On the morning of Monday, the 30^th of August/12^th of September 2016, the new school year 2016-2017 was launched with a blessing-of-the-water rite at the Patriarchal Hieratical School on the Hill of St Sion. The rite was performed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Christos Sofianopoulos, the President of the School Board, His Eminence Isidoros of Hierapolis, the Elder Secretary General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia,  Hegumen Constantinos of Hozeva Monastery, Principal N. Souliotis, teachers and students.

At the ceremony, Patriarch Theophilos advised students to be diligent during the new school year and cultivate the Christian ethos in preparation of their participation in the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

In his address, the Greek Consul-General, Mr C. Sofianopoulos, said that significant national work is performed at the Patriarchal School of Sion, as children are taught the Greek education by means of an especially valuable educational process that promotes the unity of knowledge and faith. “The Greek and ecclesiastical education acquired here”, said Mr Sofianopoulos, “is closely linked to the future of our Patriarchate, for which it constitutes a supreme asset, whilst being a valuable skill for each student, enabling them to tackle, in the best possible way, the many and great contemporary challenges”. In closing, the Greek Consul-General pledged support on behalf of the Consulate, in order for the School to carry on achieving its elevated purpose.

The ceremony was followed by reception at the School Office, hosted by the Principal, Mr N. Souliotis.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/OuHiajrcVqk

The deliberations of the General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches carried on in Amman, Jordan, according to schedule, on Wednesday the 25^th of August/7^th of September 2016.

Speakers’ presentations on the morning of the aforementioned day focused on the challenges facing Christians in the Middle East, on their obligation to remain in this land, the birthplace of Christianity, and from there provide testament on a local, national and international level, in collaboration with Western Churches and the Diaspora. References were also made on the Christians’ dialogue with Muslims in the context of current political challenges and especially on decisions at their expense.

During the course of the day, the Assembly General appointed different Committees e.g. on the MECC’s strategy and activities; ecumenical dialogue; the relations between Christians and Muslims; the Mass Media and communication; administration and finances; and the Final Declaration – the Message of the Assembly General.

Before the conclusion of the day’s deliberations, addresses were made by guests, partners and financial advisors.

From the Secretariat-General

From Tuesday the 24^th of August/6^th of September 2016 to Thursday the 26^th of August/8^th of September 2016, the Convention of the 11^th General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) takes place in Amman, Jordan, at the Royal Hotel, under the protection of His Majesty Abdullah II King of Jordan. The Assembly is hosted by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

In attendance at the meeting were all members of the MECC, namely:

1. The Orthodox Family, comprised of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus;
2. The Pre-Chalcedonian Family, comprised of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Cilicia, the Coptic Orthodox Church of St Mark, Alexandria, and the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch;
3. The Evangelical Family, comprised of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the Coptic Evangelical Church (Synod of the Nile), the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the National Evangelical Church in Syria and Lebanon, the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Church in the Near East, the National Evangelical Church of Lebanon, the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait;
4. The Catholic Family, comprised of the Syrian Catholic Church of Antioch, the Maronite Syrian Church of Antioch, the Melkite (Greek) Catholic Church of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem, the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The General Assembly was so far headed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, as Chairman of the Orthodox Family;  the Armenian Catholic Patriarch Aram of Cilicia for the Pre-Chalcedonian Church; Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan for the Evangelical Family; and Patriarch Ignatius Youssef of Antioch and All the East for the Catholic Family. Maronite Fr. Michel Jalakh serves as General Secretary of the MECC.

Each Orthodox Church was represented by its Head, namely: Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria, Patriarch John of Antioch, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus.

The deliberations of the General Assembly began on Tuesday the 24^th of August/6^th of September 2016.

Following a prayer allowed in such meetings, and the National Anthem of Jordan, His Beatitude Theophilos addressed participants in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/09/06/26263

Addresses were also delivered by the other three Chairmen of the MECC, namely Patriarch Aram of Cilicia, Patriarch Ignatius Youssef of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Munib Younan of the Lutheran Church.

Other heads of Churches also took the podium, e.g. the Patriarch of Alexandria, the Archbishop of Cyprus and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew – the latter’s speech delivered by Metropolitan Benedictus of Philadelphia.

On the conclusion of the opening ceremony, deliberations began, regarding administrative issues, the assignment of roles, the setting up of Committees e.g. the Representation Committee for a four-year tenure, the Nomination Committee, Committee of Finances, Mass Media Committee etc.

The report of the MECC General Secretary, Fr. Michel Jalakh took the stage at the event and may be reached here: www.mecc.org

Along general lines, the report covered the current situation of the MECC, one of administrative and structural healing with the support of the Churches of the aforementioned Families towards repayment of debts, the conclusion of trials running against it, restoration of the donors’ trust, creation of a new website (www.mecc.org), the continuation of the dialogue between Christianity and Islam, and humanitarian help to Syrian refugees by means of the collaboration between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Church of Cyprus, with the help of the Patriarchate’s Office in Amman, directed by Miss Wafa Goussous – who has hosted eight out of eleven meetings of the MECC Central Committee and General Assemblies.

Fr Jalakh extended his gratitude to all four Chairmen, as well as the King of Jordan, pointing out that the MECC remains the valid institution for the voice of Christians in the Middle East and their protection against manifestations of violence in the region and elsewhere, and towards reconciliation, peace and justice.

During the second session of deliberations, remarks, both positive and negative ones, were expressed in relation to the report, followed by addresses of partners and financial supporters.

The first day of deliberations closed with dinner hosted by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, having Prince Emir Ghazi as a guest. His Beatitude’s address, in English, may be reached here: http://www.jp-newsgate.et/en/2016/09/06/26265

From the Secretariat-General

On the morning of Monday, the 16^th/29^th of August 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, the Master-of-Ceremonies, Archimandrite Bartholomew, and other Hagiotaphite Fathers, walked the stairs of St James the Brother of God and, guided by Professors Moropoulou and Mouzakis, and the architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Theodosios Mitropoulos, went on to inspect the progress of restoration works on the Aedicula inside the Holy Sepulchre, around the Aedicula and in the gallery of the Franciscans to the northwest of the Rotunda, wherein detached marble pieces and rocks are kept for conservation.

His Beatitude expressed joy on the continuation of this complex and multifaceted work. He then informed the Custos of the Holy Land, fr Francesco, and his attendants, fathers Dragomir and Serge, and Architect Usami on the restoration works.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1YZe9ifWHEY

On Thursday, the 12^th/25^th of August 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos conferred on Mr Christos Sofianopoulos, the new Consul-General of Greece to Jerusalem, the title of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in recognition of his services to the nation and his declared desire to collaborate with the Patriarchate on issues pertaining to Romiosini [the Greek Orthodox definition of the nation] within his jurisdiction.

The Consul-General thanked the Patriarch for the honour bestowed upon him and pledged to work with the Patriarchate towards defending the rights of Orthodoxy in the Holy Land and for the resolution of problems facing the Greek Parish in Jerusalem and the Patriarchate’s Arabic-speaking congregation.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/eIg7f7fXsnU

On the afternoon of Sunday, 8^th/21^st August 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the “Prometheus” frigate of the Hellenic Navy, anchored in the port of Haifa. The visit was paid on the kind invitation of Rear Admiral Vasileios Theologitis, addressed on Saturday, 7^th/20^th of August 2016, during his visit to the Patriarchate and the Holy Sepulchre.  

His Beatitude was accompanied by the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Presbyter Simeon of the Bishopric of Nazareth, f. Demetrios of Haifa, Presbyter Nikitas and Hierodeacon Markos.

In the course of His visit, the Patriarch bestowed the distinction of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre to Rear Admiral Theologitis, praising him for his support of the Patriarchate and morally strengthening him in his patriotic task of protecting Greece’s maritime borders.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nrFSg4yDQC0

On Thursday, the 29^th of July/11^th of August, the new Greek Consul General to Jerusalem, Mr Christos Sofianopoulos, accompanied by Consul Vassilis Koinis, visited the Patriarchate upon assuming his new duties. Mr Sofianopoulos was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude spoke of the volatile and unstable political and religious situation in Jerusalem and of the Patriarchate’s contribution to a peaceful resolution through its pacifying and conciliatory role as demonstrated by the leading position it holds in the Council of Churches in the Holy Land and by its recent initiative to mediate for the settlement of disagreements between Copts and Ethiopians at the Der Sultan Monastery near Abraham’s Monastery. Reference was also made on the relations of coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land since the days of the ever-memorable Patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem and Umar Khattab, parties to the Achtiname or Pact of Umar.

The Consul General thanked His Beatitude for updating him while the Patriarch reciprocated with wishes for a fruitful tenure.

From the Secretariat-General

At noon of Wednesday, the 21^st of July/3^rd of August 2016, representatives of the Coptic and Ethiopian Churches in Jerusalem met at the Patriarchate.

The representations consisted of the Coptic Archbishop in Jerusalem, His Eminence Antonious, and the Head of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem, His Eminence Bab Enbakom and their Entourages – Primates from Egypt for the Copts and representatives of the Egyptian and Ethiopian Embassies in Tel Aviv.

The meeting took place on the initiative and invitation of H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, with an eye to launching a dialogue on the resolution of the long and very acute status quo problem between the Coptic and Ethiopian Monasteries. The Monasteries are adjacent to the Church of the Resurrection on the east side and to Abraham Monastery on the north side. At the meeting, His Beatitude addressed guests in English, see link: http://jp-newsgate.net/en/2016/08/03/25579

In His address, Patriarch Theophilos underlined the need to overcome psychological obstacles in order to bring down the walls of differences and allow the beginning of a dialogue for reconciliation and the resolution of the problem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/KTVM4tgML4I

On Saturday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2016, the Custos of the Holy Land, f. Francesco, accompanied by the Franciscan f. Serge, visited the Patriarchate. The new Custos was welcomed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of the visit, f. Francesco thanked Patriarch Theophilos for their collaboration as regards the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre and also for their meeting at the Patriarchate.

His Beatitude congratulated the Custos on his new duties and extended wishes that their collaboration be harmonious as the Patriarch’s relation with his predecessor, for the benefit of peaceful coexistence between Christian Communities in the Holy Shrines, especially in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

His Beatitude’s address in English can be reached here:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/07/30/25503

The Custos thanked the Patriarch for the honour of meeting with him and for the present he received, an icon of Theotokos Jerusalemite, asking for Her mediation in pursuing a solid collaboration for the completion of restoration works on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/obJZlMKbn2c

On Thursday, the 15^th/28^th of July 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes. Toured on the site, the Patriarch admired the ancient Temple dated to the Classical Period, and the Byzantine Church, both restored from the ruins, as well as the entire citadel, surrounded by a wall dated to the Venetian period. From the top of the site, His Beatitude enjoyed the serene, wonderful view to the South and the small port where Paul, the Apostle of the Nations, had anchored.

The site abounded with numerous visitors, either on foot or riding donkeys. At the foothills of the Acropolis, His Beatitude was keen to observe handiwork made by the residents of the local settlement. At the settlement, accompanied by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes, Patriarch Theophilos visited the small underground chapel of St George “Chostos” and the beautiful Church of the Dormition of Theotokos, dated to the 17^th c. The entire church is covered by wall-paintings. Adjacent to it is a museum of ecclesiastical items.

At noon of the same day, His Beatitude, accompanied by Metropolitan Kyrillos, left Rhodes for Athens by airplane. From Athens he boarded a flight of Aegean Airlines and arrived safely in Tel Aviv and from there to Jerusalem, praising God for His visit to Rhodes, which is expected to contribute to the promotion and success of the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, already underway.

From the Secretariat-General