On Sunday, the 29^th of September/12^th of October 2014, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, celebrating his name-day in memory of Hosios Kyriakos the Anachorite, also celebrated the golden jubilee of his prelacy, namely fifty years of fruitful and dedicated service to the Mother of Churches and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

To mark the occasion, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Nazareth performed the divine Liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation in the Nazareth pilgrimage site. The service was followed by a reception in the Bishopric of Nazareth, which was attended by priests and members of the Bishopric and of other cities’ parishes, Mr Cesar Margiye, Director of Israel’s Christian Affairs Department, and others.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, honoured the reception with His presence, praising Metropolitan Kyriakos for his obedient hieratic and prelatic services, during an address in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/10/12/7796

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday, the 28^th of September/11^th of October 2014, after Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda led the morning Divine Liturgy on the Horrendous Golgotha, a memorial service was held for the late Principal, f. Photios Kiousis, forty days after his passing. The service was led by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Hagiotaphite Prelates and Hieromonks co-officiated at the service, as the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite f. Aristovoulos, sang with students at the Patriarchal School. Also in attendance were monks, nuns and faithful from Jerusalem as well as pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Cyprus and Romania.

The late monk Photios belonged to the lavra of Hosios Savvas the Consecrated, where he was tonsured monk by the late f. Seraphim. He was commissioned by the Patriarchate to teach Physics at the Patriarchal School of Jerusalem, before taking on the position of Principal in 2005. In the course of his service, he was very diligent both as an educator and a monk.

Patiently he endured his painful illness, before commanding his soul to the Lord on the 23^rd of July/5^th of August 2014. Father Photios is buried at the Monastery of his repentance.

On the conclusion of the Memorial Service and the distribution of kollyva at the Patriarchate, His Beatitude encouraged all those observing the memory of monk Photios, to emulate his example in being thorough with his monastic duties and honouring the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 24^th of September/7^th of October 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of St Thekla the Protomartyr, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, at the 16^th century Chapel dedicated to her, within the Central Monastery.

His Beatitude Theophilos led the Vespers and divine Liturgy for the feast, as the Head Cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, f. Eusebius, chanted in the Byzantine style, alongside students at the Patriarchal School of Sion, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Prelates, Hieromonks, nuns and pious pilgrims.

On the conclusion of Vespers, His Beatitude and the Fathers had kollyva, wine and rusk in the court of the Central Monastery. After the divine Liturgy they gathered at the Epitropikon (Church Board Room) where the Patriarch wished the Fathers strength in their diaconate.

From the Secretariat-General

On Sunday, the 15^th/28^th of September 2014, the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the exaltation of the Cross was celebrated at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, in Nazareth.

The chapel lies within a plot of the Patriarchate in the city of Nazareth, on a hill, and is known as Qasr El-Mutran. A few years ago, the chapel was renovated by the subvention of the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, and Abbot Hilarion of Mount Tabor Monastery. The cost was covered by a pious pilgrim from Greece.

His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos, led the divine Liturgy on the Sunday after the Exaltation. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, and Metropolitan Theologos of Serres, visiting from Greece, accompanied by priests of his Bishopric, as well as priests in Nazareth and adjacent towns. The Nazareth choir performed in the presence of a piously praying congregation.

To this crowd, His Beatitude preached the Word of God, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/09/27/7497

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, hosted His Beatitude and many others to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/uSuTJq-ePCQ

On Sunday, the 15^th/28^th of September 2014, the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the Holy Monastery of the Cross, which lies in West Jerusalem, near the Jewish Parliament.

The Monastery is located on the site where Lot had planted the wood from which the cross was made on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for us.

Between 1845-1909, the Supreme Theological School of the Cross ran at this historical Monastery, offering the Church numerous and distinguished theologians and authors, both clerics and laymen.

Here, the Divine Liturgy was officiated by His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda. Co-officiating were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons. Faithful hailing from Jerusalem as well as pilgrims participated in piety. After Communion, the Venerable Cross was raised to the four points of the horizon and on the site where the tree for the Cross was planted by Lot.

The ceremony was followed by the sanctification of the faithful with the Venerable Wood, the apolysis, and a festive reception in the forecourt of the Monastery.

At noon, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Claudius, hosted the Prelatic retinue to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/UXfmUSvJaeY

On Saturday, the 14^th/27^th of September 2014, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Venerable Cross.

The feast commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha for our salvation, and the exaltation of the Lord’s cross after its discovery by Saint Helena and Archbishop Makarios of Jerusalem in 336 AD. In 629 AD, Emperor Heraclius elevated the cross on the Horrendous Golgotha after his victory against the Persians.

A. Vespers

Vespers for this universal event began on the afternoon of Friday the 13^th/26^th of September 2014, with the recitation of the Ninth Hour at the monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helena. Vespers was followed by a procession on foot to the Church of the Resurrection, and censing at the Holy Apokathelosis (Removal from the Cross) and the Holy Sepulcher. Their Holinesses the Members of the Synod venerated at the Holy Sepulcher, whereas deacons performed censing along the holy shrines. Great Vespers was then held at the Katholikon, led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, as the Head Cantor, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang assisted by Greek chanters.

Β. The Divine Liturgy.

On the morning of this universal feast, the Patriarchal Hagiotaphite retinue began their procession to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

Entering the Katholikon, His Beatitude rose to the Throne, as priests put on their sacerdotal vestments amidst bells ringing. They were followed by His Beatitude and Prelates, who also wore their sacerdotal vestments for the Divine Liturgy to begin.

The service was led by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Prelates: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias; Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra, Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa; Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila; Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Archbishop Methodios of Tabor; Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste; Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; and Metropolitans Panteleimon of Xanthe and Theologos of Serres, visiting from the Church of Greece; Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition (Cyprus); Metropolitan Nikolaev of Pitirim; Metropolitan Alexander of Pereyaslav; Bishop Clement of Irbib; and Bishop Stephanos of Gomeh. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Priests from the Orthodox Churches of Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine. Archimandrite Aristovoulos chanted in Greek and Russian, aided by the head cantor of Kozani, Mr Soterios Arvanitis, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and a crowd of pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Cyprus.

After the apolysis, a procession began towards the chapel of the discovery of the Venerable Cross. There, the Cross was raised to the four points of the horizon before being venerated on the site where it was discovered by Saint Helena.

The procession carried on thrice around the Holy Aedicula and across the Holy Apokathelosis before ascending to the Horrendous Golgotha.

There, where in 629 AD Emperor Heraclius elevated the Holy Cross, His Beatitude raised the Cross to the four points of the horizon and then placed it on the Altar above the hole where the cross had been planted.

The procession proceeded through internal stairs to the Holy Bema of the Katholikon, and from there it ascended to the Patriarchates, where His Beatitude addressed guests in Greek.

In Arabic, His speech may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/09/27/7497

Fraternal embracing and kissing His Beatitude’s hand sealed the feast of the universal exaltation of the Venerable Cross.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nUAayvab5Bo

httpv://youtu.be/IVwQdKoJmNI

httpv://youtu.be/gdpFk9nJF8Y

On Friday, the 13^th/26^th of September 2014, the Patriarchate commemorated the Inauguration of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

The Church of the Resurrection was inaugurated in the year 336 AD, upon its completion. Complying with the order of Emperor Constantine the Great, the Bishops gathered for the Synod in Tyros, Sidon, traveled to Jerusalem especially for that occasion.

The glorious inauguration ceremony was led by the local Bishop, Archbishop Makarios of Jerusalem. On that day, the Lord’s Holy Cross was elevated, for the crowd flocking from afar to see and exclaim “Lord, have mercy”.

The exaltation of the cross has since been celebrated by the Church on 14 September.

To observe the event, the Divine Liturgy was held at the Church of the Resurrection, led by His Eminence Theophanes, Archbishop of Gerassa.

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

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Prelatic Revenue paid its respects to the Patriarch at the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/JkJ17793jNs

On Sunday, the 8^th/21^st of September 2014, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem led the Divine Liturgy in the Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking Community of Tarshiha, a town in the Accra-Ptolemais region of Northern Israel, on the occasion of the centennial of the Church of the Prophet Elias. The centennial was celebrated on the feast of the Nativity of Theotokos.

Before the service, His Beatitude was warmly welcomed to the town by its Orthodox crowd, priests and the Mayor.

Co-officiating with the Patriarch were: the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constanina; the Hegoumen of Mt Tabor Monastery, Archimandrite Hilarion; Hieromonk Martyrios, Hierodeacon Dionysios and Archdeacon f. Evlogios, as well as priests from neighbouring Communities. The town’s Orthodox population observed the divine Liturgy in piety, while cantors from the Community sang during the service.

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

Before the apolysis, the Patriarch awarded f. Gregorios a Steward’s Cross, an icon of Christ and Theotokos, and a set of holy vessels with a blessing cross. Members of the Church Board were offered a cross of the Holy Sepulcher.

During a reception hosted after the Divine Liturgy at the new Events Hall, His Beatitude made a donation of 15.000$ to be used for the completion of the Church’s restoration.

The head priest of Tarshiha, Presbyter Gregorios, spoke on behalf of the Community to extend his thanks for the Patriarchate’s support, manifested by means of previous aid for the renovation of the Church in Tarshiha and also through the Patriarch’s presence at the centennial celebrations.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/axyPhMPqwmo

httpv://youtu.be/SgVLKeyZLvU

On Sunday, the 8^th/21^st of September 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the Nativity of Theotokos at the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane.

The divine Liturgy was performed by the Most Reverend Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Kition, of the Church of Cyprus. Co-officiating were His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, and the Most Reverend Seraphim, Metropolitan of Zimbabwe, of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Both primates have visited Jerusalem as representatives of their respective Churches, in order to participate in the 6^th Joint Commission on Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue.

In attendance at the service were nuns and pilgrims visiting the Holy Land for veneration in spite of the recent events in Gaza.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Nektarios hosted the Prelatic retinue to a reception at the Hegoumen’s quarters.

The feast of the Nativity of Theotokos was also celebrated in the town of Beit-Jalla, where the Rum Orthodox Community maintains a Church dedicated to this feast.

In Beit-Jalla, the divine Liturgy was led by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Narkissos and the town’s vicars. The leading Primate taught the word of God in Arabic to a large crowd of faithful.

The service was followed by a procession along the streets in the vicinity of the church. Participating in the procession were Boy Scouts and the town’s Charity institutions.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/kjf4g1mmNK8

On Saturday, the 31^st of August/13^th of September 2014, Novice Antonios was tonsured as monk at the Patriarchate.

Novice Antonios was ordained as monk by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, receiving by Him the name Anastasios, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers and novices at the School.

After the tonsure, His Beatitude advised f. Antonios through paternal words, saying that the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood received him into its orders after examining his ethos and service at the Holy Monastery of St Savvas the Consecrated , in the School of St Sion, and during the processions of Sts Constantine and Helen Church. H.B. urged f. Antonios to remain a laborer of true monastic humbleness and a deacon of the members of the Church as a Hagiotaphite monk amidst the world, a guardian of the All-Holy Shrines, doing justice to the name he was given, that of St Anastatios of Sinai.

After the Patriarchal Polychronism, His Beatitude and the Patriarchal retinue congratulated the newly tonsured monk at the Patriarchate’s hall.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/x7xwls7P6Nw