On Saturday, the 17^th/30^th of January 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Anthony the Great at the chapel dedicated to his name within St Nicholas Monastery, to the northwest of the Patriarchate.

As is well-known, St Anthony the Great is one of the great ascetic Fathers of the Church. He had lived for 105 years, spanning the reign of Diocletian and Maximian to Constantine the Great. St Anthony had led an ascetic life in the extreme, was replete with spiritual gifts, “had turned the deserts into cities”, and taught monasticism to thousands of monks. His Vita was composed by Athanasius the Great, who had supported Christians in times of persecution and defended the doctrine of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.

The divine Liturgy was held at St Anthony’s chapel on the day of his feast, led by Archimandrite Aristovoulos, hegoumen at St Nicholas Monastery and Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection. A pious congregation of monks, nuns, Greek-speaking and Arabic-speaking locals from Jerusalem, and pilgrims, attended the service.

The congregation were hosted to a reception by Archimandrite Aristovoulos on the conclusion of the divine Liturgy.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 16^th/29^th of January 2016, the Patriarchate commemorated the veneration of the chains of the Apostle Peter, namely his incarceration by King Herod and his liberation by an angel, according to the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 12).

The Apostle Peter was incarcerated in the prison of the Praetorium-Roman Court of Law, in the area where today a Monastery survives, dedicated to the Apostle Peter and St Nicodemus. The Monastery is where it is believed that a conversation took place between Nicodemus, a secret disciple of the Lord, with Christ Himself, on the “birth from above” namely man’s rebirth through baptism according to the gospel of St John (chapter 3, 1-21)

The Monastery is also known as the Convent of the Lentils because it is believed that in this area the Church had distributed lentils and other provisions at a time of hunger and sickness. The iconostasis of the nave has been recently renovated on the care and supervision of Hagiotaphite Monk Antiochos, and at the expenses of the “Greek Association of the Holy Sepulchre”.

In the underground chapel of the Prison of the Apostle Peter within the Monastery, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste led the divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Ignations, hegoumen at the Monastery of the Village of the Shepherds, and Hierodeacons Markos and Charalambos. A congregation of monks, nuns and pilgrims participated in the service.

During the d. Liturgy, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in church to venerate with Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Hagiotaphites and Primates were hosted to a reception at the hegoumeneion by the hegoumen, Archimandrite Makarios.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ZG0CZvd387M

On Sunday the 11^th/23^rd of January 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Theodosius the Cenobiarch at the monastery dedicated to his name in the desert of Judea, between the Village of the Shepherds and the Monastery of Hosios Savva.

The Monastery was founded by St Theodosius himself, having arrived in the Holy Land from his homeland of Mogarissos, Cappadocia. It was founded on the site of the Cave of the Magi as this is the region through which the Magi returned to their homeland so as not to meet Herod after he had asked for the death of the newborn Christ. Here, St Theodosius set up a Cenobium at the request of desert monks. The Cenobium received novice monks before they moved to the Hosios Savva Monastery to lead an ascetic life.

Being adjacent to the cities, the Monastery was involved in charity work. The monks maintained a house for the old, an orphanage and other benevolent institutions. Saints Sophronius and Modestus, Patriarchs of Jerusalem, hailed from this Monastery, as well as St John Moschos. St Theodosios and his compatriot, St Savva, had played a very important role against the heresy of Monophysitism and in favour of the Christological dogma of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, namely Christ’s single hypostasis and two natures, one divine, the other human.

At this historical Monastery that was restored at the beginning of the 20^th c. by monks Leontios and Galaktion, then in the mid-20^th c. by Archbishop Bartholomew of Madava and in our days by the hegoumen, Archimandrite Ierotheos, the feast was observed with a divine Liturgy led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan and Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrite Ignatios, fathers Ieronymos and Modestos, the master of ceremonies, f. Bartholomew, f, Seraphim visiting from the Church of Greece, Hierodeacons Charalambos and Markos, and Arabic-speaking priests from the Village of the Shepherds. Monks of the Lavra of Hosios Savva sang in Greek, with members of the Orthodox Youth of the Village of the Shepherds singing in Arabic. A great crowd of faithful participated in the service for their salvation and the glory of God.

After a reception at the hegoumeneion, the Primates visited the hegoumen of the Monastery, Archimandrite Ierotheos, in his cell due to illness.

On the conclusion of the feast, the relics of the head of St Theodosius were taken to the Monastery of Martha and Maria for veneration, then returned to the Sacristy of the Holy Sepulcher where they are kept.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/vlWotgX78BI

httpv://youtu.be/nOg13LD5SXU

On Wednesday, the 7^th/20^th of January 2016, the day after the feast of Theophany, the Patriarchate celebrated the Synaxis of St John the Baptist and Forerunner at the ancient Monastery dedicated to his name, built between the Church of the Resurrection and Christian Street.

The term “Synaxis” denotes the gathering of Christians in the Church in order to honour together St John the Forerunner, “the greatest among those born of women” and the one who had served our Lord Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Baptism.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Archimandrites Makarios, Meletios and Chrysanthos, and Hierodeacons Makarios and Charalambos, as pilgrim Georgios Pananikolaou sang for a praying congregation of locals and pilgrims from various Orthodox countries.

During the divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos arrived at the church to venerate, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers. He went on to inspect conservation works carried out in the Monastery.

The Abbot and renovator of the Monastery, Archimandrite Bartholomew, then hosted the Patriarchal and Primatial Entourage to a reception at the hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/c_WcrWmQ3nc

httpv://youtu.be/Lyf4hOfN0QQ

On Tuesday, the 6^th/19^th of January 2015, the feast of Theophany was celebrated by the Patriarchate.

On the morning of the aforementioned day, the Patriarchal Entourage walked from the Patriarchate through the stairs of St James the Brother of God to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

There, by the Holy Apokathelosis, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was welcomed by priests, upon which the Patriarch and Primates went on to venerate.

Veneration also took place at the Holy and Life-giving Sepulcher of the Lord.

After cantors sang the Katabasias hymns, His Beatitude performed the rite of the Great Blessing, having the Primates and Priests as concelebrants, as the faithful received the blessing of the Holy Cross and drank sanctified water.

On the conclusion of the Blessing, the divine Liturgy began at the Holy Sepulcher led by Patriarch Theophilos. Co-officiating were the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, Aristarchos of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste; the Most Reverend Joachim of former Zambia; Hagiotaphites, Hieromonks and Priests; Archdeacon Evlogios and Hierodeacons Markos and Anastasios in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. A great crowd of faithful locals and pilgrims, monks and nuns attended the service, as the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang in the Byzantine style.

The divine Liturgy was followed by return to the Patriarchates, where the Patriarch addresses hierarchs and the congregation, wishing that the enlightenment of John the Forerunner by the baptized Lord shed its light upon all of us.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/enkqdsZj7kQ

httpv://youtu.be/VnC959-O4e4

On Tuesday, the 6^th/19^th of January 2016, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of Theophany in commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by John the Baptist, when a voice from heaven identified Him as the Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and anointed Him with oil.

This Despotic feast was celebrated on the Eve and on the very day of the feast.

A.The Eve of the feast

On the Eve of the feast, Monday the 5^th/18^th of January 2016, after Matins, the Hours of the feast were read, His Beatitude Theophilos officiating. The Hours were followed by Vespers, the divine Liturgy of St Basil and the service of the Small Blessing.

The Blessing was followed by return to the Patriarchates, where His Beatitude waited for blessed water from the divine Liturgy held at St James Cathedral, led by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste.

On the arrival of the officiating Primate, the priest at St James and the Church Board members, a supplication was made, after which His Beatitude blessed those present.

Then, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archdeacon Evlogios, Hierodeacon Markos and members of the Inter-disciplinary Group of the Metsovion Technical University, working on the restoration of the Holy Aedicula, the Patriarch left for Jericho.

There, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of the Prophet Elisha, where he was welcomed by Archimandrite Philoumenos and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem and members of the Greek Consulate. From there, Patriarch Theophilos went to the Town Hall of Jericho, where he met with the Mayor and the Prefect.

At the Town Hall, f. Issa Mousleh read His Beatitude’s address in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/01/18/18109

Patriarch Theophilos then left for the Monastery of John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan, accompanied by men of the Israeli Army.

His Beatitude was warmly welcomed by Boy Scouts, Hieromonks, and Archimandrite Chrysostomos.

From there, the Patriarchal Entourage walked to the Site of the Lord’s Baptismal, accompanied by the Mayor, the Israeli Military Commander of Jericho and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem.

There, Vespers was performed on a special platform, as the Patriarch went on to dip the Holy Cross thrice into the water, blessing the crowd of faithful that had gathered there for the sanctification of the waters.

On the opposite bank stood the Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman, Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia, and Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen in Fhes, waiting to celebrate the feast of Theophany on the eastern bank of the river Jordan, next Friday.

On the conclusion of the ceremony, Archimandrite Chrysostomos hosted the Patriarch, the Primates and several pilgrims to meatless lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/8kLGbJQ1goE

httpv://youtu.be/cSXwdVCYN9w

httpv://youtu.be/7dD1TcLxhUs

The memory of St Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea, Cappadocia, was observed at the homonymous monastery near the New Gate, where the saint’s holy relic is kept. Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by Archimandrite Claudius, hegoumen at the Monastery of the Holy Cross. Novice f. Georgios sang for a pious congregation of monks, nun, pilgrims and members of the Greek parish of Jerusalem.

Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, arrived in the course of the service to venerate. On the conclusion of mass, the Patriarchal Entourage and officiating priest were hosted to a reception by Elder Mother Thekla.

Both during the divine Liturgy and the pie-cutting ceremony, special reference was made to the Monastery’s renovator and late hegoumen, the recently departed Archimandrite Keladion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/crFmRqWD7Tg

httpv://youtu.be/RmLCJmt693c

On the 1^st/14^th of January 2016, the Patriarchate commemorated the Circumcision of the Lord and the feast of St Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea, Cappadocia, with a Parrhesia ceremony during Matins at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection and during a divine Liturgy at the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher on the eve and the morning of the aforementioned day.

The feast began with an official Procession of the Patriarchal Entourage at 12:00 a.m. to the Church of the Resurrection.

There, at the katholikon, His Beatitude gave blessings before the chanting of the Katabasias and the Megalynaria hymns.

After Doxology, the Patriarchal Entourage walked in front of the Holy Aedicula, where the divine Liturgy commenced, led by Patriarch Theophilos. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias and Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda, and Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Hieromonks and Priests visiting from other Orthodox Churches, Archdeacon Evlogios, and Hierodeacons Markos and Anastasios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right and pilgrim Mr Demetriou on the left, for a pious congregation of nuns and pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and other countries, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Zacharoudikis and members of the Consulate.

Communion was followed by the Apolysis.

On the conclusion of the service, the relic of St Basil’s right hand was carried in procession thrice around the Holy Sepulcher and the holy shrines.

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

His Beatitude and Entourage then proceeded to the Office of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, where St Basil’s pie was distributed amongst guests as students from the Patriarchal School sang the Nativity Carols.

On the morning of the same day, after the divine Liturgy at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, the Patriarch cut St Basil’s pie for the Hagiotaphite Fathers at the Hall of the Church Board. At noon, the Fathers, the Greek Consul-General and guests were hosted to traditional monastic church.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/w_a1giIq9H0

httpv://youtu.be/nWliBKCqHR8

On Wednesday, the 31^st of December 2015/13^rd of January 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of hosia Melania of Rome at the chapel dedicated to her, within the Monastery of the Great Panagia to the south of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. On the same site, prior to the establishment of the Convent, dwelled Hagiotaphite Fathers from St Zion Hill in 516 AD, during the prelacy of Patriarch Elias of Jerusalem.

According to the Synaxarion, St Melania hailed from Rome and was the owner of great wealth which she had distributed to the poor and used so as to provide nutrition to thousands of monks in the Nitrian Desert, Egypt. Having crossed the desert, she arrived at the Holy Land and went on to dwell on the Mount of Olives, carrying on her benevolent work until the end of her life circa 410 AD.

Today, the Monastery of the Great Panagia is the residence of approximately twenty nuns of the Patriarchate.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were held at the underground chapel of St Melania, led by the Most Reverend Joachim, Metropolitan of former Zambia. Co-officiating were Archimandrites Makarios, Ignatios and Ieronymos. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang with nuns of the Monastery and members of the Rum Orthodox Parish of Jerusalem.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Abbess Melanie, renovator of the Church of the Entrance of Theotokos into the Temple, hosted the prelacy and the congregation to a reception at the hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/UgSLUeJ8S2M

httpv://youtu.be/MlJClQ3SYBk

On Saturday, the 27^th of December 2015/9^th of January 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Stephen the Protomartyr and Archdeacon at the Monastery dedicated to his name, between the valley of Gethsemane, on the site where he had been stoned to death.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, St Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the first Church of Jerusalem to distribute food and charitable aid, so that the Apostles may dedicate themselves to the pastoral work of teaching the world about the Crucified and Resurrected Lord. (Acts 6, 8).

Replete with the Holy Spirit, Stephen proved to the Jews that Jesus was indeed Christ according to the Scriptures, which led to his arrest. At his trial, Stephen made a long speech on the history of the Israeli people, the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Exodus from Egypt and arrival at the Promised Land, and the establishment of the Temple of Solomon, saying that the Lord dwells not in manmade constructions. In closing, Stephen revealed he had seen the Son of Man standing on the right of God (Acts 7, 1).

At this point, the Lords of the Jews dragged him violently outside the city where he was stoned to death whilst praying for those committing such sin.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by His Eminence Theodosios, Archbishop of Sebaste. Co-officiating were the hegoumen of St Nicodemus Monastery, Archimandrite Makarios, and deacon Anastasios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang, having as participants a pious congregation of locals and pilgrims.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, deesis was made at the adjacent chapel that contains the rock from St Stephen’s stoning.

Archimandrite Epiphanius went on to host the Patriarchal Entourage and the congregation to a reception at the hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/EI4hwk_J6-E