On Monday, the 6^th/19^th of January 2015, the feast of Theophany was celebrated by the Patriarchate in the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

On this dwelling of the Lord’s glory, the site of His sacrifice on the cross and of His glorious Resurrection , arrived His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers. After venerating at the Holy Apokathelosis (Deposition from the Cross) and the Holy Sepulcher, the Patriarch performed the Service of the Grand Blessing  at the katholikon, and the divine Liturgy of Basil the Great in the Holy Sepulcher. Co-officiating with Him were the Most Reverend Metropolitans Isychios of Kapitolias and Joachim of Zambia, and Archbishops Theodosios of Tomis, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and a pious crowd of locals and pilgrims alike.

After the blessing of the faithful through the Holy Cross, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates amidst church bells ringing.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jDi3nDp5tjs

On Sunday, the 5^th/18^th of January 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the Eve of Theophany.

Α. The feast in Jerusalem

Early in the morning of the aforementioned day, Matins and the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom were performed at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by the service of the Small Blessing, led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

On the conclusion of the Blessing rite, the Patriarch proceeded to the Patriarchate, where a supplication was made and the Patriarchal Polychronism sang. There, His Beatitude welcomed the vicar of the church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste, who had led the rite of the Eve of Theophany at St James Cathedral for the Arab-speaking Community.

B. In the river Jordan

From the Patriarchate, the Patriarch left for the river Jordan, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

Driving through Jericho, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of the Prophet Elisha where stands Zacchaeus’ sycamore fig tree. The Abbot, Archimandrite Philoumenos, welcomed the Patriarch at his quarters. Then, the Patriarch left to meet with the Palestinian Prefect of Jericho, whom he addressed in Arabic, see link:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/01/18/9544

At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude left the territory of the Palestinian state, passing through the iron border gate. From there, He was accompanied by Israeli soldiers to the Monastery of John the Baptist near the river Jordan.

There, in the forecourt of the Monastery, he was warmly welcomed by Israeli army men of the district of Jericho, Boy Scouts and a great crowd, in the presence of Archimandrite Chrysostomos, Abbot at the Monastery of Abba Gerasimus, Primates and Priests of the Patriarchate as well as priests visiting from other Orthodox Churches.

In the church of this monastery, the Patriarch led the Service of the Ninth Hour of Theophany. From there, He led the procession to the river Jordan.

There, on a platform established by the banks of the Jordan, He performed the rite of the Blessing, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, before throwing the holy cross in the river where the Lord was baptized.

On the conclusion of the rite, Archimandrite Chrysostomos hosted guests to lunch at the Monastery of Abba Gerasimus.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/KakMPI-Lglw

httpv://youtu.be/7Y3sRSAQJVM

Matins was performed and the Great Hours of Theophany read on Friday the 3^rd/16^th of January 2015, as this year the feast falls on a Monday.

The service was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, who read the Gospel of the First Hours. The Gospel of the additional three Hours was read by Primates of the Brotherhood, as Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, prayed with them.

According to the typical order of the Church, the Hours are read separately, after the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom is concluded on the eve of the Epiphany and that of St Basil on the feast day.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/qPAaGnjvu3I

From the midnight of Tuesday the 31^st of December 2014/13^th of January 2015, to 3:00 am of the 1^st/14^th of January 2015, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were held for the despotic feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the memory of St Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea, at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Sepulcher.

Matins and the divine Liturgy were led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with co-officiating primates, such as Metropoliton Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Dorotheos of Avila, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda, and the former representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to Jerusalem, the Very Reverend Bishop Timotheos. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang in the presence of a large crowd piously praying for the grace and help of Christ and the mediation of St Basil.

Mass was followed by a procession around the Holy Shrines, carrying the holy relic of St Basil’s right hand, which is kept in the Sacristy of the Church of the Resurrection.

After the procession, His Beatitude cut St Basil’s pie at the Office of the Elder Sacristan.

In the morning, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of St Basil to venerate, in the course of the divine Liturgy led by Archimandrite Claudius, Abbot at the Monastery of the Holy Cross. At noon, He joined the Hagiotaphite Fathers to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/DGZ_RXF5Dls

httpv://youtu.be/CzncO2cepvM

On Tuesday, the 31^st of December 2014/3^rd of January 2015, the last day of the year 2014, the feast of Saint Melania of Rome was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the chapel dedicated to her, within the Monastery of the Great Panaghia to the south of the Patriarchate.

On this site lived Hosia Melania circa 410 AD, hailing from Constantinople, after having provided nutrition to 5000 monks for three days in the Nitrian Desert, Egypt.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Very Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Hieromonk Chrysogonos, Hieromonk Makarios and deacon Markos. Father Joseph and students from the Patriarchal School sang, while nuns from the Monastery of the Great Panaghia devoutly offered their help.

On the conclusion of mass, the Elderess of the Monastery, nun Melanie, hosted the Prelatic retinue to a reception at the hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PQC8qI9Yjtk

On Friday, the 27^th of December/9^th of January 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of St Stephen the Protomartyr and Archdeacon, the first of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to serve the first Church of Jerusalem and remain there, devoted to the logos, preaching the word of the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, on the site where St Stephen was stoned to death, at the church dedicated to him on the west of the Tomb of the Mother of God, in Gethsemane, in the valley of Josaphat.

Mass was observed by Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns, faithful from Jerusalem, and a small number – due to the cold weather –  of pilgrims hailing from Greece, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

After mass, the Prelatic Retinue and the congregation were hosted to a reception at the Hegoumen’s quarters, courtesy of the Abbot, Archimandrite Epiphanios.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/-5ST8Tsj8J0

1. At the Patriarchate.

On the day after Christmas, the 26^th of December 2014/8^th of January 2015, the Patriarchate celebrated the Synaxis of Theotokos at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen.

The term “Synaxis of Theotokos” signifies the gathering of the faithful in honour of the Mother of God, a contributor to the mystery of the incarnation and birth in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matins and the Divine Liturgy of the feast were led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Hagiotaphite Primates, Archimandrites and monks participated in piety. On the conclusion of mass, they walked to the Patriarchates in procession.

1. At the Monastery of the Shepherds, Beit-Sahour

On the same day, the Synaxis of Theotokos was celebrated at the Monastery built by the late Hegoumen of St Savvas Monastery, f. Seraphim, in the Village of the Shepherds, commemorating the Shepherds hailing from this very town, those hearing the angels sing and seeing the incarnate Lord lying in the manger (Luke 2, 17).

Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were led by Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila. Co-officiating with him were Archimandrite Ignatios, Hieromonk Efrosynos, and the priests of Beit-Sahour, fathers Savvas, Ibrahim, Issah and Hanna. Members of the youth association and other parishioners of Beit Sahour participated in piety, in spite of the cold weather, rain and snow.

The procession and supplication at the underground Shrine of the Shepherds were followed by a visit to the house of f. Issah-Christos, priest from the Village of the Shepherds and the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arab-speaking Mass Media. Later, Archimandrite Ignatios hosted guests to lunch at the “Palmyra” restaurant.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/3UK15inG8ps

On the evening of Christmas Eve, the 24^th of December/6^th of January 2015, to the 25^th of December/7^th of January 2015, at 10:30 pm, celebrations began for Christmas Day, as the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias was welcomed at the Baptismal gate. From there, the Prelatic Retinue entered the nave where Matins began for the feast of Christmas.

During Matins, His Beatitude entered the Holy Bema, then walked through the Beautiful Gate with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on his right, and on his left the Jordan Minister of Labour and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem.

In this Holy Land, where divinity was revealed to humans in a bodily form, the excerpt on the Nativity was recited from Luke’s Gospel, followed by the Patriarch’s Message of Christmas by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina in Greek, see: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2014/12/22/19407

and by presbyter f. Issa Mousleh, the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arab-speaking Mass Media, in Arabic.

His Beatitude and the Primates went on to venerate at the Star and the Manger, before the procession began in the interior of the basilica. Upon the completion of the third circle, a supplication was made, followed by Matins in the nave, in front of the iconostasis.

Matins and the d. Liturgy were led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan, and Demetrios of Lydda. In attendance were Hieromonks and priests visiting from Orthodox countries, such as Greece, Russia, Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacons. The choir chanted in Greek on the right, in Arabic on the left, for a great congregation hailing from Bethlehem, Beit-Jalla, and Village of the Shepherds, as well as visitors from Greece, Russia, Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine.

Many among them received Holy Communion, thanking God for the experience of the divine Liturgy, offered to them by Christ on the site of His Nativity in the flesh.

Mass was followed by festive lunch, hosted by Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan.

After lunch, His Beatitude, fathers and the crowd left for their city in heavy rain, in anticipation of significant snowfall.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/LlIj3-7UqFo

The feast of Christmas was celebrated by the Patriarchate in Bethlehem, at the Cave of the Nativity of Christ and in the Basilica of the Nativity above it, on Christmas Eve, namely Tuesday the 24^th of December/6^th of January 2015 and on Christmas day.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, the Israeli Police, headed by Commander Avi Biton, and Mr Cesar Margie, representing the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, came to the Patriarchate to congratulate Patriarch Theophilos on the occasion of the feast, before walking in procession to David’s Gate.

From there, the Patriarchal retinue was driven to the Monastery of the Prophet Elias. After venerating they left, accompanied by five Israeli horsemen, for the border iron gate near Rachel’s Tomb.

Once the gate was opened by the Israeli Army, His Beatitude and accompanying Primates proceeded, now accompanied by Palestinian motorcyclists, to Bethlehem. They were flanked by faithful, independent of denomination, Orthodox and others, asking for the blessing of His Beatitude.

The Patriarch was warmly received at Bethlehem square by a crowd of people led by Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan. Representatives of the Palestinian Autonomy, the Mayor and the Prefect of Bethlehem, Ministers and Police members were also in attendance.

From the square, priests headed the procession towards the court of the Basilica of the Nativity, passing through the low gate, a symbol of the Incarnate Christ’s condescension and its endurance against raids throughout the centuries.

The Patriarchal procession then walked through the Basilica – a privilege reserved only for the Orthodox – to reach the divine Cave, where a supplication was made, after which the Patriarch, Primates and Priests went on to venerate.

After reciting the Great Hours of Christmas at the Katholikon, the ceremony was concluded at 3:30 pm.

On the evening of the same day, His Beatitude hosted dinner in honour of President Mahmoud Abbas. Guests included Palestinian Ministers and Jordan’s Minister of Labour.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/gYvFFBJVR_4

On the afternoon of Monday, the 23^rd of December 2014/5^th of January 2015, the day before Christmas Eve, the Sacrament of the Holy Unction was administered at the Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen.

This holy Sacrament, preparing the faithful for the feast of Christmas, was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and had as participants Primates from the Patriarchate.

After reciting seven excerpts from the Apostolic Fathers and seven Gospel pericopes, the Primates were anointed by the Patriarch, the Patriarch by the Primates, and Patriarch and Primates alike by monks, nuns and pilgrims attending the sacrament for the blessing of their soul and body, the remission of their sins and their salvation.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/FdQZjel8Enw