On Wednesday, the 1^st/14^th of October 2015, Metropolitan Paul of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, accompanied by the Most Reverend Anatoly, Metropolitan of Sarny, His Eminence Vladimir, Archbishop of Volodymyr-Volynskyi, and a group of some forty pilgrims, priests, nuns and laymen, visited the Patriarchate.

They were courteously welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. Addressing guests, the Patriarch said that Christianity is not a human edifice, thus its strength does not hail from this world but from heavens. A recent example is Russia, a country that for a period of 70 years had denounced Christianity and which, after the collapse of the totalitarian regime, saw the discovery of the relics of hundreds of saints who had contributed to the rebirth of the Russian Church from its ashes.

Metropolitan Paul of Chernobyl talked of the Patriarch’s visit, of two years ago, to the Kiev Lavra that is replete with the relics of holy ascetics, the blessing of whom He had received. In the same manner, he said, himself and accompanying Fathers, Primates and Priests, accept the blessing of the empty monument of the All-holy and Life-giving Sepulcher.

The Patriarch went on to bestow upon the Metropolitan of Chernobyl the medal of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, in recognition of his services to the Russian Church but also to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, especially with regards to the restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This honorary distinction, the Patriarch pointed out, makes him a relative of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

On the conclusion of the meeting, tokens of love were exchanged between Patriarch Theophilos and his esteemed guests.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqel0tjJQ-Q

On Sunday, the 28^th of September/11^th of October 2015, a Joint Liturgy was held at St Paul Church of the Orthodox Centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva. Participants in the liturgy were the representatives of Orthodox Churches participating in the deliberations of the Fifth Pre-synodical Conference, in view of the Great Synod of Orthodoxy scheduled by an Assembly of the Heads of Churches for the year 2016 in Constantinople. The Joint Liturgy was led by the Most Reverend Jeremiah, Metropolitan of Switzerland and Head of the Inter-Orthodox Centre in Chambésy. Co-officiating were the first among the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches, in the absence of Representatives of the Patriarchates of Antioch and Georgia. By a decision of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and of the Holy and Sacred Synod, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias and Patriarchal Commissioner, represented the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Metropolitan Isychios is first in rank in the Church of Zion Committee participating in the deliberations of the Pre-synodical Conference. Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Mr Theodoros Yangou, Professor of Canon Law at the Theological School of the University of Salonica also participate in the said Committee.

Deliberations will continue until Saturday, the 4^th/17^th of October 2015, looking at such issues as the Autonomous Status and the manner in which it is proclaimed in the Orthodox Church, as well as the final approval of the amendments to the texts of the Second and Third Pres-synodical Conferences, unanimously agreed by a decision of the Heads of the Orthodox Churches.

From the Secretariat-General

On the morning of Thursday, the 18^th of September/1^st of October 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem conferred the medal of Minor Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher upon Mr Marios Papadopoulos and Mr Frank Feigenbaum. This honour was awarded in recognition of the two men’s interest in the Patriarchate, especially the financial aid they have offered towards the conservation and completion of the Monastery of St John the Baptist on the west bank of the Lord’s Baptismal in the river Jordan.

Messrs. Papadopoulos and Feigenbaum thanked His Beatitude for this honour and pledged to carry on supporting the Patriarchate in its various needs.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LQpSUNcRIc

On the morning of Thursday, the 18^th of September/1^st of October 2015, the Head of the Russian Humanitarian Mission, Mr Primakov, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Primakov and his associates informed Patriarch Theophilos of the “Kalinka” Russian Cultural Centre, operating in Gaza, and of the intention of the Russian Humanitarian Mission, ran by the Centre, to cooperate with the Patriarchate towards helping Russians residing in Gaza, mostly Russian women married to Palestinians and their families, specifically children, in terms of their school and sports activities.

In response, His Beatitude said that the Patriarchate is willing to cooperate with the Mission as long as its actions abide by Christian and humanitarian values.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJC7OAj44Go

On the morning of Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of September 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded the title of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher to the Most Reverend Barnabas, Metropolitan of Trimythounta, in recognition of his substantial love and contribution to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The ceremony took place in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers and pilgrims from Cyprus, headed by the President of the “Friends of the Holy Lands” Association, Mr Panayiotis Pantelis.

After his decoration, Metropolitan Barnabas thanked His Beatitude for the honour bestowed upon him and pledged to carry on supporting the Holy Shrines. Metropolitan Barnabas then quoted the words of St Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and Archbishop of Cyprus, who hailed from the Holy Lands, namely: “We have arrived in Jerusalem for the feast of the Holy Cross in order to venerate life”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Yj2-P077s

On the evening of Tuesday, the 16^th/29^th of September 2015, the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of Fhes, Jordan, celebrated its 19^th anniversary.

The city of Fhes is a suburb of Amman, Jordan, inhabited by Christians, mostly Orthodox, known for their assiduousness and development.

A church dedicated to St George the Great Martyr is maintained by the Patriarchate in Fhes for the city’s thriving Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community, as well as a School that includes all grades from nursery school to Lyceum. Archimandrite Ieronymos the Hagiotaphite leads the Community.

On the afternoon of the aforementioned day, a celebration was held for the 19 years since the foundation of the Community’s Society. The event was honoured by the presence of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, who was accompanied by Metropolitan Benedictus of Philadelphia, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and f. Issa Mousleh from Beit-Sahur, the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arabic-speaking media.

The Patriarch was warmly welcomed by a philharmonic, Archimandrite Ieronymos, the city’s priests as well as other priests from adjacent cities, the President of the Society, Mr Nahed Soues, Mayor H. Akrouk, and several members of the community. In the context of the celebrations, an exhibition was presented, featuring landscapes of Fhes by Mr Sami Farhat, and icons in the Byzantine style by Mr Huisam Salman.

Patriarch Theophilos addressed the crowd in a speech read by f. Issa Mousleh in Arabic (see link https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/09/29/15067).

He then went on to offer a fine icon of Theotokos, to be kept in the premises of the Club for its protection.

Addresses were followed by the awarding of honourary distinctions to 10 members of the Community who have excelled in their activities and artistic endeavours. Finally, guests were hosted to dinner.

From the Secretariat-General

On Thursday the 23^rd/12^th of September 2015, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed the holy water rite on the occasion of the new school year 2015-2016 at the Hieratical Patriarchal School of St Sion. In attendance were the President of the School Board, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis, and other Hagiotaphite Fathers, such as Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Spiritual Father of the students, the Hegoumen at Hojeva Monastery, Archimandrite Constantinos. Archimandrite Eusebios sang, whilst Mr Koinis represented the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem. Teachers and students were also present.

On the conclusion of the rite, His Beatitude was hosted to a reception by the new Principal, Teacher of Theology and Philology, Mr Demetrios Lycoudes, and the School’s teachers.

During His speech, the Patriarch advised novice students to be diligent and efficient in their studies, cultivating an honest and honourable character, preparing themselves, upon their graduation from the School, to freely join the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood for a diaconate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyVzSW_VjY

On Saturday the 16^th/29^th of August 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Evlogios, arrived at Larnaka Airport via Athens.

His Beatitude and attendants were welcomed at the airport by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus and the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus, Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra.

From the airport, His Beatitude left for the recently renovated Exarchate of the Holy Sepulcher in Nicosia.

At noon of the same day, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem attended lunch hosted in their honour by Metropolitan Timotheos.

On Saturday evening, Patriarch Theophilos led the Vespers at the Church of the Resurrection and of St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite.

On Sunday morning, the 17^th/30^th of August 2015, Patriarch Theophilos and Archbishop Chrysostomos co-officiated at the Church of St Nikolaos, Kakopetria, with Metropolitan Timotheos and Archbishop Aristarchos. Concelebrating with them were Bishop Nektarios of Arsinoe, head of the Kakopetria Camps of the Archbishopric of Cyprus. The liturgy was attended by twenty youths of the Patriarchate of Antioch, headed by Archimandrite Romanos, twenty youths of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and youths from the Archbishopric of Cyprus, having spent a week at the Kakopetria camping site. During their stay, the campers had toured along the island’s sights of interest, while communicating amongst themselves and working together to their own benefit and to the benefit of their Church. The decision for their participation had been taken years ago by the Heads of the Four Old Churches, in the context of the “Orthodox Initiative”.

Communion in Christ during the Divine Liturgy was followed by lunch hosted by the Archbishop of Cyprus at the camping site, during which the two Primates answered to the youths’ questions and enjoyed ecclesiastical hymns, patriotic songs and dances performed by campers. All campers were offered an icon of Theotokos by Patriarch Theophilos and an Album of the Treasures of the Church of Cyprus by Archbishop Chrysostomos.

On the evening of Sunday, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Archbishop Chrysostomos, left for Larnaka Airport. He arrived at Ben Gurion Airport at 3:00 am of Monday, the 18^th/31^st of August 2015.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday the 1^st/14^th of August 2015, representatives of the Academic Exchange (AE) initiative of the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Israel (founded in memory of the Israeli President, assassinated for his pacifist convictions) visited the Patriarchate.

They were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, who responded to their invitation (posted at https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/08/14/16319 ) to talk about the Patriarchate’s history, work and mission.

The Patriarch explained to the delegation that the Patriarchate is, historically speaking, the first Church of Christianity, autocephalous and belonging to the order of Patriarchates since the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, in 451 AD.

Since the Byzantine times, the Patriarchate has been a carrier of spiritual, physical and venerating heritage and property.

In 638 AD, the Patriarchate entered a new historical era by means of the Treaty between Umar Hatab and the late Patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem, who also took on the role of Ethnarch.

The relations of the Patriarchate with Islam have been formulated in the context of this agreement. The Patriarchate performs a missionary work towards its flock and a peacemaking, conciliatory work vis-à-vis the political governments where it has ecclesiastical jurisdiction, making an effort to preserve the pilgrimage status of Jerusalem, especially in the Old City.

The Patriarchate denounces and rejects any act of violence against humans, shrines, Churches, Synagogues and Mosques.

This peacemaking work is performed by the Patriarchate within its jurisdictions in the three Palestines and in the Sinai Peninsula, South Arabia to Qatar.

Within this jurisdiction and in the wider Middle East, Christians are being persecuted. The same applies in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Autonomy. In these countries, Christians enjoy such rights as freedom of religion and work, yet they live in a state of insecurity because of extreme religious elements launching attacks against Churches and Shrines.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem is recognized by Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Autonomy as Ethnarch, the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The Shrines provide a protective shield for Christians in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East. The Patriarchate also performs an educational work through its schools.

After the Patriarch’s speech, the professors went on to submit questions and receive answers, before carrying on their visit to the Basilica in Bethlehem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_rHHQ-LkNg

On Wednesday, the 23^rd of July/5^th of August 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, blessed the vestments of Mr Ehab Beitjali of Nazareth, meant to be ordained as deacon and then as priest in order to serve the Patriarchate’s flock in Nazareth.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxA44I4_sYg