On the evening of Saturday, the 8^th/21^st of May 2016, the graduation ceremony of the Patriarchate’s School in Ramallah took place. Representing the Patriarch at this well-organized ceremony were: His Eminence Theophanes, Archbishop of Gerassa; the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Patriarchate’s schools in Israel, Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegumen at St George Monastery in Fhes, Jordan; and f. Issa Mousleh, the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arabic-speaking media.

The ceremony began with a prayer, the National Anthem of the Palestinian Autonomy and of Greece, and the parade of the graduates. In his opening address, the School’s Principal underlined the significance of the Patriarchate’s support in establishing and empowering the School for twelve years, so as to educate students and define their character.

A representative of the graduates spoke on their behalf in Arabic, English and Greece, extending thanks to parents and teachers alike.

The ceremony continued with a performance of Palestinian songs and dances by students of various ages, before closing with the Patriarch’s speech, read by f. Issa Mousleh (to be posted soon).

As a token of gratitude, the School bestowed a plaque on His Beatitude by the hands of Archbishop Theophanes and f. Ieronymos.

In closing, the Archbishop of Gerassa addressed students with paternal words, congratulated the event’s organizers and conferred diplomas as well as awards of excellence to graduates.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/hsVGFxj53TE

For the period between the 13^th and the 18^th of May, the holy Icon of Panagia Hagiotaphite will be on display at the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in Cyprus. On the occasion of the icon’s blessed arrival, a supplication will be made at 6:00 pm of the 13^th, followed by Vespers on the 14^th and Prelatic Divine Liturgy on Sunday the 15^th. The church will be open every day for veneration from 8:30 -13:00 and 15:00-20:00.

From the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in Cyprus

On the morning of Monday, the 26th of April/9th of May 2016, His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Church, visited the Patriarchate. The Ethiopian Patriarch and His entourage were warmly received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion took place in the framework of the meeting, on the harmonious relations between the Ethiopian Church and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. In his address, the Patriarch of Ethiopia made reference to these relations.

In His reply speech, Patriarch Theophilos said: “Your visit to Jerusalem, where you had served as Archbishop, is a big honour for us. It is a blessing for both Churches, of Jerusalem and Ethiopia, and it urges us to remember our historical and political links. Your visit is a testament to Jerusalem, now challenged by political tension. We preserve the spirituality of Jerusalem, fight for its holiness as we fight for the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, and for the resolution of the problem of the Ethiopian Church near Abraham’s Monastery.

An exchange of gifts followed, as the Ethiopian Patriarch offered a diptych icon of Ethiopian ascetic saints, and Patriarch Theophilos offered a mother-of-pearl engolpion and cross, and the icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite in Gethsemane. The “Christ Has Risen” hymn was then sang in Greek and Ethiopian, after which the Ethiopian Patriarch continued his visit to the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4fZP6vuxYZg

On Tuesday of Bright Week, 20th of April/3rd of May 2016, the foreign Denominations of Jerusalem paid visits to the Patriarchate on the occasion of Easter.

At 9.15 am of the aforementioned day, the Franciscan Custody of the Roman Catholic Church arrived at the Patriarchate, followed at 10:00 am by the other Communities, namely of the Latin Patriarchate, the Copts, Syrians, Ethiopians, Anglicans, Lutherans and other, smaller ones. At 11:00 am, Rum Orthodox Communities called on the Patriarchate. At 11:30 am, the Apostolic Delegate, representative of the Vatican in Jerusalem, arrived at the Patriarchate, followed, at 12:15 pm by representatives of the Armenians in Jerusalem.

During the visits, the representatives addressed the Patriarch. His Beatitude responded in English, first to the Franciscans, then to all Denominations and, finally, to the Armenians. See link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/05/03/23219

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/05/03/23224

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/05/03/23226

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/t6XcbA6dLIY

On the occasion of the completion of thirty years since the destruction in Chernobyl, a memorial service was held for the victims on the Saturday of Lazarus, in the presence of the Ukrainian Ambassador to Doha, Mr Yevgeni Mykytekno, and several faithful.

The Services of the Holy Week and the Glorious Resurrection were performed with special brilliance at the Holy Archbishopric of Qatar.

A crowd of faithful, from cities of the Emirate, but also of Saudi Arabia, partook of the Divine Liturgy with piety and reverence.

The services were performed in the Greek, Arabic, Slavic, Serbian, Romanian and English languages for the most thorough participation of the multilingual flock. Hieropsalts marvellously performed hymns, whilst choirs performed the Engomia of Holy Friday in Arabic, Greek and Romanian.

On the night of Holy Saturday, the Ambassadors of Greece, Georgia, Romania, and representatives of the Embassies of Russia, Serbia and Moldavia in Qatar attended the Resurrection service.

From the Archbishopric of Qatar

Immediately after the Holy Light Ceremony on Holy Saturday, the 30^th of April 2016, at the Holy Sepulchre, the Patriarchal Entourage, led by the Boy Scouts of Jerusalem, walked to the Patriarchate amidst bells joyfully tolling.

They were followed by a Delegation of the Church of Greece, led by the Most Reverend Theologos, Metropolitan of Serres; a Delegation of the Greek State, led by Under Secretary of State, Mr Amanatides; the President of PAOK, Mr Savvides, accompanied by the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Greece, Archimandrite Damianos, and the Greek Consulate in Jerusalem, but also the Cypriot Delegation headed by the Exarch in Nicosia, Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra.

To the members of the Delegation His Beatitude delivered the Holy Light of the Holy Sepulchre, wishing that the light of Christ’s Resurrection give strength to our brothers the refugees and to pious Greek supporting the Holy Shrines. He also congratulated Mr Savvides on providing help to the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5Muctoj_cko

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 6^th-7^th/19^th-20^th of April 2016, the Atlanta Summit took place in the United States between representatives of American and Palestinian Churches “pursuing peace and strengthening presence”.

At the meeting, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by Archdeacon Evlogios, Professor Moropoulou and Ms Anna Koulouri, addressed participants in English.

The Patriarch’s speech was titled: “The Church and its Roots in the Holy Land”.

See link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/04/19/22615

From the Secretariat-General

On Thursday, the 1^st/14^th of April 2016, Mr Ivan Savvides, accompanied by his wife and a small entourage, visited the Patriarchate. He was received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, Patriarch Theophilos informed Mr Savvides of the Patriarchate’s religious and cultural work in the Holy Land, as representative of all Orthodox Rums, Greeks, Romanians, Arabs, Ukrainians and other Orthodox nations.

Hagiotaphite Fathers have always served as guards of the Holy Sites of Veneration, and some of them suffered a martyr’s death, i.e. St Philoumenos at Jacob’s Well, and hegumen Germanos of the Monastery of Hozeva.

Mr Savvides was then decorated with the medal of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of his love and support of the Patriarchate, manifest in his donation to nun Danielia who, with the blessing of the Patriarchate, has inaugurated a bookbindery on the Mount of Olives.

The Patriarch offered Mr Savvides a fine icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite, and Jerusalemite eulogias to his wife and attendants.

Mr Savvides then left, accompanied by the Master-of-Ceremonies and Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Bartholomew, and nun Danielia, to venerate at the Church of the Resurrection, the Holy Sepulchre, and Golgotha, before visiting Mount of Olives, accompanied by the Patriarch and nun Danielia.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nx9wjO0AMMw

On Wednesday, the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2016, the President of Israel, Mr Reuven Rivlin, met with the Heads of Jerusalem Churches as representatives of Christians within the State of Israel.

At the meeting, that took place at the Presidential Palace, an interesting discussion took place between the Heads of Churches and President Rivlin on incidents of fanatic violence committed by extreme religious and political individuals and groups, both locally and internationally, an on ways of combatting them.

In the context of the meeting, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusaalem, addressed President Rivlin in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/04/13/22460

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 24^th of March/6^th of April 2016, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus, Mr N. Kouyialis, accompanied by Ms Anthoulla Charalambous Savvides, Director of the Minister’s Office; Mr Charalambos Hadjipakos, Environmental Services Officer; the Ambassador of Cyprus to Israel, Ms Thessalia Shambos, and Ms Louiza Varaklas, visited the Patriarchate.

The Minister and his entourage were cordially welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the contribution of the Patriarchate to the peaceful interreligious coexistence of the residents of the Holy Land, mostly through its schools, attended by both Christians and Muslims. 

Reference was also made to the property of the Patriarchate in Cyprus, and the relations between the Patriarchate and the Church of Cyprus, as well as the recent re-establishment of its Exarchate on the island.

On the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude offered the Minister and his entourage Jerusalemite eulogias.

Mr Kouyialis thanked Patriarch Theophilos and requested His blessings for the success of his visit to Israel, before going on to venerate at the Church of the Resurrection, the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/RAHDFyDQUYk