Before dawn on the morning of Tuesday the 12^th/25^th of August 2015, a procession began of the icon of the Dormition of Theotokos, from the Dependency of Gethsemane opposite the Church of the Resurrection, to the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethseman.

The procession was preceded by a Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Resurrection and the aforementioned Dependency.

Upon the tolling of the bells of the Church of the Resurrection, the procession began with the icon carried by the Hegoumen at Gethsemane, Archimandrite Nektarios. He was surrounded by Hagiotaphite Fathers, Primates and Hieromonks, and Archimandrite Bartholomew, Assistant Dragoman and Master of Ceremonies. A long row of monks, nuns and faithful walked ahead, as a crowd of Christians, Orthodox and others, both locals and pilgrims, elderly, young and children, stood on both sides of the street in order to venerate the icon. Amidst troparia to the Theotokos, the procession crossed the Via Dolorosa to Gethsemane, where it paused for a supplication at the St Alexander Nevsky Church of the Russian Church, near St Charalambos Monastery, before the Monastery of the Praetorium, the Monastery of Sts Joachim and Anne and the Monastery of St Stephen, before arriving at the Church of the Dormition of Theotokos in Gethsemane.

There, the icon was placed on an Epitaph to the south of the Tomb of Theotokos, where a supplication was made, followed by a Divine Liturgy attended by hundreds of pilgrims and locals asking for the mediation of Theotokos.

From the Secretariat-General

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

On Wednesday the 6^th/19^th of August 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in commemoration of the event cited by the Evangelists (Matthew 17, 1-8), namely that the Lord took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up Mount Tabor. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  Then the voice of the Father was heard from a cloud, saying: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” as Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah” so that by means of that view, namely the revelation of His divine nature He would demonstrate man’s beauty before the fall and the possibility for man to regain it by grace.

The Transfiguration was celebrated:

1. On Mount Tabor, where the event took place, on the night of the feast, as Patriarch Theophilos officiated. Co-officiating were: Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostra, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Bishop Polycarpos of Tanagra, Greece, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks as the Hegoumen of Kana, Archimandrite Chrysostomos, and Archimandrite Paisios, Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking presbyters and priests visiting from Russia, Greece, Romania and Ukraine, father Georgios from the Metropolis of Ilia, Greece, and the Patriarchal Commissioner of Accra-Ptolemais, Archimandrite Philotheos. A pious congregation of pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and locals from the area of Northern Israel attended the service in piety.

To the faithful His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

Immediately afterwards, with the fear of God, faith and love, a large crowd proceeded to receive Communion for repentance, sanctification and eternal life. Before the Apolysis, the Patriarch read the prayer of the grapes, after which Archimandrite Hilarion hosted the Patriarchal retinue to a reception at the Hegoumeneion.

On the morning of the feast, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Transfiguration. Co-officiating were Arabic-speaking Presbyters and Archimandrite Ieronymos.

At noon, Archimandrite Hilarion hosted a festive fish meal.

2. In Gethsemane

At the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord was observed with a divine Liturgy, led by Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks co-officiating. The service was attended by a pious congregation of locals and Greek pilgrims, hosted by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Nektarios.

3. In Ramallah

At the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ramallah, the feast was observed by means of a Divine Liturgy led by Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella in the presence of a large crowd of Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking residents of the town participating en masse in the sacrament of the Holy Communion.

After Communion, the blessing of the grapes and the Apolysis, Archimandrite Galaktion hosted the Primates to the Hegoumeneion, followed by fish meal at a town restaurant.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdcfZ0YInG4

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

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_DW8iI7dUM

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

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUaqF1Yp26k

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZbtf1x2EaA

On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, the 30^th t0 the 31^st of July/12^th to the 13^th of August 2015, during a nocturnal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher, f. Symeon Ihab Beitjali, a Greek Orthodox from Nazareth, was ordained as deacon. The newly ordained is intended to first serve as deacon and then as presbyter priest in the city of Nazareth.

The sacrament of the ordination was attended by the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis, ministers at the Church of the Resurrection and other Hagiotaphite Fathers, the President of the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community in Nazareth, f. Symeon’s wife and children as well as other relatives, exclaiming “Worthy he is” upon the ordination.

Father Symeon then hosted the ordaining Primate and guests to a reception at the Office of the Church of the Resurrection, receiving their congratulations and wishes for a devoted diaconate in the glory of God, for the salvation of men.

The following day, f. Symeon and Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth arrived at the Patriarchate, to receive the blessing of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/iy3RG2EqXyY

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHZC0noFBzo

On Sunday, the 27^th of July/9^th of August 2015, the feast of St Panteleimon the Healer was observed at the Church dedicated to him and to St Cyril the Catechizer, Archbishop of Jerusalem.

Archbishop Damascene of Joppa led the Vespers and the Divine Liturgy, with co-officiating Hieromonks and deacons, as nuns sang in the presence of members of the Greek Parish and the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of Jerusalem.

The pious congregation was reminded of the life of St Panteleimon, who lived in the 4^th c. A.D. and was taught Christianity by his mother Euboule. St Panteleimon had studied medicine, which he practiced without payment. After becoming baptized, he confessed his faith in Jesus and went on to perform healings and to suffer tortures before becoming a martyr in the name of Christ.

Patriarch Theophilos venerated at the Monastery and was then hosted to a reception offered by the Abbess, nun Charitine, the Monastery’s restorer.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq6EfPVA27M

On Saturday, the 26^th of July/8^th of August 2015, a Divine Liturgy in memory of St Paraskeve was held at St Basil Monasery in the Old City of Jerusalem where the saint’s icon is kept. Archimandrite Claudius officiated as nuns of the Patriarchate sang in the presence of a congregation from Jerusalem.

Both during Vespers and the Breaking of Bread and the Divine Liturgy, the names of the pious pilgrims and their loved ones were commemorated. The Hegoumen of the Monastery, Archimandrite Keladion, who has recently fallen ill, was also commemorated.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTKN3tD_2G8

On Saturday, the 26^th of July/8^th of August 2016, the feast of the Prophet Elias the Thesbite was celebrated belatedly at the Church dedicated to his name, in the town of Makr in the Accra-Ptolemais region of Northern Israel.

After a warm welcome by the Boy Scouts at the entrance to the city, Patriarch Theophilos led the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Porphyrios, Steward f. Yakub Akel, Head of the Community, priests of neighbouring parishes, and deacon Markos. Hieropsalts from the town sang with Archimandrite Philotheos, Patriarchal Commissioner in Accra-Ptolemais. The Orthodox flock of the parish participated in piety.

At the service, the Patriarch talked of the Prophet Elias as the “angel incarnate, the cornerstone of the prophets, the second Forerunner of Christ’s presence, the one who cured diseases and cleansed the lepers and healed those who invoked him in truth”.

Before the Apolysis, His Beatitude offered an icon of Theotokos for the Community and a cross to f. Yakub.

A reception followed, where addresses were made by the Sheikh of Accra, Mr Samir Asse, and Mr Mohammed Sempel, a graduate of Architecture in Greece.

On the afternoon of the same day, His Beatitude blessed a wedding in Jadeide, near Makr, before accepting an invitation to dinner at the house of Dr Khalil Andraus, a friend of the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJxh7A0llmM

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An0e6NyHZEo

On Tuesday, the 22^nd of July/4^th of August 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of St Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-Bearer and St Marcella of Chios.

1. The feast of St Marcella of Chios was celebrated at St Spyridon Monastery, within the Gate of Damascus, where her icon is kept.

Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila, hailing from Chios, officiated at the feast. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Makarios, hegoumen at St Nicodemus Monastery “of the Lentils”, and Hierodeacon Markos. Nuns from the Monastery the Great Panaghia sang as a crowd of faithful from the Greek parish of Jerusalem attended the service.

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Sergios, hosted Primates and the congregation to a reception.

2. The feast of St Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-bearer was observed at the Patriarchate with a Vigil at the Holy Sepulcher. Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste led the service with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and priests from Russia and Romania. Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis sang with Hagiotaphite Templar Fathers, in the presence of pilgrims from Russia and nuns.

On the conclusion of the service, St Mary’s relic was carried thrice in procession around the Holy Sepulcher.

On the morning of the same day, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos and Archimandrite Ieronymos, visited the Russian Church of St Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane.

There, His Beatitude was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Roman. Inside the Church, he talked of the life of Mary Magdalene, a witness of the Lord’s miracles and His Resurrection.

After the apolysis, Metropolitan Mark, Hegoumen Roman and Abbess Elisabeth hosted His Beatitude to a reception.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/o8SBYfNRdWs

httpv://youtu.be/af0smr_Y3Ws

On Sunday the 20^th of July/3^rd of August 2015, the feast of the prophet Elias the Thesbite was celebrated at the Monastery dedicated to his name, between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

This ancient Monastery is built in the area where it is believed that the prophet Elias escaped persecution from kings Ahab and Jezebel when, through his prayer, God burnt the sacrifice on Mount Carmel, and there Elias slept under a broom bush until being woken by an angel of the Lord with these words: “Get up and eat and drink, for the journey is too much for you”. So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (3, Kings 19, 4-8).

The Divine Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating with Him were Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, and Demetrios of Lydda; Archimandrites Ignatius and Mathew, and the Arabic-speaking Presbyter at St James Cathedral, fr Issa Tuma. The Choir of St James Cathedral sang in Arabic in the presence of monks, nuns, pilgrims and Arabic-speaking Orthodox faithful from Jerusalem and the occupied areas of Bethlehem, those who had succeeded in securing a permit to enter Jerusalem.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

Many among the faithful participated in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and on the conclusion of the service, received the Patriarch’s blessings.

A reception followed at the Hegoumeneion, as well as lunch hosted by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Paisios.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/rhwc5DTUJDY

httpv://youtu.be/xRXZrbstOl4

On Saturday the 19^th of July/1^st of August 2015, the memory of the Prophet Elias the Thesbite was observed at the Church dedicated to him and to the Ascension of the Lord in Ma’lula, at a short distance from Nazareth, Galilee.

The town was home to a Greek-Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community until the year 1948 when, upon the foundation of the State of Israel, they were obliged to abandon their homes and sancta.

The same took place in other Arabic towns and parishes, whereas the inhabitants of other cities stayed for the duration of the animosities between Palestinians and Israelis, and have since been annexed as minorities, residing to this day within the State of Israel.

Six years ago, the Patriarchate asked the Israeli army encamped around the abandoned Church of the Prophet Elias to allow it to proceed to restoration of the damages caused by man and time, under the supervision of Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and at the expenses of the Hegoumen of the Monastery of Mount Tabor, Archimandrite Hilarion.

The Divine Liturgy in this now restored church, was led by Patriarch Theophilos. Co-officiating with Him were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Archimandrite Porfyrios, Hierodeacon Markos and Arabic-speaking Presbyters from the Metropolis of Nazareth. Hieropsalts of the Metropolis and the Hegoumen of Accra-Ptolemais, Archimandrite Philotheos, sang in Arabic, in the presence of the representative of the Greek Consulate-General to Jerusalem, Mr Koinis, as well as Greek Orthodox, Arabic-speaking faithful from the Metropolis of Nazareth.

During Communion, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan of Nazareth and Archimandrite Hilarion hosted the Patriarch and the congregation to fruit and refreshments in the forecourt to the Church, under the shade of pine trees and cypress trees.

At noon of the same day, the Metropolitan of Nazareth hosted His Beatitude to lunch at the Holy Bishopric of Nazareth.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/99grI9_Is88

On the night of the 15^th to the 16^th/28^th to the 29^th of July 2015, His Beatitude Theodoros, Patriarch of Alexandria, in the context of a visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led the nocturnal Divine Liturgy at the Lord’s Sepulcher. Concelebrating were Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Archbishop Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in the presence of several Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns and members of our Orthodox flock as well as pilgrims visiting from other Orthodox countries.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUk4o2ks4Vo

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5wNEr9Ky0g