On the morning of Holy Wednesday, the 14^th/27^th of April 2016, the last Service of the Presanctified Gifts for the period of the Great Length and the Holy Week was held at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen.

The Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, from the Throne. The service was performed by the vicar, Archimandrite Kallistos, as Archimandrite Eusebius, Archimandrite Alexios and novice monk Georgios Pananikolaou sang with students from the Patriarchal School. Participating were Hagiotaphite Fathers, Primates and Priests, deacons and monks, and pilgrims from the Orthodox countries of Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/B25n7XodIr4

On the afternoon of Palm Sunday, the 11^th/24^th of April 2016, the Matins of Holy Monday, namely the Service of the Bridegroom [Nymphios] was performed at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection.

The service was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The service was performed by the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right and novice Georgios Papanikolaou and monk Antiochos sang on the left. Participating in the devout prayer were pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine and Cyprus. Towards the end of the service, His Beatitude addressed the pious congregation in Greek.

“We are called upon to remain vigilant”, said His Beatitude. “Blessed is the servant whom the Lord, coming in glory, will find in a state of vigilance, ready to encounter the Bridegroom, Christ, who cometh in the middle of the night. By contrast, unworthy of such an encounter with Christ is he who is idle. He who is mindless, callus and unwilling to work according to the orders of Christ’s love and, even worse, he who does not take into account the human within, namely his soul. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? says the Lord”.

“Who can doubt this unspoken mystery of divine Economy, the Holy History of the salvation of us humans”, the Patriarch added, “as all of us, those of us who reside here and you, visiting pilgrims, are all eye witnesses of the sites where God the Logos was incarnate and born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, the land of His crucifixion, burial and life-giving Resurrection”.

The service of the Bridegroom was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s Radio Station, see link:

www.radio.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/en

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jhyUV0qwCdM

On Sunday, the 11^th/24^th of April 2016, the Patriarchate observed the feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating the triumphant entry of Jesus to the city of Jerusalem, when the Jews spread their clothes and palm branches on the road, welcoming the Lord and shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”.

Α’ Vespers

The feast began on Saturday afternoon with the reading of the Ninth Hour at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, and the performance of Vespers with Parrhesia at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection, led by Patriarch Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Hieromonks as concelebrants – the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios, first amongst them – priests and hierodeacons of the Orthodox Churches, whilst the Primates prayed from within the Bema. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right, with Archimandrite Alexios and monk Joseph of Mount Athos on the left. Several pilgrims from Greece, Russia and other countries participated in piety, taking up the entire space of the katholikon.

On the conclusion of Vespers, the Patriarchal Entourage proceeded to the Central Monastery.

Β’ On feast-day

On Sunday, the day of the feast, the Patriarchal Entourage walked in procession to the Church of the Resurrection, amidst bells tolling.

There, after worshipping at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulchre, the Divine Liturgy was performed at the katholikon.

This panegyric Liturgy was led by Patriarch Theophilos, having as concelebrants: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda, and the former Metropolitan of Zambia, Joachim; also, Metropolitan Georgi of Pereyaslav–Khmelnitsky and Vishnevsky, visiting from the Patriarchate of Moscow, and Bishop Vassily of Kotlaz, Archbishop Demetri of Udepisk, also from the Patriarchate of Moscow; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, led by the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang on the right, with novice Georgios Papanikolaou on the left. In attendance was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, his wife, and members of the Greek Consulate. A crowd of pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania, Hungary and Cyprus attended the service.

The d. Liturgy was followed by procession thrice around the Holy Sepulchre and along the other shrines.

In front of the Aedicula, the evangelical pericope on Palm Sunday was read. Upon entry into the katholikon, the procession concluded.

At the Patriarchates, His Beatitude addressed guests in Greek, referring to the glorious entry of Jesus to Jerusalem as the beginning of the Passion of the Crucifixion, but also of the Resurrection of Christ and the defeat of death.

“And then the children of the Jews greeted the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem on a donkey with palms and branches, whilst we, today, carry His Cross, the weapon against the devil, but also the trophy of hope and of the Resurrection”, said the Patriarch.

The speech was read in Arabic by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste and in Russian by Archimandrite Eusebius.

Metropolitan Georgi of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevsky, visiting from the Patriarchate of Moscow, also addressed guests in Russian and went on to offer the Patriarch two portraits that complete the set of paintings donated in the past in the name of the Russian MISSIA, as well as other tokens of blessing from the Monastery of St Seraphim of Sarov. His Beatitude offered an icon of Theotokos and other Jerusalemite eulogias.

This glorious feast and Parrhesia of the Orthodox was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s radio station, see link:

www.radio.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/en

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nrG_t1aKrdM

httpv://youtu.be/RdhiucwiqYY

httpv://youtu.be/F3qTsansw_o

httpv://youtu.be/DZ6yy-TiD4I

The rise of Lazarus was commemorated magnificently at the Convent of Martha and Maria, sisters of Lazarus, in Bethany, with a divine Liturgy led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, having as concelebrants: their Eminences the Archbishops of Constantina, Tabor and Sebaste, and the Most Reverend Joachim, Metropolitan of Zambia.

The service was followed by procession to the Tomb of Lazarus, led by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste, where the pericope on the rise of Lazarus according to John (Jn 11, 1-44) was read.

The Patriarchal and Primatial entourages were hosted to a reception by the abbess, Nun Eupraxia.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Hzn6tgw4P5o

On Saturday of Lazarus, the 10^th/23^rd of April 2016, the Patriarchate observed the Raising of Lazarus by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The event was commemorated on Friday, on the Mount of Olives, on the site of the Ascension of Christ, as well as outdoors, in the shade of a special tent, after the Altar had been sanctified by Vespers, led by Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, having as concelebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks. Novices from the Patriarchal School sang in Greek under the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, whilst St James Choir sang under Mr Rimon Kamar in Arabic. Local Arabic-speaking faithful and pilgrims from Orthodox countries participated.

After Vespers, following a short recess for refreshments hosted by f. Achilles at the Monastery of the Ascension, the Small Compline began, and a procession to the Monastery of the Men of Galilee. The procession was received by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, in the presence of Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia. The procession returned to the Holy Shrine, where the service of the Small Compline was concluded.

On feast-day, the divine Liturgy was performed on the same site by the same Primate, having as concelebrants Archimandrites Parthenios and Kallistos, deacon Demetrios, and presbyter Charalambos. Novice Georgios sang with the students from the Patriarchal School in Greek, whilst St James Choir sang in Arabic for a pious congregation of pilgrims and local Arabic-speaking Orthodox faithful.  

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/0GgO02LDKro

httpv://youtu.be/o9l5DrjsjW0

From the 11^th/23^rd of April to the 18^th/1^st of May 2016

Saturday of Lazarus:

Patriarchal Vespers: 3:00 pm. *

Palm Sunday:

Patriarchal Divine Liturgy: 8:00 am. *

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm. *

Holy Monday:

Service of the Presanctified Gifts on the Horrendous Golgotha: 9:00 am.

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm.

Holy Tuesday:

Service of the Presanctified Gifts: 9.00 am.

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm. *

Holy Wednesday:

Service of the Presanctified Gifts on the Horrendous Golgotha: 9.00 am.

Holy Thursday:

Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great at St James Cathedral: 6:30 am.

The Washing of the Feet Ceremony: 9:00 am.

Service of the Passion: 6:15 pm. *

Holy Friday:

The Royal Hours on the Horrendous Golgotha: 10:00 am.

Patriarchal Vespers: 3:00 pm. *

The Service of the Epitaph: 9:00 pm.

Holy Saturday:

The Holy Light ceremony: 1:00 pm

The Resurrection ceremony: Midnight

Easter Sunday:

The Second Resurrection ceremony: 1:00 pm *

*The service will be broadcast live on the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s radio station www.radio.jerusalem-patriatchate.info/en

The Patriarchate’s Master of Ceremonies

Archimandrite Bartholomew

From the 11^th/24^th of April to the 19^th/2^nd of May 2016

The following time schedule corresponds to the current local time in Greece which is the same as the current local time in Israel.

Palm Sunday:

Matins and Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom: 5:00 am.

Vespers: 3.30 pm.

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm.

Holy Monday:

Hours and Service of the Presanctified Gifts: 6.30 am.

Great Compline:3:30 pm.

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm.

Holy Tuesday:

Hours and Service of the Presanctified Gifts: 6.30 am.

Great Compline:3:30 pm.

The Bridegroom [Nymphios] Service: 6:15 pm.

Holy Wednesday:

Hours and Service of the Presanctified Gifts: 6.30 am.

Small Compline-Unction: 5:00 pm.

Holy Thursday:

Service and Liturgy of St Basil the Great: 4:30 am.

Service of the Passion: 6:15 pm.

Holy Friday:

The Service of the Epitaph: 6:30 pm.

Holy Saturday:

Hours and Liturgy of St Basil the Great: 8:00 pm.

Holy Easter:

Matins & D. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom: 1:10 am.

Easter Monday:

The Divine Liturgy: 8:00 am.

Typikaris [Manager of Church Services]

Archimandrite Alexios

On the afternoon of Friday the 2^nd/15^th of April 2016, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Akathist Hymn, as the nine Odes of the “I shall open my mouth” Canon was sang in the context of the Small Compline, whereas the four Stases of the Akathist Hymn were read out.

This service in honour of Theotokos and the incarnation of Jesus Christ through her and the Holy Spirit, was performed:

A’. At the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who read the First Stasis of the Salutations. The remaining Stases were read by the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis; the Most Reverend Joachim, former Metropolitan of Zambia, and the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios.

The Canon of the Akathist was sang by His Beatitude and the leading Priest, Archimandrite Sergios, Archimandrite Porphyrios, and the Master-of-Ceremonies and Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Bartholomew, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr G. Zacharoudiakis, his wife, and other members of the Consulate.

The service was also attended by Hagiotaphite Fathers, monks, nuns, and the Diagnostic Team of the National Technical University of Athens assigned with the restoration of the Aedicula, led by Ms Moropoulou, and pilgrims.

The service was broadcast live over the Internet from the Patriarchate’s Radio Station.

B’. In Remli – Arimathea, the Monastery of Joseph the Betrothed, led by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias. The service was attended by many of the faithful, having as spiritual leader Archimandrite Nephon, a Hagiotaphite.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Rxf7b9-YirE

On Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent, namely the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2016, the most devout week of the Great Forty-Day Lent, the services of Matins, Hours, Great Compline and Presanctified Gifts were performed at most of the Old City Monasteries, and at the Horrendous Golgotha, the site of Our Lord’s Crucifixion. Templar Fathers and female Elder Mariam sang.

At 3:30 pm in the afternoon of Wednesday, in the context of the Small Compline Service, the Great Canon of St Andreas the Jerusalemite, Archbishop of Crete, was sang at the Katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection, led by Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa, as Hagiotaphite Fathers and Patriarchal School students sang.

From the Secretariat—General

httpv://youtu.be/iRWAwacqWMA

httpv://youtu.be/4FoH5w9Es2k

On Friday, the 26^th of March/8^th of April 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations of Theotokos at the Rum Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of Haifa, wherein stands a church dedicated to the Prophet Elias, on the slope of Mount Carmel.

Co-officiating were the former Metropolitan of Zambia, Joachim, and Primates visiting from the Patriarchate of Moscow, namely Metropolitan Alexandros of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevsky, Metropolitan Symeon of Vinitski and Barsky, and Archbishop Vladimir of Dneprodzerzhinsk and Tsaritsnanski. Also, the hegumen in Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos; the head of the Community, presbyter Demetrios, and Archdeacon Evlogios. Attending the service were several Orthodox faithful from the parish.

During mass, His Beatitude delivered a sermon in Arabic.

Upon the apolysis, father Demetrios and the Community Council hosted the Patriarch and His Entourage to a reception.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4y2khS27zM8