At noon on Tuesday, the 22^nd of July/4^th of August 2015, the Honourable Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Christophoros Fokaides, in the context of a visit to the State of Israel, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by his associates, Christos Mallikides, Constantinos Fytiris, Vasileios Polemites and Damianos Odysseos. Also present were members of the Embassy of Cyprus to Tel Aviv, the Ambassador, Ms Thessalia Sampou, Mr Michael Fyrillas and Ms Louiza Varakla, and Israel’s Military Attaché to Cyprus, Mr Yuval Gerby.

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

In the context of the visit, His Beatitude referred to the harmonious relations between the Churches of Jerusalem and Cyprus, to Hagiotaphite Fathers from Cyprus, and to the newly-established Exarchate of the Patriarchate in Cyprus. He then went on to offer the Minister an icon of Theotokos Jerusalemite, with Jerusalemite eulogias for his associates. The Patriarch also expressed the wish that a fair solution to the Cyprus problem be found during the tenure of Mr Fokaides as Defence Minister, for an independent and united Cyprus, liberated from the division caused by the Turkish military occupation.

Moved, the Minister praised the Patriarchate for its peacemaking and conciliatory work, thanking His Beatitude for welcoming him and for showing an interest in the Cypriot people. Finally, Mr Fokaides asked for the Patriarch’s blessing for his national patriotic work.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9mHv52vqqU

On Tuesday the 15^th/28^th of July 2015, their Beatitudes, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, visited the Patriarchate. They had traveled from Cyprus, accompanied by Protopresbyter, Mr Athenodoros Papaevryviadous.

The Heads of Churches were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in the presence of the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. From Ben Gurion airport, the Primates were driven to the Waldorf Astoria.

At approximately 6:00 pm of the aforementioned day, Patriarch Theodoros and Archbishop Chrysostomos, accompanied by Metropolitan Isychios, arrived at the Patriarchate’s gate, where they were warmly welcomed by members of the Greek Parish and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. From there, joined by Patriarch Theophilos, they walked to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection and venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis, the Holy Sepulcher, the Golgotha, and the Holy Cross at the Sacristy and the Office of the Church of the Resurrection.

From there they returned to the Patriarchate, to be addressed by Patriarch Theophilos in Greek.

On the conclusion of His address, Patriarch Theophilos was awarded an engolpion by Patriarch Theodoros on the completion of ten years since He assumed His duties. Patriarch Theophilos offered the Heads of Churches an icon of Theotokos and silver candlesticks.

In His reply address, the Patriarch of Alexandria said that his present visit to Jerusalem came twenty-three years after the first time, in 1975, when, accompanied by his Elder, Metropolitan Theodoros of Sfakia, venerated at the Holy Shrines and met distinguished Hagiotaphites, i.e. Patriarch Benedictus of Jerusalem, Metropolitans Germanus of Petra and Vasileios of Caesarea, the late Archimandrite Theodosios and others. Patriarch Theodoros also referred to Hagiotaphites who rose to the rank of Patriarch of Alexandria, such as Meletios Metaxakis and Photios, Metropolitan of Nazareth.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria, he said, follows the Typikon of the Monastery of St Savva the Sanctified, and is strengthened by the Grace of the Holy Sepulcher in performing its apostolic work in the vast continent of Africa. This hopeful future is anticipated by His Beatitude with optimism, by the help of God.

His Beatitude Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus, also pointed out that this visit was driven by the words of the Apostle Paul that, if one member suffers, so do all suffer, and that love for peace and unity among the Churches had led the steps of Patriarch Theodoros and Himself to the Holy Land, thanking Patriarch Theophilos for the hospitality, openness to dialogue and understanding.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa7XG6nl2aM

On Monday the 7^th/20^th of July 2015, the President of the “Independent Greeks” and Greece’s Minister for Defence, Mr Panagiotis Kammenos, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by his wife, Ms Eleni Tzouli; Ambassador Eleutherios Karagiannis; the Director of his Political Bureau, Air Marshal Theologos Symeonides and his wife; Vice-Admiral Kyriakos Kyrakides; his aide-de-camp, lieutenant-colonel Theophanes Karapatis; lieutenant Panoraia Chronopoulou, Mr Georgios Kontorinis and Mr Athanasios Kafalis, members of the Minister’s personal guard; photographer Vasileios Syriopoulos and journalist Andreas Koutras. The meeting took place in the context of the Minister’s official visit to the State of Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy.

His Excellency the Minister and his attendants were courteously welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion followed, on the international state of affairs and the instable political situation in the Middle East, manifest by means of violent incidents and executions of innocent people, among whom the Primates who had been kidnapped in Syria. Reference was also made to the peacemaking contribution of religions, in particular the Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem that has been entrusted with the safekeeping of the Holy Shrines in Jerusalem and across the Holy Land. This peacemaking role is performed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem with the moral support and assistance of Greece, the successor of the Byzantine Empire.

On the fortuitous occasion of this visit, His Beatitude bestowed on Mr Kammenos the honorary title of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, in recognition of his services to the Nation and the Church, and also to seal the Minister’s pilgrimage tour. The Patriarch pointed out that Mr Kammenos is awarded the title for his strong support of the principles of Orthodoxy, before offering him an icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite.

On his part, Mr Kammenos thanked His Beatitude and pledged to carry on promoting the rights of our Nation and of Orthodoxy in the Holy Land, awarding Him the emblem of the Hellenic Ministry of Defence and a replica of the Icon of Panaghia Soumela, protectress of the uprooted Greeks of Pontus. He then continued his tour in the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha within the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/pCk-4q5L4pw

httpv://youtu.be/Q66GzbMWgU4

On Thursday, the 26^th of June/9^th of July 2015, a three-member delegation of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institution of Technology visited the Patriarchate, led by the Vice President for European and International Affairs, Professor Demetrios Emmanouloudis.

The distinguished scientists were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Professor Emmanouloudis presented the intentions and capabilities of the EMaTTECH to provide a technical or other educational support to the Patriarchate’s Arabic-speaking Schools.

Extending thanks, the Patriarch blessed the proposed project of assistance and wished its initiators success.

From the Secretariat-General

Between Friday, the 20^th of June/3^rd of July and Thursday, the 26^th of June/5^th of July 2015, a group of sixty youth from the Greek Orthodox, Arabic-speaking Community of the Patriarchate in Fhes, a Jordan suburb, led by the Abbot, Archimandrite Ieronymus, were offered hospitality in the well-organized Camps of the Holy Bishopric of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon, on the courteous invitation of Metropolitan Georgios. Campers participated in religious events, sports and other activities for youth, as shown in the relevant video to be uploaded soon.

From the Secretariat-General

On the afternoon of Sunday, the 22^nd of June/5^th of July 2015, the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr Nikolaos Kotzias, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by associates of his:

Ambassador Demetrios Paraskevopoulos, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Tasia Athanasiou, Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Konstantinos Koutras, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Georgios Mitrakos, Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister.

Apostolos Theodorides, Security Officer of the Minister.

In attendance at the meeting were the diplomatic representatives of Greece in Israel, Ambassador Spyridon Lamprides in Tel Aviv, and Alexandros Gennimatas, First Secretary, the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and Vasileios Koinis, Deputy Consul.

His Excellency the Minister and his associates were warmly welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. The Patriarch extended His wishes for success in their two-day visit to Israel and in exiting the economic crisis plaguing Greece, by the help of God and the Grace and Blessing of the Life-giving Sepulcher. Patriarch Theophilos went on to express His joy over the Minister’s visit at a critical time for the future of Greece and under the current political situation in the Middle East. Last, His Beatitude extended thanks over the help offered by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Patriarchate in the past but also during recent problems pertaining to the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher , the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and the Patriarchal School on Mount Zion, before bestowing on the Minister the Medal of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

In his response, the Minister thanked His Beatitude and pledged to carry on promoting the interests of our nation in Greece, abroad and in the Holy Land, a spiritual heritage of Ecumenical Orthodoxy and Ecumenical Hellenism.

From the Patriarchate, Minister Kotzias continued his pilgrimage at Calvary and the Holy Sepulcher, within the Church of the Resurrection.

From the Secretariat-General  

httpv://youtu.be/pCk-4q5L4pw 

httpv://youtu.be/Q66GzbMWgU4

On the afternoon of Friday the 20^th of June/3^rd of July 2015, the Interdisciplinary Conference on “The Musical Manuscripts in the Collection of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchal Library of Jerusalem” began its deliberations at the Notre Dame Hotel, in the vicinity of the New Gate. The Conference took place at the initiative of researchers Demetrios Balageorgos and Flora Kritikou of the Department of Music Studies of the School of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

The opening ceremony featured a choir performance under the direction of Mr Balageorgos, in the Byzantine style of Resurrection Hymns.

Then, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem blessed the workings of the Conference, addressing guests in Greek.

In English, His address may be reached here:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/07/03/15463

Scientific announcements were made on both days in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, Hagiotaphite Fathers, Primates, Priests, monks, nuns and an audience from the Greek parish of Jerusalem as well as members of the Arabic and Israeli community.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ZFGbBAC5GR0

httpv://youtu.be/g70e-OUkcyE

httpv://youtu.be/UJUWW_PIE00

On Friday the 20^th of June/3^rd of July 2015, Mr Demetrios Balageorgos and Ms Flora Kritikou, both conducting research into the musical manuscripts in the collection of the Patriarchal Library, visited the Patriarchate. They were accompanied by members of the Interdisciplinary Conference held between 20-21 June/3-4 July 2015, at the Notre Dame Hotel. (See Conference Program at: CONFERENCE-JERUSALEM-PROGRAM

The research scientists were welcomed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who praised them for the research conducted so far into the musical manuscripts in the collection of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchate’s Central Library. The Patriarch also wished the researchers success in the two-day Conference which aimed at promoting the treasures of Byzantine Music amongst the Patriarchate’s flock and music connoisseurs, for the praise of the tradition of the Greek race and the glory of the Triadic God.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUadUcrz_L8

On the morning of June 5^th/18^th 2015, currently unidentified suspects set fire to a Roman Catholic Church, under the Benedictine order of monks, at the site of Tabgha (Ancient Eptapigon) on the west shore of the Lake of Tiberias.

This renovated church, which lies on the ancient Byzantine church of the 4^th century with magnificent mosaics on the ground, is the site where the multiplying of loaves and fish by our Lord took place.

Representatives of the Churches, among them His Eminence Metropolitan of Nazareth Kyriakos and the Superior of the adjacent shrine of Capernaum monk Irinarchos, representatives of the Druze, the Rabbinate, and also Police, rushed to the site for an investigation of the incident and in solidarity.

According to news reports, firefighters were able to douse the flames, although two people suffered minor smoke inhalation. Graffiti written in Hebrew was found on the site, which said “the false gods will be eliminated.”

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly protests against this unacceptable violent act toward this ancient shrine of Christianity and intends to join in a common protest with the other Churches of the Holy Land tomorrow.

From the Secretariat-General

On the morning of Monday, the 29^th/15^th of June 2015, the Hieratic School of the Archbishopric of Cyprus, led by the Principal, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Benedictus Ioannou, visited the Patriarchate. Guests included fifteen students, priests and laymen from various Orthodox Churches.

The pilgrims of the sister Orthodox and Autocephalous Church of Cyprus were cordially welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

At the meeting, Archimandrite Benedictus addressed His Beatitude, pointing out how touched they all were with this visit to the Holy Land where the Incarnate, Crucified and Resurrected Lord had walked. He added that the example of Hagiotaphite Fathers, guardians of the Lord’s traces, would further enhance their faith and strengthen their links with the Mother of Churches. These links were first formed upon the foundation of the Church, as referenced in the Acts of the Apostles, through the founder of the Church of Cyprus, Apostle Barnabas, the Apostle Paul and his associates, St Neophytos the Recluse et al.

In His reply speech, the Patriarch underlined the harmonious relations between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Archbishopric of Cyprus since ancient times, demonstrated in the context of the Middle East Council of Churches, the accommodation of youth from old Patriarchates in the camping sites of St Nikolas, Kakopetria, the enrolment of Arab-speaking children of the Patriarchate in the Cyprus Hieratic School, and the establishment of the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulcher in Nicosia.

On the conclusion of speeches, gifts were exchanged between f. Benedict and the Patriarch, whereupon the latter wished all students a constructive and soul-healing pilgrimage across the Holy Shrines.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/D1FxkxsK6Cc