On Thursday, the 12^th/25^th of December 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of St Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, in the Holy Monastery dedicated to his name. The Monastery is adjacent to the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem before Damascus Gate.

As is well-known, St Spyridon, a father in the Church of the 4^th century, participated in the First Ecumenical Council as a proponent of the homoousion, the same substance between the Son and the Father. A humble, serene and virtuous man, he was offered by God the gift of performing miracles. His holy relic is kept on the island of Corfu, Greece.

The divine Liturgy was held on the day of the feast, led by Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila with co-officiating Hieromonks and Arab-speaking presbyters. The service was attended by a pious congregation of monks, nuns, Greek and Arab-speaking Jerusalemites and pious pilgrims.

During the service, Patriarch Theophilos arrived at the Monastery to venerate, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Sergios, courteously hosted the Prelatic Retinue and the congregation to a reception in his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/CgndHmYfYu8

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, the 7^th to the 8^th/20^th to the 21^st of December 2014, monk f. Anastasios was ordained as deacon during a nocturnal divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher. The ordination was performed by the His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina.

Before the ordination, His Eminence addressed the novice with spiritual words on the sanctity of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the holiness of the Horrendous Golgotha and the Holy Sepulcher, the holiness of the divine Liturgy and the clergy and the sanctity of life required by him during his diaconate, after the example of the Seven Deacons and deacon Timotheos, a disciple of the Apostle Paul.

After these words, the Primate placed his hands on the head of the ordained and invoked for him the Grace of the All-Holy Spirit, exclaiming “Worthy he is”, with which the congregation concurred.

After the ordination, f. Anastasios hosted those honouring him with their presence at the Office of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, who wished for him a praiseworthy diaconate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/n0hxe8-ZfkQ

On Thursday, the 5^th/18^th of December 2014, the Patriarchate observed the feast of hosios Savvas the Consecrated in the Monastery dedicated to him. The Monastery was founded in the late 5^th century in the desert of Judea, which lies in the West Bank of Cedars stream.

Since its founding, the Monastery has remained a powerful monastic center and a bastion of Orthodox teaching, having yielded Fathers, teachers, theologians, melodists, poets and holy martyrs.

Today it operates as a Lavra for approximately 20 monks. Women are still forbidden to visit it.

The memory of hosios Savvas the Consecrated is celebrated alongside the memory of St Barbara, St John Damascene, who had lived and is now buried in the Monastery, and St Nikolas, Bishop of Myra, Lycia.

For the three-day celebrations, His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, visited the Monastery.

To observe the feast of St Savva, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived on the eve of the feast, namely on the 4^th/17^th of December 2014. The Patriarch was received in the forecourt of the Monastery by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Evdokimos, Hagiosabbite Fathers and Arab-speaking priests from Bethlehem and Galilee, as well as priests visiting from Greece, and Arab-speaking faithful from Galilee, Bethlehem, Beit-Jalla and Shepherds Village.

After venerating the relics of Hosios Savvas in the katholikon of the Lavra, His Beatitude was treated to a reception at the Church Board Hall (Epitropikon). At approximately 8:30 pm, the vigil began for the ceremony of the Small Compline and the Salutations of Hosios Savvas the Consecrated, a poem of the late f. Gerasimus, Vespers and Breaking bread.

The divine Liturgy was led by Patriarch Theophilos. Co-officiating were Archbishop Doroteos of Avila, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archbishop Makarios of Qatar, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking priests, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in Greek, Russian and Romanian on the right, with Archimandrite Philotheos on the left. Arab-speaking faithful and pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania participated in piety in a mystic, spiritual ambiance with lit candles.

During Communion, His Beatitude spoke in Greek of Hosios Savvas who painfully sought and conquered virtue, consecrating himself with the grace of the Holy Trinity.

Many among the faithful participated in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. On the conclusion of the vigil, which ended at 8:00 am, kollyva, bread and wine were offered to the faithful before lunch, which was blessed by His Beatitude.

After lunch, the Patriarch returned to Jerusalem passing through the Monastery of Hosios Theodosios the Cenobite. Archbishop Dorotheos stayed for the feast of St Nikolas.

In Jerusalem, the feast of St Savvas was observed at the chapel dedicated to him within the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, led by Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/7HWBzwBS_U4

On Monday, the 25^th of November/8^th of December 2014, the feast of the glorious great martyr St Catherine was celebrated at the Monastery dedicated to her name. The Monastery stands opposite the Patriarchate, in the Christian quarter of Jerusalem.

As has been handed down to us by the Synaxarion of the Church, St Catherine lived in Alexandria, a maiden of extreme beauty, well-educated and gifted with the virtue of virginity. After her baptismal, she avowed her faith in Christ, astounding the philosophical scholars of Alexandria. She suffered a martyr’s death in 305 AD, during the rule of Maximinus.

His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, led the service at the Monastery, with co-officiating Hieromonks and deacons. The head cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Eusebius, sang alongside students at the Patriarchal School of Sion. Members of the Greek parish, pilgrims and monks, participated in the service.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Abbot, Archimandrite Stephanos, hosted the Prelatic Retinue and the congregation to a reception at the Hegoumeneion [Abbot’s quarters].

The Patriarchate also participated in the celebrations in memory of St Catherine taking place at the Monastery dedicated to her name on Mount Sinai. The delegation was headed by Patriarchal Commissioner, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/mvpBgWRQy4w

On Sunday, the 24^th of November/7^th of December, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem officiated at the Patriarchal Church of St Nikolas in Aqaba.

This fine Church, standing at the center of Aqaba, a city in the Northern boundaries of the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was built by the late Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem. Adjacent to the Church is a school, a hall of events and the priest’s residence.

Owing to its geographical position and its port, Aqaba, a city of approximately 100.000 residents, is today a trade center. What is more, its climate has elevated it to a tourist destination. The city is the See of the Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking Community of St Nikolas, numbering approximately three hundred families.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem officiated at the divine Liturgy commemorating the feasts of the Presentation of Theotokos and of St Nikolas, Bishop of Myra, Lycia. Co-officiating were Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Patriarchal Commissioner in Northern Jordan, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella; the Abbot in Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos; Presbyter Vassilios, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Ioannis of Irbet. A great crowd of faithful participated in the service.

To the pious congregation, attending mass to receive the blessing of Patriarch Theophilos, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be reached here:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/12/07/8677

Several among the faithful received Communion. On the conclusion of mass, His Beatitude offered a pectoral cross and a blessing cross to Steward f. Vassilios.

Extending his thanks, the priest invited His Beatitude to return to the city and bless the flock, once His pastoral obligations allow Him to do so.

After mass, His Beatitude distributed gifts to pre-school children, before visiting the school’s premises.

At noon, He was attended lunch offered by the community aboard a boat in the Gulf of Aqaba.

In the evening, He attended dinner hosted in His honour at the hotel.

On the following morning, His Beatitude arrived in Amman, to return to Jerusalem on the evening of Monday.

From the Secretariat-General

On Thursday, the 21^st of November/4^th of December 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple of God.

The Presentation, namely the Entrance of Theotokos into the holy of holies of the Temple of Solomon, foretells “God’s will for our salvation” and the fact that the virgin Mariam, presented by the priests to the Temple, was predestined by God to bear Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His incarnation by the action of the Holy Spirit.

1. At the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the service at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen.

1. At the Monastery of the Great Panaghia

This great Marian feast was celebrated in the Monastery of the Great Panaghia, at the chapel of St Melanie – the Katholikon of the Monastery being in a process of restoration. The service was led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, with co-officiating Hieromonks and deacons. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection sang in Greek and Russian, with nuns singing in Greek.

In the course of the divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, proceeded to venerate.

On the conclusion of mass, Abbess Melanie hosted Prelates and the congregation to a reception at the Hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/u-6ejbACz_8

httpv://youtu.be/jwubeBtiY7U

On Saturday, the 16^th/29^th of November 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of holy-martyr St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite at Jacob’s Well in Nablus, Samaria, where he served as abbot until his martyric death in 1979.

Jacob’s Well was where Our Lord Jesus Christ conversed with the Samaritan woman and revealed Himself as Christ, guiding her  from the depths of ignorance and sin to the path of knowledge and sanctity. There, the current Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin, built a magnificent church in the name of St Photini of Samaria, as well as a chapel dedicated to St Philoumen and St Justin the philosopher and martyr. The latter hailed from Nablus and suffered a martyr’s death circa 160 AD.

Patriarch Theophilos led the divine Liturgy at the Church of St Photini. Co-officiating were His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin; Abbots Leontios of Rafidia, Chrysostomos of Kana, and Ananios of St George, Beit-Jalla; Hieromonk Martyrios, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking presbyters from the region of Samaria. Also in attendance were Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Monk Daniel of the Monastery of Hozeva chanted in Greek, and the Choir of Rafidia and the Community of Zababdeh chanted in Arabic. Pious pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine, and Arab-speaking faithful from Jerusalem, mostly from the towns of Rafidia, Zababdeh, Tubas and Burkin, participated in piety.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, His homily may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/11/29/8285

Several among the faithful proceeded to receive Holy Communion.

Mass was followed by a reception at the Abbot’s quarters and, later on, lunch for the Patriarchal retinue and a great crowd.

During lunch, Law student Mr Halil Yannam, a Rum Orthodox of Zababdeh, addressed His Beatitude.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4lgwXazNvrk

On Friday, the 8^th/21^st of November 2014, the Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the heavenly powers was celebrated at the Monastery dedicated to them, in the Christian quarter between the Monasteries of St George and St Catherine, at a close distance to the north of the Patriarchate.

Vespers and the divine Liturgy were led by Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Hierodeacons and deacons.  Nuns of the Patriarchate and novices at the Patriarchal School of Sion sang whilst members of the Greek parish in Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking faithful and pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine and Romania participated in piety.

After mass, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, the Monastery’s renovator, hosted the Prelatic retinue and the congregation to a reception at the Hegoumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/zdOaL5rO9Oc

On Friday, the 8^th/21^st of November 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast day of the Archangels, Michael and Gabriel, and all heavenly powers, at the Monastery dedicated to them, which lies on the coast of Joppa. The Monastery, burnt down in the 1950s, was restored by His Eminence Damascene, Archbishop of Joppa, by his own subvention. 

The divine Liturgy was led by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth; Archbishops Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Isidoros of Hierapolis and Nektarios of Anthedon; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks from neighbouring towns – Archimandrites Niphon of Lydda, Nicodemus of Lydda, and Damian, Exarch in Athens; Archimandrite Ieronymos, Abbot in Fhes; Archimandrites Mathew and Timoftes; Presbyter Constantine, vicar in Joppa, and other Arab-speaking Presbyters. Cantors visiting from the Church of Greece, upon the invitation of Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, sang in Greek whereas the Cantor of Joppa Community sang in Arabic in the presence of the representative of the Hellenic Embassy in Israel, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. Also in attendance were: the Military Attaché of the Hellenic Air Force, Mr Evangelos Panayiotou; the Romanian Ambassador to Israel, Mrs Andrea Păstârnac, the Moldavian Ambassador to Israel and the Director of Religious Affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr Cesar Margiye. Arab-speaking, Russian-speaking and Romanian-speaking faithful participated in piety alongside parishioners of Joppa and pilgrims from Greece and Russia, as well as Boy Scouts who had welcomed His Beatitude on His arrival.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God to the pious congregation in Greek.

Several among the congregation proceeded to receive Communion whereas icons were distributed to the faithful together with the antidoron.

After mass, Archbishop Damascene hosted all to a reception, whilst the Patriarchal Retinue and representatives of the Hellenic Embassy to Israel and officials among the flock were hosted to a splendid lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/TvGgCeL5mGg

httpv://youtu.be/aHjJuK7s7BU

On Sunday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2014, the translation of the relics of St George the Great Martyr and Trophy Bearer was celebrated mostly in Lydda, and also in the Monasteries dedicated to his name in Jerusalem and in the village of Beit-Jala.

Α. In Jerusalem.

1. At St George Monastery, known as St George of the Hospital, near the Monastery of the Archangels, Vespers was performed on the previous evening, led by the Most Reverend Demetrius, Archbishop of Lydda. The divine Liturgy, on the day of the feast, was performed by Archimandrite Parthenius, and had as participants nuns of the Patriarchate and members of Jerusalem’s Greek Parish and Arab-speaking Community.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Abbess Pansemne hosted guests at the Abbess’ Quarters.

2. At St George Monastery, known as St George Jewish, because of its location in the Jewish quarter, Vespers was performed on the evening before feast-day. The divine Liturgy, on the day of the feast, was led by Hieromonk f. Constantine of Mount Athos, visiting from Greece, and had as participants members of our Arab-speaking flock, nuns of the Patriarchate and pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania. After the divine Liturgy, Nun Anna, renovator of the Monastery, hosted guests to a reception.

Β. In Beit-Jala.

At the Monastery of St George, known as St George Beit-Jala, as it lies in the homonymous village, the divine Liturgy was held on the morning of the feast, led by Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa. In attendance were Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking faithful, including the cantors, from adjacent villages and towns –Bethlehem, Beit-Jala and the Village of the Shepherds or Beit Sahour.

On the conclusion of the service, the Abbot, Archimandrite Ananias, hosted the Prelatic Retinue and members of the congregation in his quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1H3HrFhABXU

httpv://youtu.be/9Meqf7_n72A