On the 21^st of September/4^th of October 2015, the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem observed the afterfeast celebration of the Elevation at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in West Jerusalem.

According to church tradition, at this ancient Monastery Lot had planted the tree of the cross, made of pine, cedar and cypress, that was used for the construction of the Temple of Solomon, and later for the Cross on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.

Between 1845 and 1909 a Patriarchal Theological School operated at the Monastery. Several laymen and clerics graduated from the School, including the ever-memorable Chrysostomos Papadopoulos, Archbishop of Athens; Meletios Metaxakis, also Archbishop of Athens and Ecumenical Patriarch; Archimandrite Kallistos Miliaras and others.

The Archbishop of Lydda led the divine Liturgy at the central church of the Monastery having as concelebrants Archimandrite Kallistos, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Claudius and Hierodeacons Markos and Charalambos. The Greek Consul-General in Jerusalem was in attendance.

Before the apolysis, the officiating Primate performed the rite of the Elevation of the Cross as a blessing of the faithful and the Monastery.

After mass, Archimandrite Claudius hosted the Primatial Retinue and members of the flock to a reception at his quarters and later to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8YThpQB–0

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXetz1bwP7M

On Saturday, the 20^th of September/3^rd of October 2015, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, according to a decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Beatitude Theophilos presiding, ordained hierodeacon f. Samaan Ihab Beijali as priest at the Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos. With priests from Nazareth as concelebrants, the ceremony was also attended by members of f. Samaan’s family and other members of the congregation, exclaiming “Worthy he is” upon the ordination.

The ordaining Primate addressed the ordained priest with advice for a ministration that will be appealing to both God and men.

From the Secretariat-General  

On Sunday, the 14^th/27^th of September 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the glorious Elevation of the Holy Cross.

The feast commemorates the elevation, in the year 326 AD – upon the ceremony of the Inauguration of the Church of the Resurrection – of the Lord’s Cross, found by Archbishop Makarios of the Church of Jerusalem and Empress Helen. On that day, the crowd that gathered to see the elevated cross had exclaimed “Kyrie eleison” [Lord have mercy] several times.

1. On the evening

On the evening of the feast, the Great Vespers was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Once the Ninth Hour was recited at the monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Patriarch Theophilos was welcomed at the Holy Apokathelosis [Deposition from the Cross] and went on to venerate along with the Primates.

The veneration continued at the Holy Sepulcher, while the “Lord, save your people” was sang by the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, aided by Archimandrite Alexios and Mr Takis Pantelis, Hieropsalt from Cyprus and President of the “Friends of the Holy Lands” Association.

Entrance to the katholikon followed, as the Patriarch gave blessings and rose to the Throne and Primates and Members of the Synod venerated at the Horrendous Golgotha. Once the censing was performed by Hierodeacons, Vespers began as Hagiotaphites and visiting Primates prayed. The service was concluded with the Glorifying Apolytikia, the Crucifixion Troparia, the Great Entrance and the Breaking of bread.

On the conclusion of Vespers, officiants returned to the Patriarchate amidst bells ringing.

1. On feast-day

On Sunday morning, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood walked in procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

After venerating at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher, the Patriarch gave blessings, put on a mantle, and rose to the Throne, whereupon the priests approached and Primates embraced one another.

The divine Liturgy at the katholikon was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthe, Greece, Metropolitan Varsonofy of Petersburgh, visiting from the Patriarchate of Russia, Metropolitan Barnabas of Trimithounta, Cyprus, Metropolitan Amfilochios of Adrianoupolis and other Hagiotaphite Primates, namely: Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrios of Lydda, Makarios of Qatar. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and visiting priests, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacons Dionysios, Markos, Anastasios and Synesios. Present at the service were representatives of the Consulate-General in Jerusalem, and a crowd of Orthodox from Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Bulgaria.

After the divine Liturgy, a procession began, terminating at the Chapel of the Discovery of the Holy Cross. There, the Cross was elevated to the four points of the horizon amidst supplications and singing the troparia.

The procession continued thrice around the Holy Sepulcher before reaching the Golgotha, where the Cross was elevated once more to the four points of the horizon, to sanctify the entire universe. The Cross was then placed upon the Altar of the Golgotha where it was venerated by the Patriarch, Primates, the representative of the Greek Consul-General, Mr Koinis, priests and the faithful.

On the conclusion of the service, the Patriarch, Primates and Mr Koinis walked to the Patriarchate, where His Beatitude addressed guests in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/YQ0en_2toFc

httpv://youtu.be/w4muLqXyh-I

httpv://youtu.be/IavOFcjtm-k

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of September 2015, a divine Liturgy was held at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection in commemoration of the Inauguration of the Church of the Resurrection which took place in 326 AD. The construction of the magnificent Church began in 326 AD by order of the Emperor, St Constantine the Great, with the mediation of his mother, the Empress St Helen, and Archbishop Makarios of Jerusalem.

The divine Liturgy was led by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence, Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Barnabas of Trimithounta, visiting from the Church of Cyprus with accompanying priests, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, priests and deacons. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang for a congregation of pilgrims from Russia, Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Cyprus and Moldavia, on a visit to Jerusalem for the feast of the Elevation of the Cross.

On the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Primates and retinue walked to the Patriarchates where they were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Also attending the meeting were Metropolitan Barnabas of Trimithounta, priests, and the President of the “Friends of the Holy Land” Association of Cyprus, Mr Panayiotis Panteli, who went on to offer His Beatitude icons for the iconostasis of the Church of Pkea.

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

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/_Q-7l5igNHk

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the 9^th to 10^th/22^nd to 23^rd of September 2015, during a nocturnal divine Liturgy at the All-holy and Life-giving Sepulcher of the Lord, Hagiotaphite Monk f. Synesios Voukas, was ordained deacon by His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina.

At the ordination, the ordaining Primate addressed f. Synesios with paternal, strengthening and consoling words in the name of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and of the Holy and Sacred Synod, by a decision of which the ordination was performed.

The ordained deacon was honoured by the presence of the Elder Sacristan, representatives of the Patriarchal School, his mother, Hagiotaphite Fathers, monks, nuns and pilgrims, exclaiming “Worthy he is!” upon the ordination.

On the conclusion of the ordination, the ordained hosted guests at the office of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, in the Church of the Resurrection.

The following morning, the ordained received the wishes, blessings and advice of Patriarch Theophilos at the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grT99KaR0Os

A. In Beit Jala

The Nativity of Theotokos, customarily celebrated on the 8^th/21^st of September each year, this year was observed on Sunday the 7^th/20^th of September at the Church of the Nativity of Theotokos, of the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of the town of Beit Jala, near Bethlehem.

The Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, led the divine liturgy, with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archimandrites Ieronymos and Stephanos, the Community’s Arabic-speaking Presbyters, and deacon Markos as concelebrants. The parish choir sang in the Byzantine style, as a dense crowd of Orthodox flock participated in piety.

During Communion, the pastoral speech of Patriarch Theophilos was read.

On the conclusion of the service, a reception was given at the Events Hall which is adjacent to the Church.
B.  At the Most Holy Tomb of the Mother of God

On Monday, the 8^th/21^st of September 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the Nativity of Theotokos in the holy Shrine of Gethsemane, at the Tomb of the Mother of God.

On this day the Church commemorates the fact that from the just and childless Joachim and Anna, Maria was born by divine power and according to the laws of nature, and went on to receive the blessing of the Father within the Holy Spirit and become the Mother of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through the birth of Theotokos “Joachim and Anna were liberated from the indignity of childlessness, as were Adam and Eve from the attrition of death”.

The divine liturgy on the Tomb of the Mother of God was led by Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa, with Archimandrite Sergios and the vicars at Gethsemane, Archimandrites Meletios and Parthenios, and Hierodeacons Markos and Dionysios as concelebrants. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in the presence of a congregation of monks, nuns, pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania, and local Arabic-speaking faithful. After the divine liturgy, Archimandrite Nektarios, hegoumen at the Shrine, hosted the Prelatic retinue at the hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

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

On Friday, the 29^th of August/11^th of September 2015, the Patriarchate commemorated the Beheading of John the Baptist at the Monastery dedicated to him, which stands within the Christian quarter and is adjacent to the south of the Church of the Resurrection. An underground Church dated to the 4^th c. lies within the Monastery, recently renovated by means of collaboration between the Patriarchate and Cyprus’ Leventis Foundation. Over this ancient church stands another, magnificent new church, its origins dated to the 11^th c.

In this new church the Beheading of John the Baptist was celebrated humbly and with lamenting joy. According to Matthew, 14, John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod the tetrarch after accusing him for living with the wife of his brother Philip.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila. Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, namely Archimandrites Sophronius and Thaddaeus, the vicar of the Church of the Resurrection, f. Euthymius and Hierodeacon Markos. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang with his assistants in the presence of a pious congregation of locals and pilgrims from Russia and Romania.

Patriarch Theophilos arrived during the divine Liturgy to venerate. He was accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers and Primates visiting from Russian, namely Tychon, former Head of the Russian Mission in Jerusalem (MISSIA) and Bishop Nikolaos of Ukraine.

The Patriarch and Primates were hosted to a reception by Archimandrite Bartholomew, overseer of the Monastery’s conservation and renovation works.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EobXVNTJ4nE

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQt2J1GwYoo

On Saturday the 23^rd of August/5^th of September 2015, the Icon of Theotokos was carried in procession to the Dependency of Gethsemane, opposite the Court of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

The ceremony began after a Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of the Mother of God, in Gethsemane.

On the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Hegounen at Gethsemane, Archimandrite Nektarios, held the Icon of the Dormition of Theotokos, that was kept for nine days to the south of the Tomb of the Mother of God, and led the procession. Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, monks, nuns, locals and pilgrims from Orthodox Countries, walked before him.

The procession passed by the Monastery of St Stephen in Gethsemane, the Monastery of Sts Joachim and Anna, the Praetorium or Christ’s prison, St Charalambos Monastery and the Monastery of Panaghia Seida Naya, pausing at each stop for a supplication. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang hymns to Theotokos, accompanied by cantors and monks.

The faithful stood on either side of the streets, that were decorated with flowers, to venerate the icon.

At the crossing between Christian Street and the Patriarchate’s Street, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, proceeded to venerate the icon, together with Hagiotaphite Fathers and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis.

The procession continued until the Court of the Church of the Resurrection opposite which, at the Dependency of Gethsemane, the icon of Theotokos was returned to its position, on the Chapel’s icon-stand, to guard the Hagiotaphite Fraternity and all Orthodox honouring it.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 15^th/28^th of August 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Dormition of Theotokos in Gethsemane, at the ancient Church of the Dormition of Theotokos, and at the Tomb of the Mother of God.

The panegyrical Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Metropolitans Isychios of Kapitolias, Timotheos of Vostroi, Joachim of Zambia, visiting from the Patriarchate of Alexandria; and their Eminences, Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Demetrios of Lydda, and Nektarios of Anthedon; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and clerics visiting from other Orthodox Churches, Hierodeacons, Archdeacon Evlogios, deacons Markos, Dionysius and Anastasios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in Greek and Mr George Kamar sang in Arabic with the cantors of St James Cathedral, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General in Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and a crowd of local Arabic-speaking pilgrims from Israel and the Palestinian State, as well as pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Cyprus, placing lit candles along the stairs of the Church, as tokens of gratitude for the Virgin’s help or in request of her assistance.

Many among the faithful, having fasted for the feast, received Communion for the absolution of sins, sanctification and salvation.

Before the Apolysis scheduled for 10:30 AM, His Beatitude addressed the faithful in Greek.

On the conclusion of the service, Archimandrite Nektarios hosted a reception at the Hegoumen’s Quarters, offering refreshment s and fruit to serve as relief from the heat.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAXHwf7U9kg

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHjGL-Nbxs

On the morning of Thursday, the 14^th/27^th of August 2015, the rite of the “Engomia” [Lamentations] or of the “Epitaph” [Bier] of Theotokos was performed at her Tomb in Gethsemane.

This ceremony in honour of the Dormition of Theotokos is performed specifically by the Church of Jerusalem, with Prelates and Hierarchs walking from the Gate of the Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Theophilos, at 7:30 am.

The procession walked through the Via Dolorosa, passed by the Monastery of St Charalambos, the Praetorium, Sts Joachim and Anna, and St Stephen, before reaching the Hegoumeneion in Gethsemane. There, priests wore their festive vestments in order to welcome the Patriarch.

In the Court of the Church of Gethsemane, the Patriarch blessed the Holy Entrance, upon which the procession entered the Church as the Apolytikion was sang “In giving birth, you preserved your virginity in birth…”

At the center of the church, in front of the Tomb of Theotokos, His Beatitude blessed the Entrance and rose to the Throne, followed by Priests and Prelates. Then, priests went on to bring the Epitaph on which lay the icon of the Dormition of Theotokos.

Once the icon was placed at the middle of the Church, the ceremony of the Engomia began in three Stases.

The Patriarch and Prelates went on to venerate the icon of the Body of Theotokos, which was followed by Doxology, before priests carried the Epitaph, by means of stairs, to the Church Entrance.

There, His Beatitude made a supplication for goodness in the entire world and prosperity of our Genus.

Then priests carried the Epitaph behind the Tomb of Theotokos, for the faithful to venerate.

On the conclusion of the service, Archimandrite Nektarios hosted guests to a reception at the Hegoumeneion in Gethsemane.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/OUd2WEoxyHI

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esRvlNlyzJ0