1

THE RANK OF ARCHIMANDRITE BESTOWED ON HAGIOTAPHITES

On Thursday, the 7th/19th of March 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem bestowed the rank of Archimandrite on the following Hagiotaphite hieromonks: Leontios, Hegoumen of the Community of Rafidia; Paisios, Hegoumen at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias; Makarios, Hegoumen at the Monastery of St Nicodemus of the Lentils, and Thaddaeus, serving at the Church of the Resurrection.

Upon conferring the specific rank upon the aforementioned Hagiotaphites, His Beatitude said that it is fair and proper, in view of His Name-Day, that He should bestow this promotion on those Hieromonks who, during the years of their diaconate, have demonstrated humility, patience, obedience and fruitfulness, advising them to wear and honour the Cross as the Christians’ prize and weapon against any opposite power.

The promoted brothers thanked His Beatitude for this distinction and pledged to put their officium to the service of Christ, the Church and the Holy Shrines.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Ucr1xPHXNwA




A DELEGATION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC) VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On the Second Sunday of the Great Lent, the 23rd of February/8th of March 2015, a ten-member Delegation of the World Council of Churches, under its Secretary-General, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit and its Vice Moderator, Metropolitan Gennadius of Sassima, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Georgios Laimopoulos, and: Dr. Agnes Abouom, moderator, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, vice moderator, Dr. Isabel Phiri, Ms Marrianne Ejdersten and Mrs Elaine Dykes, visited the Patriarchate whilst on a visit to the Holy Land, Israel and Palestine.

The Delegation was received by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, in the presence of Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite f. Bartholomew, and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of the meeting, an interesting discussion took place on the current political instability in Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy Land on the aftermath of incidents of violence; also, on the need to jointly carry on the peacemaking, conciliatory work of the Churches.

It was precisely in support of this work that the Delegation came to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage, as pointed out by the Council’s Secretary-General and moderators. Addressing the guests, His Beatitude said that Churches struggle to maintain the religious character of Jerusalem and urge its residents to emulate the holiness of the events that had occurred on the Holy Land. This holiness is also pursued by the members of the Delegation over their pilgrimage.

His Beatitude also referred to efforts undertaken by the Patriarchate toward the reorganization and upgrade of the Middle East Council of Churches that have so far been met with success.

The Council, He said, is a means of expression for the voice of Christians. Also significant for the promotion of peace is the Council of the Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, which brings together Christian, Jewish and Muslim politicians as well as the religious representatives of the three Monotheistic religions towards a resolution of the political problem in the Middle East. In terms of the exploitation of religion as a weapon of political conflict, it was said at the meeting that religion must be used against this phenomenon and in favour of the prevalence of peace. Jordan also participates in this effort.

It was suggested, at the meeting, that one of the future conventions of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches take place in Jerusalem.

The Delegation went on to continue its pilgrimage in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where it was received by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan. At noon, they were hosted to lunch offered by His Beatitude at St Gabriel Hotel.

From the Secretariat-General




KANA COMMUNITY VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Saturday, the 22nd of February/7th of March 2015, approximately fifty members of the Rum Orthodox, Arab-speaking flock of the Patriarchate in Kana, Galilee, led by Archimandrite Chrystostomos, Hegoumen at the Shrine, visited the Patriarchate.

The Hegoumen and the group of pilgrims were courteously welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, former Hegoumen at the Shrine for a period of seven years. During the meeting, the Patriarch blessed the guests, offering words of advice.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/dSuFi6J7Mhk




DEACON ORDAINED AT THE PATRIARCHATE

On the morning of Saturday, the 15th/28th of February 2015, commemoration day for the miracle of the “kollyva” of St Theodore of Tyre, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, ordained Mr Imad-Spyridon Souha as deacon during a divine liturgy on the Horrendous Golgotha, so that he may serve the Rum Orthodox Community of the Patriarchate in Turan, Northern Israel, near Tiberias.

The service and ordination were attended by Hagiotaphite Fathers, pilgrims and relatives of the ordained from Nazareth.

After mass, the Prelatic Retinue returned to the Patriarchates to pay their respects to Patriarch Theophilos, who went on to bless the newly ordained deacon.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ShGoHI6Z1Kw

httpv://youtu.be/zBwelBbcYds




UNKNOWN MEN LAUNCH ARSON ATTACK ON SCHOOL OF SION

At 4:00 am of Thursday the 13th/26th of February 2015, two unknown masked men deposited burning material in the building of the Patriarchal Hieratical School of St Sion through a bathroom window in the east wing which is adjacent to the Patriarchate’s cemetery.

The complex, which includes the Church of the Holy Trinity, houses the Hieratical School and the boarding house for high school and lyceum students trained to join the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

The fire was perceived by the Israeli Police and Fire Department which rushed to extinguish it, thus preventing human losses. Damages have been caused to the building, including profane graffiti sprayed on the walls.

Similar violations and attacks, though not arson, were committed over the past two years by extreme Israeli elements in the outer area of the School, namely the open-air Chapel and the playing field from where two hundred saplings, offered by Keren Kayemeth, Israel, were uprooted.

This recent attack has been recorded on the School’s video camera. The Director of the Boarding House, Hierodeacon Dionysios, who was asleep at the time of the arson, notified the Patriarchate of the incident.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, travelled to the scene in the morning, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda and other Hagiotaphite Fathers, as well as the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem. The Israeli Police was there during the visit, in order to pursue investigations of the offence. Also present was the representative of the Israeli Ministry of Public Safety, Mr Mordechai Zaken.

The Patriarchate unequivocally condemns this unacceptable act of violence against the School on the Hill of the Holy Sion, whence the first Church of the world set out, and keeps praying and acting towards religious conciliation and coexistence in the Holy Land.

The incident was announced on the morning of the aforementioned day on the Israeli Radio, after which the Elder Secretary-General was asked to provide further information on the event.

Within the day, the Patriarchate received expressions of support by friends of peace. The Israeli President, Mr Reuven Rivlin, condemned this act of persecution during a telephone conversation with His Beatitude. Representatives of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations (JCJCR), both rabbis and laymen, extended their support to the Patriarch, whereas the American Consul-General to Jerusalem made a personal visit to the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/3T3FPKmvGMQ




HIS BEATITUDE THEOPHILOS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM, DECORATES THE MOST REVEREND METROPOLITAN OF VERIA

On Thursday the 6th/19th of February 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, conferred on the Most Reverend Panteleimon, Metropolitan of Veria, Naousa and Campania, the honorary title of the Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. Metropolitan Panteleimon was accompanying a group of pilgrims in a pilgrimage along the Holy Shrines.

The award of the honorary distinction took place in the context of a humble ceremony at the Patriarchate in recognition of the Metropolitan’s contribution to the progress of church life and the science of the theology of the New Testament by establishing the “Pavlia” event; also, for his support of the Patriarchate by organizing pilgrimage tours to the Holy Land.

Moved, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Veria thanked His Beatitude for this heartening honor and promised to continue working for the elevation of the spiritual life of the members of his Bishopric, as well as carry on his activities in support of the struggles of the Mother of Churches in the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/70KhAJaEbZU

 




THE METROPOLITANS OF VERIA AND KITROUS VISIT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Saturday, the 1st/14th of February 2015, the Very Reverend Metropolitans Panteleimon of Veria and Georgios of  Kitrous visited the Patriarchate, heading two groups of pilgrims numbering approximately sixty members each.

The Metropolitans and accompanying pilgrims were received by H.B. Theophilos in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of the visit, the two Metropolitans addressed the Patriarch, extending their thanks to God for enabling them to carry out the pilgrimage, and to the Patriarch for courteously welcoming the pilgrims.

In His response, His Beatitude expressed joy for meeting with two distinguished Prelates from the Church of Greece, and for the benefit reserved for pilgrims, as well as for our Orthodox flock, from pilgrimage tours along the Holy Shrines.

On the occasion of the meeting, the Metropolitan of Veria offered His Beatitude a volume commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the “Pavleia” event, thanking Him for the Patriarchate’s participation. Metropolitan Georgios of Kitrous, in his first visit to the Holy Land, offered the Patriarch the medal he himself had been given one year ago, on the occasion of his election and ordination as Prelate.

From the Secretariat-General




THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM MEETS WITH ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN JORDAN

On the afternoon of Friday, the 24th of January/6th of February 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem met with approximately twenty members of the Executive Committee of the recently appointed Advisory Committee in Amman, Jordan. The Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Patriarchal Commissioner; Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Elder Secretary-General; Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, Patriarchal Commissioner in Northern Jordan; the Hegoumen in Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos, and Ms Wafa Gousous, M.E.C.C. Director of the Amman Office.

The Committee has been set up by Patriarch Theophilos of select members of the flock in Jordan, in order to collaborate with the Patriarchate towards the investigation and settlement of problems facing its flock, and the consolidation of its unity.

The Executive Committee was headed by its Chairman, Kamal Abu Jaber, and Vice-Chairman Munther Haddadit.

At the meeting, members of the Committee greeted the Patriarch’s visit as a blessing and moral enhancement for Jordan’s Orthodox flock and as a token of support of all Christians in Jordan.

On His part, His Beatitude pointed out a series of questions in need of settlement, i.e. the frequency of His visits to Jordan and His meetings with the flock there, the setting up of Press Center for the promotion of the Patriarchate’s work against its denigrators, the foundation of a Center of Orthodox Studies and of a School for Clerics, the arrangement of press conferences on the work of the Patriarchate, the setting up of an Audit Committee, the convening of the plenary session of the Advisory Committee, and meetings with the Patriarchate’s critics aimed at reuniting them with the rest of the flock in a single body accepting the Patriarch of Jerusalem as Christ, because as a Primate, the Patriarch is as Christ on earth.

His Beatitude carefully listened to the Committee’s opinions, even those that were unfavourable, and said that in His view, priority should be placed on founding schools in Salt and Karak and supporting Christians against abandoning their homes in the Middle East, as well providing support to the Hashemite family in its fight against violence and for the preservation of truth.

At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude and His retinue left for Karak, Jordan, to offer their condolences to the relatives of the brutally executed Jordan pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh, who hailed from Karak.

On the following day, Saturday the 25th of January/7th of February 2015, His Beatitude returned to the city of Karak in order to inspect reparation and renovation works carried out at the Church of the Patriarchate’s Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking Community.

From the Secretariat-General




CUTTING ST BASIL’S PIE IN SCHOOL OF ST SION

On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 21st of January/3rd of February 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem cut St Basil’s pie during a modest ceremony at the School of St Sion.

In attendance at the ceremony was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his associates, as well as Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the President of the School Board and Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, Hieromonk Martyrios, Vice-Principal Mr Mexis, Hierodeacon Dionysios, teachers and students.

The ceremony began with the troparia of the Circumcision of the Lord and of St Basil, after which His Beatitude went on to cut the pie, with student Georgios Politis finding the “flourin”, namely the lucky coin.

Novices at the School sang the Carols while the pie was distributed.

The ceremony also included gifts offered by His Beatitude and the Consul-General, courtesy of the latter.

The two addressed students on the School’s mission and the Christian and humanitarian ethos cultivated by it, whilst Mr Mexis thanked them for their avowed interest.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/6NgpFv9vx3U




METROPOLITAN ARSENIOS OF AUSTRIA VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Monday, the 20th of January/2nd of February 2014, His Eminence Arsenios, Metropolitan of Austria, heading a group of Orthodox pilgrims from his congregation, as well as members of other Churches in Austria, Hungary, Germany and France, visited the Patriarchate.

Metropolitan Arsenios and the group of pilgrims were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers, after they had already visited most of the holy shrines and the Monastery of St Catherine in Sinai.

At the meeting, His Beatitude talked of the Lord’s ongoing redeeming work through His Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection on the sites now visited by pilgrims as witnesses of the work performed for their salvation.

The Church of the Holy Land attests the work of God for man on these sites, through deprivation and sacrifice. “This work”, the Patriarch pointed out, “is enhanced by the presence of pilgrims like you, hence why we congratulate Metropolitan Arsenios for his pastoral contribution that we ourselves had witnessed two years ago on a visit to Hungary”.

Bishop John, representing the Patriarchate of Serbia to Croatia, was also present at the meeting.

Metropolitan Arsenios thanked His Beatitude for His words, adding that “the Orthodox Church unites us, just as it unites this group of pilgrims hailing from different countries with the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Patriarchate of Romania, and especially your own blessing”.

Metropolitan Arsenios pledged to convey the Patriarch’s words to the German-speaking members of his group.

Gifts were exchanged at the end of the meeting, followed by the distribution of eulogias by His Beatitude to the pilgrims.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/S71moGXcO-A