On Saturday the 8^th/21^st of March 2015, the Name Day of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem was observed one day earlier than usual, on the commemoration of the Holy Forty Martyrs who had suffered a martyr’s death in Lake Sebaste of Caesarea, Pontus. The feast was observed as a Small Parrhesia.

A’ Vespers

The feast began on Friday afternoon with the Ninth Hour at 1.45 pm in the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by a procession to the Church of the Resurrection, where the Patriarch venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis. The Patriarchal Retinue then walked to the Holy Aedicula, where Patriarch Theophilos blessed the incense.

Veneration was followed by entrance into the katholikon, where Hierodeacons performed a censing along the holy shrines.

The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang on the right and the Typikaris [head of church rituals] of the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Alexios, sang on the left alongside f. Joseph of Mount Athos.

The service of the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations of the Akathist Hymn was held toward the end of Vespers and followed by the procession of the Hagiotaphite Fathers to the Monastery of their repentance.

B’ On feast-day

On the morning of Saturday, at 7:00 am, the feast began with an official procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

After entering the katholikon, Patriarch Theophilos rose to the Throne, then proceeded into the Holy Bema with the Primates.

Once the Patriarch, the Primates and Priests had put on their sacerdotal vestments, the Divine Liturgy began in the katholikon led by the Patriarch. Co-officiating were: Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth, Isychios of Kapitolias, Timotheos of Bostra, Benedictus of Philadelphia, and Nicolaos of Mesogea and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; Archbishops Alexios of Tiberias, Dorotheos of Avila, Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrius of Lydda, Nektarios of Anthedon, and Philoumenos of Pella. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Presbyters, Priests visiting from other Churches, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Athens, Archimandrite Damian, Archdeacon Evlogios, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. A great crowd of faithful participated, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang, aided by Archimandrites Philotheos and Leontios, as well as Mr Panagiotis Pantelis of Cyprus and Mr Lycoudes of Greece.

This magnificent Liturgy was followed by Doxology on the occasion of the Patriarch’s name-day.

On the conclusion of mass, guests proceeded to the Patriarchate, where the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, addressed His Beatitude on behalf of the Holy and Sacred Synod and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem also addressed Patriarch Theophilos, as did Hagiotaphites speaking on behalf of the flock, or representatives of other Orthodox Churches.

Patriarch Theophilos replied in Greek to the festive addresses.

The event at the Patriarchate was followed by meatless lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/8uQ5tHVscuI

httpv://youtu.be/T4L-SHcv-9I

httpv://youtu.be/7oYwPtaFRxw

On Tuesday, the 4^th/17^th March of 2015, the Patriarchate observed the memory of Hosios Gerasimus of the Jordan at the Monastery founded by him during the 5^th c. AD, in the desert of the West Bank of the Jordan River.

The Monastery was founded by Abba Gerasimus on the Holy Land, after he had led an ascetic’s life in Monasteries of the valley of the Jordan.

There, he led to monastic life a crowd of monks, and to Christian life a crowd of faithful appealing to him. He was blessed by God with the gift of miracle-making, as shown on his holy icon where he is represented with a lion obeying him.

The feast was led in a divine Liturgy by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating with him were Hieromonks, Hierodeacons and Priests from the Patriarchate and adjacent towns. Concelebrants with them were Primates of the Patriarchate, Metropolitans Isychios of Kapitolias and Kyriakos of Nazareth, and Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan and Demetrios of Lydda. Pious faithful from Greece, Russia and Romania, and locals from Jerusalem, Jericho and Israel attended the service.

To them, the Patriarch preached the Word of God in Greek.

A procession followed the divine Liturgy, and meatless lunch hosted by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Chrysostomos.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/q0iQEyYR3dY

On Sunday, the 2^nd/15^th of March 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross for the strengthening and enhancement of the spiritual course to the Holy Easter.

Α’ Vespers

At 13.45 pm, the Ninth Hour was recited at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by a procession of the Hagiotaphite Retinue, led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

There, the Primates venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher.

They then entered the katholikon, where the Patriarch gave blessings, and deacons performed a censing along the holy shrines.

Vespers was then held, as the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang the “Anoixantaria” psalms.

At the end of Vespers, Primates walked to the Patriarchates.

B’ On the day of the feast

On the morning of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, the feast was observed as the Hagiotaphite members walked from the Patriarchate to the Church of the Resurrection.

Upon their arrival, Patriarch Theophilos venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher.

Entering the katholikon, His Beatitude rose to the Throne while, amidst bells tolling, priests and deacons walked to the Bema. As the “Prophets from above…” was sang, the Patriarch walked to the Bema too, where He was dressed in formal attire, just as the Primates.

After that, in the area opposite the Holy Aedicula, the Divine Liturgy began, led by Patriarch Theophilos, with co-officiating Primates: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrius of Lydda, the Bishop of Kamenets-Potolsky visiting from Ukraine, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and others. A great crowd of faithful from Jerusalem, Greece, Russia and Romania attended the service.

Mass was performed upon the Life-giving Sepulcher. It was followed by a procession thrice around the Holy Sepulcher and the Shrines surrounding the Holy Bema.

Upon the return to the katholikon, the Primates walked to the Patriarchates, where the Patriarch addressed them in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/15/10946

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/W-Uhq6-sq-0

On the evening of Friday, the 28^th of February/13^th of March 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Stephanos, Hegoumen at St Catherine Monastery, Archdeacon Evlogios, Deacon Markos and f. Ioustinos, Hegoumen at Jacob’s Well, visited the Rum Orthodox Community of Raffidia in the city of Nablus, Samaria. There, He was welcomed by Protosyncellus Leontios and the Community Council. Upon His arrival, the Patriarch led the Third Stasis of the Salutations and the Canon of the Akathist Hymn at the newly-constructed Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos.

Before the apolysis of the service, His Beatitude spoke to the congregation in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/12/10942

On the conclusion of mass, the Hegoumen and the Community hosted the Patriarch and the flock to a meatless reception at the Events Hall which is adjacent to the Church.

During the reception, a discussion took place on issues pertaining to the Community, aimed at receiving His Beatitude’s advice and guidance.

In the framework of this visit, the Patriarch allowed Protosyncellus Leontios to wear a cross during the exercise of his pastoral diaconate as Hegoumen of the Community of Raffidia.

The Akathist Hymn and Third Stasis of the Salutations were also performed at the Church of the Resurrection, led by Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Fathers.

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

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/HzfKEMcp1YE

httpv://youtu.be/Ofjl74wH5po

On the morning of Saturday the 22^nd of February/7^th of March 2015, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth ordained deacon Imad-Spyridon Souhas as a Presbyter at the Church of Turan Community, Northern Israel.

The Divine Liturgy and ordination were attended by Archimandrite Hilarion, hegoumen at the Monastery of Tabor, and Archimandrite Timotheos, hegoumen at the Monastery of the Holy Apostles in Tiberias.

Before the ceremony, Metropolitan Kyriakos addressed the ordained, underlining the holiness and power of the sacrament of the ordination.

Upon the conclusion of the ordination, the newly ordained hosted those honouring him with their presence to a reception.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ShGoHI6Z1Kw

httpv://youtu.be/zBwelBbcYds

On the evening of Friday, 21 February/6 March 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the service of the Salutations of Theotokos at the Monastery of St George, of the Patriarchate’s Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking Community in Eilabun, Northern Israel.

In this town, of a population of approximately 3.000, the Rum Orthodox Community numbers 600 members. Here, St George Church has been renovated at the expenses of the Patriarchate, under the supervision of Archimandrite Hilarion, Hegoumen at the Monastery of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

His Beatitude was warmly received by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Archimandrite Hilarion, priests of the Bishopric of Nazareth, the caretaker of the Monastery of Capernaum and members of the Community.

The Patriarch led the Second Stasis of the Salutations. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. Before the apolysis, His Beatitude spoke to the congregation in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/05/10753

On the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude and retinue were hosted to a meatless reception.

On the occasion of His visit, Patriarch Theophilos offered icons to all the faithful, as well as financial aid to be used for the renovation of the Church.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/DvkK1YGZ4QU

On the first Sunday of the Great Lent, the 16 of February/1^st of March 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the restoration of the icons and the triumph of Orthodoxy.

1. On the Eve

On Saturday evening, the 9^th Ode was read at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

There, censing was performed at the Holy Apokathelosis, before veneration at the Holy Sepulcher and entry into the katholikon.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, blessed the gathering so as Vespers begin amidst bells ringing.

On the conclusion of Vespers, the Syrians exercised their right to venerate at the Golgotha without a cross, a prelatic crown and a rod holder (rhabdouchos).

1. On feast-day

At 7:00 am on Sunday, the Patriarchal Hagiotaphite Retinue walked to the Church of the Resurrection in official procession.

At the katholikon, Patriarch Theophilos put on a mantle and gave blessings, before entering the Bema, where He embraced the Primates. The Divine Liturgy began as soon as they all stepped out into the katholikon.

Co-officiating with His Beatitude were: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrius of Lydda, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archdeacon Evlogios and other Hierodeacons. Present at the mass was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, as well as a large congregation of locals and pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine.

After the apolysis, a procession of the icons was performed thrice around the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Apokathelosis, the shrines and the “Touch me Not”, down to the area before the Aedicule.

There, the Synodicon of Orthodoxy was read, including wishes for eternal memory of those restoring and venerating the icons.

The procession was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s Radio Station via the Internet.

On the conclusion of the procession, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates, where His Beatitude addressed all present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PhLENlNZb10

httpv://youtu.be/SBZq-tdBJ6U

On Saturday, the 15^th/28^th of February 2015, the miracle of the kollyva performed by St Theodore of Tyre, the Great Martyr, was observed at the Monastery dedicated to his name, to the west of the Patriarchate.

The miracle was performed by St Theodore by divine power, in the middle of the 4^th c. AD, when he appeared in a vision to Archbishop Eudoxius of Constantinople, to warn him that Julian the Apostate had infested food in the markets with the blood of animals sacrificed to the gods.

The saint instructed the Archbishop to tell Christians to eat kollyva, namely boiled wheat, in order to avoid the stain of idolatry.

Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were led by Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa, who preached the Word of God to a crowd of faithful including monks, nuns and pilgrims, on the saint’s martyrdom and on the cleansing of the soul through fasting.

His Beatitude arrived during mass to venerate. The Hegoumen, Archimandrite Alexios, went on to host guests to a reception at his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 14^th/27^th of February 2015, at 5.15 pm, the Canon of the Akathist Hymn was sung in the Katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection, followed by a reading of the First Stasis of the Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led this magnificent and mystical service. He was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, Archimandrite Keladion, the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios, the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Bartholomew and other Hagiotaphite Fathers. Concelebrating with them was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his associates.

The Patriarch diligently read the First Stasis of the Salutations, and went on to preach the Word of God to a pious congregation of monks, nuns and pilgrims.

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

The service of the Salutations was also held at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias, which stands between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, and in all Patriarchal churches.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/WZ7WhltBQzU

httpv://youtu.be/AQiiPFyx3g0

On the morning of Lent Wednesday, the 12^th/25^th of February 2015, once the Patriarchate opened its gates after the three-day holiday, Matins and the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was held at the Central Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Fathers, in the presence of members of the Jerusalemite parish, nuns and pilgrims.

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was performed at 8:00 am at the Horrendous Golgotha by the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, and was attended by nuns and pious pilgrims.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/-hlI8GO2Px8