At 10:00 am of Thursday, the 18^th/31^st of March 2016, His Excellency the President of the Greek Republic, Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, whilst on an official visit to Israel, visited the Patriarchate. Mr Pavlopoulos was accompanied by associates of his, the Greek Ambassador to Israel, Mr Spyridon Lambrides, the Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr G. Zacharoudiakis, and employees of the Greek Embassy and Consulate in Jerusalem.

His Excellency the Greek President was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and several Hagiotaphite Fathers.

At the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos addressed Mr Pavlopoulos in Greek, saying that the Holy Sites of Veneration are inextricably linked to the spiritual grandeur of Hellenism and that “The Greek state, upon its independence, undertook the holy duty of moral and tangible enhancement and defense of its innate privileges and sovereign rights on the Holy Shrines. That is why”, His Beatitude added, “during the prelacy of our ever memorable predecessor, Patriarch Benedictus, the guarding power of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of its well understood interests was recognized both internationally and locally, namely by the State authorities of Israel, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Palestinians”. The Patriarch went on to say that the Patriarchate, centered around Jerusalem, the spiritual capital of all religions and all Christian denominations, is de facto called upon to contribute to the arrangement of the current political conflict by means of its spiritual and moral powers. And this, added the Patriarch, because the Holy Shrines provide a guarantee for the stay of Christians in the Holy Land and in the wider region of the Middle East.

Patriarch Theophilos went on to bestow on Mr Pavlopoulos the supreme distinction of the Great Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre for his contribution to the nation and the Church.

In response, the Greek President conferred upon His Beatitude the supreme medal of Saviour of the Greek State, reserved only for leaders of states and heads of Patriarchates.

“The Order of the Saviour” read the text accompanying the medal, “is hierarchically the first Order of Excellence. Its establishment was decided in 1829 by the Fourth National Assembly in Argos. The name and form of the medal were chosen to remind everyone that the National Regeneration was made possible owing to the divine support of the Saviour”.

The subsequent exchange of gifts was followed by discussion on the work of the Patriarchate and the launched project of conservation and restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, in alignment with the study conducted by an interdisciplinary team of the National Technical University of Athens under the supervision of Professor A. Moropoulou.

On the conclusion of the meeting, the Greek President, accompanied by the Patriarch and Hagiotaphite Fathers, went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulchre, where he was updated by Professor Moropoulou on the restoration works.

Mr Pavlopoulos also visited Golgotha and the Holy Cross at the Office of the Elder Sacristan of the Church of the Resurrection, where he was welcomed by Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, before continuing his visit to Israel.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/t420Ppj-9zo

On the afternoon of Thursday, the 11^th/24^th of March 2016, the anniversary of Greece’s national day of the 25^th of March 1821 was celebrated at the hall of events of the Patriarchal School on the Holy Sion.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Patriarch was accompanied by the President of the School Board, Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis; the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias; the Exarch in Constantinople, Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon; the Master of Ceremonies and Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Bartholomew, numerous Hagiotaphite Fathers, and teachers at the School. The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem and his wife attended the celebrations with Mr Vasileios Koinis and other employees of the Greek Consulate, monks, nuns, members of the Greek parish and pilgrims.

The celebrations for the Greek national day included panegyric speeches by Scholarch Nikolaos Souliotis and philologist Christos Kontogiannis, videos on the foundation of the ‘Society of Friends’, the preparation for the fight by A. Ypselantis, and the launch of the war by Germanos of Old Patras, poems and songs on the 1821 Greek Revolution, a play about the operation of the ‘Secret School’, and the National Anthem.

In his opening address, Mr Souliotis referred to the symbolism of the 25^th of March, the day on which Christianity celebrates one of its greatest feasts. “The message”, Mr Souliotis said, “of soulful redemption carried by the Archangel into the conscience of the slaves, became identified with the message of the Revolution for national liberation. This holy day inscribed in gold the word Freedom onto the consciences of Greeks and others. A handful of people ignorant of war dared to stand against the organized army of the Turks, their only weapon being a brave soul and valiance”.

Mr Kontogiannis delivered the panegyric of the day, followed by patriotic songs, recitation of poems, video projections and plays performed by the students.

The adversities suffered by the Greek race as a result of a 400-year Turkish occupation, were commemorated at the event: persecutions, confiscation of properties, deprivation of elementary human freedoms, murders, abductions and other acts of inhumanity and barbarity.

Special reference was made to acts of bravery and heroism by the fighters of the Revolution, since its launch by Archbishop Germanos and throughout its course: Kolokotronis, Athanasios Diakos, Hierodeacon Papaflessas, Karaiskakis, Miaoulis, Kanaris, general Ypselantis and unknown men who sacrificed their lives in Souli, Mesolongi, Psarra and other regions of the Peloponnese, Continental Greece and the Aegean Islands, until the Sea Battle of Navarino in 1834 and the liberation of Greece as a free state.

Moved by the Revolution’s patriotic spirit, the Patriarch and the Consul-General congratulated contributors to the celebration and wished students progress and success in their duties.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/G-TZjLRAzbM

On Tuesday, the 9^th/22^nd of March 2016, the Name Day of H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was celebrated in commemoration of St Theophilos, one of the Holy Martyrs who had suffered a martyr’s death in the year 320 AD, during the reign of Licinius, in Lake Sebaste, Pontus.

A’ Vespers

The feast began in the form of Parrhesia through the reading of the Ninth Hour at the Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by procession to the Church of the Resurrection, censing and veneration at the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

Vespers was then held at the katholikon, upon which the Patriarchal Entourage returned to the Patriarchates.

B’ On feast-day 

On the morning of Tuesday, the 9^th/22^nd of March 2016, the Patriarchal Entourage walked to the Church of the Resurrection where the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was led by Patriarch Theophilos, having as concelebrants: Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth and Benedict of Philadelphia, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arabic-speaking presbyters, Archdeacon Evlogios and Hierodeacons Anastasios and Markos. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang, aided by novice Georgios Papanikolaou, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem and several pilgrims.

The divine Liturgy was followed by Doxology.

The service was broadcast live over the internet on the Patriarchate’s Radio Station.

Upon return to the Patriarchates, His Beatitude was addressed by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem.

In his speech, Mr Zacharoudiakis conveyed the unwavering support of the Greek Government to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, declaring their acknowledgement, appreciation and respect for the Patriarch’s tireless efforts and multidimensional contribution, and underling the absolute confidence with which He is invested. “The unprecedented change and rapid developments of our times”, said the Consul-General, “especially in the troubled region of the Middle East, project once more the Rum-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem as a fulcrum of modesty, prudence and stability that, by means of its moral and spiritual stature, contributes to the fight against blind fanaticism and to the defence of justice, the strengthening of understanding and solidarity as well as to the achievement of progress in the efforts towards peace in the suffering Middle East”.

Mr Sami Halasa, Minister of Public Works of the Government of Jordan, and representative of the king of Jordan, also addressed the Patriarch.

Moreover, Metropolitans, Patriarchal Commissioners, representatives of Communities and of sister Orthodox Churches and of the Arabic-speaking flock paid tribute to Patriarch Theophilos.

Extending thanks to those honouring Him, the Patriarch urged everyone to emulate the virtue of the saints in the face of contemporary persecutors of the Church of Christ, who rage against the faithful members of His Church and their innocent fellow citizens. “Lets us therefore pray to the saints”, concluded the Patriarch, “so that by their mediation we provide testament of the love and forbearance of Christ our Saviour,  and we become worthy of peace and concord during these days of the holy Forty-Day Lent before reaching the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

The festive gathering was followed by meatless monastic lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ozEJiGkvl3w

httpv://youtu.be/P09L83ebPRc

httpv://youtu.be/J3EAyNoXzbo

On Thursday, the 26^th of February/10^th of March 2016, the President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, Mr Yiannakis Omirou, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by associates of his, namely the General Director of the House, Ms Vasiliki Anastasiadou, the Director of the President’s Office, Mr Antonios Koutalianos, the House’s Director of International Relations, Ms Evi Hadjiyanni, the Consul of Cyprus to Tel Aviv, Mr Michalis Fyrillas, International Relations Officer, Ms Sophie Tsouris, as well as the Ambassador of Cyprus to Israel, Ms Thessalia Shambou, and Ms Louisa Varaklas.

The distinguished guest was received by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

Mr Omirou said he was happy and honoured to visit the Patriarchate, extending thanks to the Patriarch for the wise manner in which He handles issues pertaining to Hellenism and Orthodoxy in the context of His pastoral diaconate and for His support of the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

On his part, His Beatitude expressed joy over the centuries-long collaboration between the Patriarchate and the Republic of Cyprus, over the presence of Cypriot Hagiotaphites and over the fact that the Holy Sepulchre’s Exarchate in Cyprus was recently renovated.

After the exchange of gifts, Mr Omirou asked for the Patriarch’s blessing before going on to venerate at the church of the Resurrection.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/_aKGeksi6Qo

On the afternoon of Monday, the 23^rd of February/7^th of March 2016, the Romanian President, Mr Klaus Werner Iohannis, accompanied by a group of Romanian government officials, the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Ms Andreea Păstârnac and his esteemed wife, visited the Patriarchate.

His Excellency the Romanian President and his entourage were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. The Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, and Archimandrite Porphyrios had accompanied the Romanian President to the Patriarchate from the Gate of David.

Upon arrival at the Hall of the Throne, Patriarch Theophilos addressed Mr Iohannis in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/03/07/21304

His Beatitude went on to bestow on the Romanian President the honorary distinction of Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of his support of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of the Mother of Churches.

Touched, Mr Iohannis thanked the Patriarch for the distinction and offered him a plaque with stamps of Romania.

An interesting discussion followed on the harmonious relations between the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Romania, whilst guests were hosted to a reception before both the Patriarch and the Romanian President walked in procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

There, Mr Iohannis venerated at the Holy Sepulchre, the Katholikon and Golgotha before proceeding to the office of the Elder Sacristan wherein the Holy Cross and relics of saints are kept.

From there, the Romanian President left to carry on his visit to Israel.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/lfjIyFGb3G0

In the context of a modest ceremony at the Patriarchate, on the morning of Tuesday, the 10^th/23^rd of February 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, bestowed the Medal of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher to Metropolitan Kyrill of Yekaterinburg of the Patriarchate of Russia. Pious pilgrim, Mr Boris Sokol, was awarded the Crusader Medal.

This honorary distinction was conferred upon Metropolitan Kyrill and Mr Sokol for their devout disposition and active participation in and contribution to the Holy Aedicula conservation and protection project, currently in progress.

Both men thanked His Beatitude and pledged to carry on their noble efforts in the benefit of the Holy Sepulchre.

On the conclusion of the ceremony, the Youth Choir of the Bishopric of Yekaterinburg sang the Patriarch’s Polychronion and St Nektarios’ poem to Theotokos in Russian and Greek.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/wVvW4onXqvY

On the morning of Wednesday the 28^th of January/10^th of February 2016, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Mr Olav Fykse Tveit, accompanied by Mr Yussef Daher and another associate of his, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Tveit was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the workings of the Gathering of the Heads of Orthodox Churches in Geneva between the 21^st to the 29^th of January 2016. Some of the events that occurred in the framework of deliberations were attended by the General Secretary and his associates. Representatives of the World Council of Churches visited the Council’s Centre in Bossé and sat at a dinner hosted in their honour.

The General Secretary informed Patriarch Theophilos on the Council’s scheduled activities in the Middle East and any area plagued by conflict, with the aim of bringing justice and peace.

Patriach Theophilos went on to suggest that the World Council of Churches encourage the organization of pilgrimages to the Holy Land for the spiritual strengthening and education of pilgrims bearing testimony to Christianity in the Holy Land, and also for the moral and financial support of Christians in the area.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Tveit thanked His Beatitude for the collaboration between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the World Council of Churches.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/pfcyI9tVkYk

On the evening of Saturday, the 24^th of January/6^th of February 2016, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Most Reverend Joachim, Metropolitan of Zambia, blessed the pie-cutting ceremony at the Society of the Greek parish in West Jerusalem, near the Greek Consulate-General, a donation of the late Sacristan of the Holy Sepulchre, Archimandrite Efthymios, to the Greek Parish.

The ceremony was attended by the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Georgios Zacharoudiakis, the President of the Greek Parish, Mr Anastasios Damianos, the personnel of the Greek Consulate, members of the parish of Jerusalem, e.g. Mr Ioannis Tlil, Hagiotaphite Fathers, and guests from the Israeli and Arabic society.

During the ceremony, the Patriarch underlined the significance and role of the Hellenic Society for the identity of Hellenism, as well as the Patriarchate’s support of it, and went on to wish that the year 2016 be one of health, progress, and social and humanitarian activity to the benefit of the Greek race in the glory of our Triadic God.

Mr Tlil then spoke, saying that the Hellenic Society is indeed historical, as it pre-existed World War II and because it has served as a “home” for the entire Greek Parish. Mr Tlil closed by wishing that the Society carry on its role throughout the New Year.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/xr5ies_V3vk

On Sunday, the 18^th/31^st of January 2016, St John the Hosebite was placed in the Canon of Saints  during a panegyric Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of Sts John and George the Hozevites.

Hosios John, the new Hozevite, born in Romania, came to the Holy Land in the mid-20^th c. and received the monastic schema at the Monastery of St Savva the Sanctified, and the grace of priesthood at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He had lived the greatest part of his life at the Monastery of Choseba, and excelled in virtue and holiness, hence why the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, by means of a Synodical Act, decided to place him in the Canon of Saints of the Church of Jerusalem and of the Church as a whole.

At the Monastery, His Beatitude was warmly welcomed by a crowd of faithful, before being addressed in Greek by the hegoumen, Archimandrite Constantine.

“The late John Jacob”, said Archimandrite Constantine, “from the saint-bearing land of Romania, had gone through the three stadia of monastic and ascetic life: namely catharsis, enlightening and theosis”.

“The Patriarchate of Jerusalem”, added the Archimandrite, “after collecting testaments and recording miracles beyond any doubt […] has decided to place the late Hieromonk John Jacob into the chorus of Saints”.

In His reply address, His Beatitude Theophilos referred to the words of the Apostle Paul –  “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles (or Romanians) slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1, Corinthians 12-13). From this one Holy Spirit, and of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ drank all the Saints of the Church, or rather, all those who became friends of Christ and communicants of the inaccessible light of His face”.

In Arabic, the Patriarch’s speech was read by His Eminence Theodosius, Archbishop of Sebasteia, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/01/31/18595

The divine Liturgy, held for the entry in force of the Synodical decision, was led by Patriarch Theophilos. Co-officiating were Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth and Isychios of Kapitolias, and the Exarch of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus, Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra; Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Hungary, Archbishop Timotheos, former representative of the Patriarchate of Romania in Jerusalem; Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda, Philoumenos of Pella; Metropolitan Joachim of former Zambia, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archimandrite Hilarion, hegoumen at the Monastery of Mount Tabor; Archimandrite Ioustinos, hegoumen at the Monastery of Jacob’s Well, Archimandrite Chrysostomos, hegoumen at the Monastery of Abba Gerasimus, Archimandrite Christophoros, hegoumen at the Monastery of the Life-giving Spring; other Hagiotaphite Fathers and many priests of the Patriarchate of Romania, led by the Very Reverend Bishop Timotheos, former representative of the Patriarchate of Romania in Jerusalem. Father George Chardavellas, visiting from the Metropolis of Ileia of the Church of Greece, sang in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr G. Zacharoudiakis, and Mr V. Koinis. A great congregation of monks, nuns and faithful, hailing mostly from Romania, participated in the service.

After the Prayer behind the Ambon, Patriarch Theophilos read the text of the Canonization, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2016/01/31/32062

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy and after a supplication with the icon of the saint, participants were hosted to monastic lunch, after which His Beatitude left for Jerusalem.

“Biography of Saint John the New Hozevite

Elias Iakov (passport name) was born in the village of Horondistea, in Botosani county, Romania, in 1913 to Maximus and Ekaterini. Due to the fact that he was orphaned by both parents, he was raised until the age of 11 by his pious grandmother Maria, who instilled in the child’s soul the Divine Teachings. After she slept in the Lord, he passed into the guardianship of an uncle and lived a hard childhood in the midst of contempt and deprivation, but with hope firmly oriented to the Lord Jesus, Whom he actually saw with his own eyes on Easter 1927, when he was crying inconsolably at the grave of his parents.  The Lord said to him in a sweet voice:

“Don’t cry my child and don’t be sad, because yes, I am with you. Christ is Risen!”

Studious and intelligent, after seven years of studies – in conditions of incredible poverty – in 1932 he graduated from the Lyceum with honours. Between the two options: continuing studies in Theology, or joining the Monastic order, the holy desire of Monasticism, following a Divine Prompting, prevailed. The Grace of God guided his steps in 1933 to Neamts Monastery, where he became a monk in 1936, and was given the name Ioannis. An ardent desire to worship the Holy and Life-giving Tomb, led him the same year to Jerusalem, where with the blessing of the blessed Patriarch of Jerusalem, Damianos, he served as a monk in the Lavra of Saint Savva for ten years. A model of a subordinate, he gave himself up to monastic striving and after a blessing, he lived for seven years (1947-1952) in the Romanian Hermitage of the Holy Forerunner in Jordan, under particularly adverse living conditions.

Based on his ordination letter preserved in the Archives of the Holy Monastery of Hozeva, his transfer to the river Jordan was preceded by his ordination as Deacon and Priest. Archimandrite Victorinos, head of the Romanian Representation in Jerusalem, had requested his ordination to the Romanian Patriarch Nikodimos. He, in turn, put the request to the Patriarch of Jerusalem Timotheus I, who accepted it. The first ordination was held on April 21, 1947, in the Holy and Life-giving Tomb of the Lord by His Eminence Archbishop Panteleimon of Naples and the second on April 28, 1947, by the His Eminence Archbishop Epiphanios of Philadelphia.

Expelled from the Romanian Monastery of the river Jordan, in 1952, as a nightingale that loves the desert, he settled with his co-ascetic Ioannikios (also of Romanian origin) in the Lavra of Hozeva for one year and six months. Then, seeking complete isolation to indulge in even higher spiritual struggles, he went alone to the hermitage of Saint Anne, which belongs to Hozeva. Only “the Lord saw” what he experienced and what experiences the Saint lived there, “alone with God only”. Every Sunday he went to the Coenobium to participate in the Divine Liturgy and to receive the absolutely necessary food, which the love of the Hozevite Fathers offered him. He himself diligently hid his ascetic struggles, choosing the way of life of the ancient Abbas, the “surreptitious living”. An excellent connoisseur of Greek, immersed in the Patristic texts, he translated a sufficient number of divinely inspired works into Romanian (they were published for the first time in 1968) and indeed the Salutations of the Most Holy Theotokos. Besides possessing a poetic talent, he left a rich collection of poems, of an exceptional height of meaning, the largest part of which has been translated into Greek.

On August 5, 1960, he slept in the Lord at the age of only 47 years, due to his failing health. His departure, which he had foreseen, was one befitting the righteous; Just a few minutes after the Holy Communion, as described by an eyewitness, the already blessed Father Basilios Vakras.

In October 1979, after miraculous signs, his relics was found incorrupt by the Hegoumen of the Hozeva Monastery, blessed Archimandrite Amfilochios. On the 28th of July 1980, with the holy Patriarchal blessing of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Benedictus, his incorrupt relics was transferred from the Skete to the Holy Monastery, where it is kept today in the Catholicon Church, as a precious treasure and the source of many miracles! Glory and wealth of the Hozevite Fathers, of the Hagiotaphite Fathers in general, but also of the entire Church in service!

On Sunday, January 18/31, 2016, his canonization was announced in a solemn Divine Liturgy, which was officiated by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III.

His commemoration is celebrated on July 28th/August 10th, the day of the translation of his holy relics”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/-RMd43vlh2Q

httpv://youtu.be/VIafgbJ2IeY

httpv://youtu.be/0o9R387LNvg

On Sunday, the 18^th/31^st of January 2016, the ceremony of the Canonization of Hosios John the New Chosebite by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem took place at the Monastery of Sts George and John the Chosebites.

During the divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, read the Canonization decree, as follows:

SYNODICAL ACT OF CANONIZATION

OF HOSIOS JOHN THE NEW CHOSEBITE

The area of the Cherith brook and the Monastery of St George Chosebite within it, the place where we hold today this Joint Patriarchal Liturgy, have proven to be sites of revelation of God’s miracles for the salvation of man since the days of the Old Testament. This is where, to escape the wrath of king Ahab, Prophet Elias sought refuge, called by God: “Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there”. (1 Kings 17, 2-4). In the same area, Joshua asked God to make the sun “stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon, so the sun stood still and the moon stopped” (Joshua 10, 122-13).

In the early years of the New Testament, the holy and righteous Joachim and Anna prayed there and became Ancestors of God as by divine intervention they were liberated from the shame of childlessness and bore a child, Maria the ever virgin, through whom the Only Begotten Son and Logos of God, Jesus Christ, became incarnate by the Holy Spirit.

During the first years of the monastic angelic community, shown to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, this area was inhabited by the five hosioi fathers of the Monastery of Choseba: Promos, Elias, Yannaios, Aian and Zenon, who led a holy life to sanctification.

After them, in the 5^th c. AD, St John, Bishop of Caesarea, Palestine, an opponent of the heresy of Monophysitism, expanded this first skete into a large monastic centre. Then, men, churches and cells were lost to the Persian rage in 614 AD. From the ruins and the ashes of destruction, St George the Chosebite, hailing from Cyprus, went on to restore the Monastery and turn it once more into a pole of attraction and a monastic centre for hundreds of monks.

[…]

In the mid-20^th c., God blessed the Monastery par excellence through the presence of His chosen vessel, St John the New Chosebite. Leaving behind his earthly homeland of Romania, relatives and friends, he arrived in the Holy Land as a pilgrim and received the monastic schema at the Monastery of St Savva the Sanctified, where he would live a monk’s life for a decade. He then went on to lead an ascetic life at this Monastery of Choseba, hence why he has been called “the Chosebite”. He also lived in the desert of the Jordan river, emulating the example of the Baptist and subjecting himself to asceticism, fasting, vigilance and prayer. […] Those who have known hosios John attest to this day his holy life and the help he offered through prayer and spiritual guidance. Others attest that after his dormition they were cured of their illnesses by his mediation. […]

For these reasons, and for the strengthening of the faithful of the Mother of Churches and those pilgrims who have come to the Monastery of Choseba from across the world, and to the glory of our Triadic God, the Holy and Sacred Synod has decided to sanctify St John the New Chosebite and place him in the Canon of Saints of the Church of Jerusalem, his memory to be observed on the 28^th of July of each year, the day of the translation of his holy relics.

In the Holy City of Jerusalem, 22 December 2015

THEOPHILOS III Patriarch of Jerusalem

KYRIAKOS Metropolitan of Nazareth

ISYCHIOS Metropolitan of Kapitolias, Patriarchal Commissioner

CHRISTODOULOS Metropolitan of Eleutheroupolis, Elder Dragoman

BENEDICT Metropolitan of Philadelphia

DOROTHEOS Archbishop of Avila

 ARISTARCHOS Archbishop of Constantina, Elder Secretary-General

 METHODIOS Archbishop of Tabor

 THEOPHYLAKTOS Archbishop of Jordan

 DEMETRIOS Archbishop of Ledda, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod

 PHILOUMENOS Archbishop of Pella

Archimandrite Nektarios, Elder Kamarasis

Archimandrite Ioustinos

Archimandrite Theodoritos

Archimandrite Hilarion

Archimandrite Timotheos

Archimandrite Evdokimos

Archimandrite Galaktion

More details about this event will be available on our website in due time.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/C8c59LUftGk