplomatic Service during my current term, was to strengthen the relationship between Cyprus and Jordan, whose relations have generally been accepted, to the highest possible level during those last years. The foundation of all the accomplished work was the two visits of the King of Jordan in Cyprus, namely in 2016 and in the beginning of this year, which were greatly appreciated by my own country. I must emphasize that I am completing my ministry with profound sympathy and thanksgiving to the Most Holy God for His continuous help and sympathy for all the work done in the cause, recognizing that without this help we can do nothing. Let us recall our Lord’s saying in this respect that “without me you can do nothing”.

I should at the same time take note of the fact that my present honor, for which I mercifully thank You, Your Beatitude, fulfills my soul in the most beautiful, and most precious way. I wish and pray that the Great Gift-Giver, our Lord-Donor, will bountifully shed His blessings to the All-holy Patriarchate of Jerusalem, under your enlightened leadership Your Beatitude, as well as to the Orthodox Church herein, under the prudent leadership of His Eminence, Father Christophoros.

I also wish and pray that our Lord will enlighten all of us, that our life may be a life in Christ, that our manner of living will be pleasing to Him. May our only concern be the practice of virtue and the conviction of the spirit, which is as the Apostle Paul says “Life and Peace”, longing and hoping for the Divine reward and the Divine payment. We remain with this steadfast hope, which we place before our Most Merciful and Most Kind Lord, which hope, the hope in God, as St. John Chrysostom wisely observes, is “Immortal and Immeasurable”.

It should be added that I remain highly excited with the current honorary distinction, considering also the unbreakable and strong, historical and spiritual bonds which adjoin the Most Sacred Patriarchate of Jerusalem with the Holy Church of Cyprus, bonds which rest on the sublime, priceless and inexhaustible wealth of the sanctified Orthodoxy. Your Beatitude, concluding my words, I find it befitting to note the following points: With God’s hope, we remain at the national level as a tried Cypriot Hellenism as we march on the path of the Cross, of the Turkish occupation in the last 44 years. As we mount the cross of Cyprus, it is with unshakable and steadfast faith that we behold our Crucified Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, deeply convinced that we will find help and profuse mercy. Because, as St. John Chrysostom assures us “if God is with us, who can be against us?” “Being steadfast in the foundation of faith”, if I am to use the words of St. Paul, we can look forward to the national justification and the resurrection of the bleeding and crucified Cyprus.

With these words, which constitute an immense and deep longing of the soul, I conclude, thanking You again, Your Beatitude, from the depths of my soul. I also give thanks to the Most Reverend Father Christophoros and to all the Reverend Fathers, with particular reference to the Fathers of the Church of the Meeting of the Lord, where I used to be for my regular participation in the Church Services throughout my term of office. ”

From Secretariat-General

On Saturday evening, September 2/15, 2018, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos awarded with certificates and a symbolic funding the students who excelled in their studies and research findings in laboratories from the Schools of the Patriarchate in Jordan. In particular the schools are in Madaba and Fuheis and the ceremony was organized at the reception hall of the Metropolis of the Patriarchate in Amman, under the supervision of the General Manager of the Schools of the Patriarchate, Mrs. Souher Betzali.

In respect of the Manager’s work, His Beatitude offered her an icon of Christ, while the latter offered in return a painting made by a school student.

From Secretariat-General

On Saturday afternoon, September 2/15, 2018, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos inaugurated a Sports Centre in Kerak – ancient city of Kyriakoupolis in South Jordan. This Sports Centre was founded within the frame of the “Initiative” of the Council of Churches in the Middle East, after a proposal made by His Beatitude, and the supervising of the Manager of the Patriarchate’s Office Mrs. Wafaa Ksous. The Centre covers an area of five acres which have been donated by the Minister of Public Works and Housing Sami Halasa.

The first buildings for this cause have already been built in the premises with the final aim of completing the appropriate buildings for the sports activities for youth of our congregation as well as for those of other Christian Churches and of the religion of Islam.

In the opening ceremony, His Beatitude honoured the Minister Mr. Halasa for his contribution, offering him a glass painting, as He also awarded ex-Member of Parliament Mr. Fares Ibrahim for his contribution. His Beatitude also offered icons to all who helped in the promotion of this project, an embossed table of Haram Sarif to the architects who belong to the religion of Islam, and an icon of Theotokos to Mrs. Wafaa Ksous and to the sponsors of the project Mr. Swen and his wife Mrs. Nina, who come from Munich of Germany.

After the opening ceremony, a meal was offered at a hotel in the town.

During the meal His Beatitude delivered the following address;

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today for a great occasion, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for being here today.

We are celebrating a unique prospect. In the establishment of this sports centre we are creating a place both for training in sports and also an academy for the training of leaders.

This centre exists to promote two fundamental goods:

First, to encourage our youth to remain in their home towns and communities, because in this venture they can see a future for themselves here.

And secondly, to serve the Muslim and Christian Communities together, who have for generations lived as one family under the rule of the Hashemite Kingdom.

Sports is a global language that does not discriminate. Sports brings people together across every social, religious, political and economic divide, and provides a common ground for new friendships, and new possibilities.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Mother of all the Churches and the cultural mother of this land, is grateful to Almighty God for having given us this opportunity to establish this centre. For this centre is a blessing for our beloved Jordan and its people, and a tremendous encouragement for other projects of a similar nature that benefit our people and the integrity of our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

We are deeply grateful to His Excellency the Minister, who has given this land to the Patriarchate to be used for the common social benefit of the inhabitants of the region of Kerak, and for his foresight in seeing the potential of this ambitious venture.

We are also deeply grateful to our German colleagues of Lands Aid, who have been keen to partner with us to establish this unique sports centre academy.

While there is no doubt that this project seems ambitious, at the same time we firmly believe that this centre will promote and serve in a practical way the socio-economic needs of the area. We are also convinced that this project will meet the needs of the local population, especially our youth, who long to have real opportunities for learning and a hope for a future in their homeland. Our sole intention as the Patriarchate is to serve the common good of this community.

We honour today the commitment of His Majesty, King Abdullah II, whose dedication to the well-being of all in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is well known and an inspiration to all. We also acknowledge the support of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, without whose unremitting attentiveness and care this work would not prosper.

May God bless this project and all who are involved in it, and may God bless all the peoples of our beloved Jordan.

Thank you.”

From Secretariat-General

On Friday morning, September 1/14, 2018, day of the feast of the New Ecclesiastical Year, the Service of the Blessing of the water preceded the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal School of Zion. The Services were officiated by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, escorted by Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. Present at the Services were the Members of the School Board, the Most Reverend Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, the Dragouman and School Director Archimandrite Mattheos, the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, the Spiritual Father of the School Students, Hegoumen of the Holy Monastery of Hozeva Archimandrite Constantinos, the School teachers and students.

Before the end of the ceremony His Beatitude spoke to the students in a Fatherly manner, encouraging them to excel in their studies and adjust to the life of the Patriarchate and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, so that if God calls them in the future, they will be ready to take over the ministry of the Church and of the Holy Shrines.

After the ceremony the School Director offered a reception at the School Reception Hall for all present, and guided them at the new renovated rooms through the classrooms on the first floor of the building.

From Secretariat-General

On Sunday August 20/September 2, 2018, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos officiated the Divine Liturgy at the ancient Holy Church of St. Nikolaos in Stegi Kakopetria of Cyprus. Co-celebrants to His Beatitude were the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, His Grace Bishop Nectarios of Arsinoe, Priests from the Archdiocese of Cyprus and other Churches. Participants in the prayer were also His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostom of Cyprus, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Cyprus Most Reverend Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dodoni, while the choirs delivered the hymns in Greek and Arabic.

The purpose of the co-celebration of the Divine Liturgy was the blessing of the camps held in the premises of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus in Kakopetria and which host 100 young people, 20 from the Jerusalem Patriarchate, 20 from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, 20 from the Patriarchate of Antioch and 20 from the Church of Cyprus, according to the decision of the Council of Churches in the Middle East, under the name “Initiative”.

The previous day, Saturday August 19/September 1, 2018, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem stayed at the Exarchy of the Holy Sepulchre in Nicosia and was invited at a meal to his honour by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostom of Cyprus.

Before the Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy in Kakopetria, both His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus and His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem underlined in their speeches the importance of staying at the camps and of the cooperation of the young people from the four ancient Churches for the future cooperation of the Orthodox people in communion with Christ for a praiseworthy Christian witness to the world.

The Divine Liturgy was followed by a meal for the Heads of Churches and their entourages, along with all the young people. During the meal there was hymn chanting and singing of songs in an atmosphere of joy, gladness and agility.

From Secretariat-General

On Thursday August 3/16, 2018, the newly ordained Deacon George (Hader) visited the Patriarchate in order to pay his respects to our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. The Deacon was ordained two days before Thursday at the Holy Sepulchre.
His Beatitude received Fr. George (Hader) warmly, blessing and admonishing him with Fatherly words regarding his new ministry at St.James Cathedral. His Beatitude offered the Deacon an icon of the Theotokos of Jerusalem, whose Dormition we will celebrate at the Church of Jerusalem in a few days, as well as books for Priests for his information and progress.

From Secretariat-General

On Saturday July 15/28, 2018, according to the Synodical Decision, the appointed Archimandrite Raphael undertook his official duty as the Patriarchal Representative of North Jordan, in the town of Irbet.

This was serviced during the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St. George in Irbet. The Service was officiated by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, with co-celebrants the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia, and the Most Reverend Archbishops; Aristarchos of Constantina and Secretary-General, Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, Aristovoulos of Madaba, Philoumenos of Pella, and the established Archimandrite Raphael as the Patriarchal Representative in North Jordan, the Ministering Priests of Irbet, Priest Abdullah and Priest Jordan, Deacon Eulogios, and the Deacon of Madaba Shrine Fr. George. The parish choir delivered the hymns in Arabic and Greek and many faithful attended the service, participating in the prayer for their new Pastor.

His Beatitude delivered the following Sermon to this congregation;

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3), St. Paul commands the Priests.

Reverend Archimandrite Raphael,

By Our Patriarchal proposal Our Holy and Sacred Synod has appointed you Patriarchal Representative, at the North Hashemite Kindgom of Jordan at the town of Irbet, having considering your long-term fruitful ministry at the holy shrine of the God-receiving Cage in Bethllehem, along with your zealous pastoral activity,

You are called to undertake this new pastoral ministry at the vineyard of our Holy Church of Jerusalem the Mother of all Churches, hearkening to the words of the chief of the Apostles Peter who says: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:13).

And we say this because “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matt. 9:37), and “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word [of the Lord’s Gospel]; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22), as it is being revealed by the signs of the time.

Our Holy Church of Jerusalem, having as its first Hierarch the Holy Apostle James the Brother of God, who was ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ, and received the lot of this spiritual jurisdiction at the Promised Land on either side of the River Jordan, has never ceased to evangelize the kenotic love of Christ on the cross, hearkening again to St. Peter words who says: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:21-24).

Irrefutable witnesses of the Evangelism of Christ’s love are the Greek-Orthodox monuments which have been preserved throughout the ages in the inward parts of the blessed land of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the living Christian Greek-Orthodox Communities which enjoy the respect of their religious identity and the total freedom of exercising their church services. This truth is witnessed in this town (Irbet) and its outskirts by its inhabitants, the Christians who live in harmony with their fellow citizens who follow other religions.

The venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood which has been established by God’s providence as the guardian and minister of the Holy Shrines and our Christian Congregation, continues its mission following St. Paul’s commandment to his disciple Timothy: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5).

Therefore, you, Father Raphael, genuine child of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, bring to a good end the ministry that has been given to you in the Church. Multiply the gift you have received by the Holy Spirit to be a steward at the house of God, continuing the God-pleasing work of your predecessor Most Reverend Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella “being an example to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

And honour your elders “as the congress of God and league of the Apostles” (St. Ignatios). “For Priesthood is ranked at the top of every good thing among men; and the one that is enraged towards it does not dishonor any man, but God and Jesus Christ, the first-born and the only High Priest by nature. Do therefore every single thing in good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the priests; the priests to the Bishop; the Bishop to Christ, as He was subject to the Father” St. Ingatios orders (BEΠ, vol. 2, p. 315).

It is precisely this good order in Christ what is being suggested by the care of the Spiritual Shepherd and especially of the leading Priests, to whom St. Paul says; “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).

Indeed, in this did all the saints and the martyrs of Christ’s love bear witness, just like today’s commemorated Saint Ioulita with her son Kyrikos, who became “bright stars at the fixation of the sky, brightening the whole world by their wonders” according to the hymn writer.

Let us entreat them, so that along with the Most Blessed Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary they may intercede to our Lord and God to grant us, Father Raphael, a leading and pastoral Spirit, mercy and peace to our souls, and to our Reverend King Abdullah II and His family and the Hashemite Kingdom of our beloved Jordan, strength, health, and longevity. We also pray for every good thing for the people of this country and for the preservation of the holy places and the Holy City of Jerusalem which are under the custody of His Majesty.

And now, reverend Archimandrite Father Raphael, receive the Precious Cross of the Lord, the weapon against the devil, so that by It, you may guide the footsteps of your flock to the working of the Lord’s commandments. Amen.”

The Patriarchal Representative replied to His Beatitude’s words as follows;

Your Beatitude Father and Master,

On behalf of the holy clergy and the people, we welcome You today in Irbet, the seat of the Patriarchal Region of North Jordan, with feelings of deep honour, due respect and spiritual joy, and we say, “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord”, along with the words of Prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (in Romans 10:15).

Your presence is a great blessing to us, because You come from the Holy City of Jerusalem bringing us the grace and the blessing of the All-holy and Life-giving Tomb and of all the Holy Shrines of the Holy Land. Your blessed presence strengthens and supports us and  also denotes the unity of our local Church.

Your Beatitude, in confession may I say, that obeying Your command and the decision of the Holy Synod, I came to this blessed place, repeating Christ’s words, “I have come to minister”. I have come to minister the mystery of the salvation of the flock and offer God’s blessing freely. I came to share with these people their joys and sorrows. Since my first day in this blessed place I felt at home. I found open doors and hearts. I found blessed Priests who work for the good of the Church and the congregation silently, and who welcomed me with much love. I found noble people who respect and honour the clergy. But especially I found children, young men and women who love Christ and His Church. Your Beatitude, I came to minister this holy clergy and people of God, and I will stand by their side praying that God may grant them health and every good thing.

This sacred hour, before You, I call all of them to cooperate with me for the glory of God and His holy Church. I call upon the Priests the members of the Ecclesiastical councils, our choir singers, the laity who work for the Church, men and women, those in charge of the Young and the Church Schools, the Scouts and all who work for the Church and I ask them to continue their work with the same zeal as before.

All together in the body of the Church should participate actively and use the gifts they have received from God. Today there is a new beginning at the ministry of our Region and they are a part of that. I will not be able to do a single thing by myself. We should do the best we can together. That is why I want them to be with me, the Clergy and the laity who work for the Church, I ask for their prayers, help and cooperation.

I strongly feel the need to thank from the depths of my heart all here present at the Church of St. George. I thank all the holy Bishops who came to participate at the beginning of my new ministry and ask for their prayers for me the unworthy. I also thank all the Priests, the choirs, the young people, the scouts and all of you, and I ask you to pray for my unworthiness.

I also would like to thank all the security forces, who have joined us since early in the morning. And we glorify God for the blessing of this security in our blessed country, which is owed to the wise Hashemite leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein II.

Your Beatitude,

Especially I thank You from the depths of my heart, for Your trust in me, Your Fatherly advice and love, and I would like to ask You to pray that I may perform my duties in fear of God.

I ask Your Patriarchal blessing and as You son, I pray that the Trinitarian God may grant You many years to come, steadfast health, strong faith and a mind set in both the Cross and the Resurrection, so that guided by the Holy Spirit You may lead the Christian Congregation of the venerable Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in continuous spiritual fruition and radiate the Light of the Cross and the Resurrection in our time.”

Consequently there was a reception at the reception hall.

This was followed by a meal at a town restaurant offered by the Patriarchate. During the meal, His Beatitude addressed the guests as follows;

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:9-10) “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:17-18), St. Paul orders.

Dear and Reverend Fathers and Brothers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We thank the Holy and Most Merciful God, Who has deigned us worthy to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St. George on this blessed occasion of the undertaking of duty of Reverend Archimandrite Raphael, our Patriarchal Representative at the town of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Irbet and its outskirts.

We are especially glad because the pastoral care of the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in its spiritual jurisdiction on either side of the River Jordan is being continued without any hurdle. This is owed to the free exercising of the religious and worshiping events that all the religious and thus the Christian Communities in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan enjoy.

The mission of the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate, namely the Jerusalem Church, is based on the Lord’s commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:37-39).

The one who loves God “with all his heart” cannot help but love his neighbour also, as St. Paul preaches: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

The All-holy Shrines which have been ministered throughout the centuries in self-denial and self-sacrifice by the monastic order of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, evangelize and preach peace among men.

The contribution of the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate and its Hagiotaphite Brotherhood to both the preservation of the Holy Land as a place of worship and prayer, and the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims, and of the Abrahamic religions in general, is recognized by all and especially by our reverend King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah bin All-Hussein II, since the Christian and Islamic shrines in Jerusalem are under His custody.

We, hearkening to the words of wise Paul: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19) have come to the appointment by our Holy Synod of the Patriarchal Representatives in Amman, Madaba, Irbet and elsewhere, in order to provide for the spiritual and social needs of our Christian congregation and to also reinforce the difficult but God-pleasing pastoring work of our beloved reverend Priests.

For all these, we think we should express our heartfelt thanks to all of you, who have honoured with your presence our reception, and especially the local civil authorities, the military and police forces and much more the reverend and most dear to Us King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah bin Al-Hussein II, whose leadership is a guarantee of stability and peaceful co-existence of the different cultural and religious communities living in this country and in the Middle East. Long live the King!

Finally, We should not fail to praise the pastoral and social work of the Most Reverend Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella during his ministry as our Patriarchal Representative in Irbet. To both Archimandrite Raphael and the Most Reverend Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, we wish success in their new ministry and mission. Amen”.

From Secretariat-General 

At an indefinite time during last week, 9th/14th to 22nd /27th July 2018, unknown people, most probably belonging to the radical religious group from the district of Prophet David’s Tomb, violated the Pentecost Chapel three times. The Chapel belongs to the Patriarchate’s jurisdiction and is located by the Patriarchal School on the hill of Holy Zion.

The Jerusalem Patriarchate protested strongly to the Israeli Police for this violation which is one of many, and asked the finding of the offenders and the imposing of the appropriate penalties in accordance to the Israeli law for this illegal action, emphasizing especially the need for the peaceful religious co-existence in the Holy Land.

From Secretariat-General

On Thursday morning, June 15/28, 2018, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge Prince William, firstborn son of Prince Charles of Wales and of Princess Diana, and Grandson of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth, visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre while on a trip to the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. His Royal Highness was escorted by the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem Most Reverend Souhel Dawani, members of the Consulate of Great Britain in Jerusalem and of the Israeli Police force.

His Royal Highness Prince William was escorted and guided around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the All-Holy Tomb, St. Nicodemus Tomb, the Horrendous Golgotha and the Sacristy where the Sacred Wood of the Cross is, by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Fathers.  

At the Horrendous Golgotha, His Beatitude addressed Prince William as follows:

Your Royal Highness,

Your Excellency, Mr. Ambassador,

Your Excellency, Mr. Consul General,

Your Eminences,

Your Graces,

Distinguished Friends,

We welcome you, Your Royal Highness, to the Holy City of Jerusalem and to this most Holy Place, where our Lord Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, shed His blood to bring reconciliation and peace to humankind. Here, reconciliation was made manifest between God and humanity, and within the human family. Here, our common human destiny was revealed.

As we read in the Psalms, Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Ps. 85:10). Here, this meeting was accomplished on the Cross.

You come to the Middle East and to the Holy Land as a pilgrim of reconciliation and peace, a witness to the truth that reconciliation and peace are of outmost importance to the human community. This region in particular cries out for a new birth of reconciliation and peace, a new birth that will come only from the greatest labour. For without such a sacrifice, without such willingness to give everything for reconciliation and peace, there can be no way forward.

The Christian Community has managed to remain in this region for over 2000 years, because we are a community of reconciliation. The Cross of the risen Christ is the Cross of hope, for the Cross is the assurance that just such peace and reconciliation are possible.

We appreciate your presence among us, for your presence brings hope in turbulent times. We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the Duchess of Cambridge on the recent birth of your son, Prince Louis. We pray to Almighty God that you will be sustained in your mission, and that you will draw strength from your visit to the tomb of your noble Grandmother, Princess Alice, as well as to this Holy place, to be an agent of reconciliation and peace in our world. Thank you.

Finishing His address, His Beatitude offered the Prince and icon of the Sacred Edicule and then a reception was offered to His Highness at the Office of Geronda Sacristan Most Reverend Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis.

Having completed His visit at the most historic and sacred shrine of Christianity, as He said, and thanking for the welcoming reception, His Highness the Duke of Cambridge departed in order to continue His mission.

From Secretariat-General

On Friday afternoon, June 2/15, 2018, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos visited the President of the Greek Democracy Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos.

On this visit the President of Democracy reassured His Beatitude on the undivided support to the Jerusalem Patriarchate not only from the Greek Government, but also from the Greek people as a whole, as the Patriarchate is the source of Christianity, the guardian of the Holy Tomb, from which the Light of the Resurrection has dawned, as well as the light of the truth of Christianity, of righteousness, freedom, and love; all these are values that form the foundation of the current Western European civilization.

His Beatitude thanked the President on behalf of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood for this visit and for the support of Greece to the Holy Sepulchre and the Shrines, and said that the President’s visit to the Holy Land has left its mark on both the Governmental authorities and the Christians of the Holy Land who have their say about it.
From Secretariat-General