On the morning of Monday, the 24^th of June/7^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, in the framework of a divine liturgy commemorating the birth of John the Baptist at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, performed a memorial service for the repose of the soul of Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kiev and All Ukraine, who passed away on Saturday the 22^nd/5^th of July 2014.

On the dormition of the late Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kiev, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem sent the following letter of condolences to Patriarch Kyril of Russia, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/07/05/7922

as well as the following letter of condolences to Metropolitan Onuphrius of Chernovtsi and Bukovina,  locum tenens of Kiev and all Ukraine:

To the Most Reverend Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Onuphrius of Chernovtsi and Bukovina, our beloved brother in the Lord, co-officiating with Our Mediocrity.

With great sorrow we have been informed of the dormition of the grey-haired Prelate Volodymyr, the late Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, our dearest co-officiating brother.

Profoundly participating in the mourning of the pious flock shepherded for years by the departed, we earnestly pray to our immortal king, Christ, who holds power over the dead and the living, for the repose of his soul in the land of the righteous and for the consolation of Your Holiness personally and of the entire Christ-loving people of the Holy Bishopric of Kiev and all Ukraine.

In the Holy City of Jerusalem, 22 June 2014.

Beloved brother in Christ,

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/BPHy1IWMW6A

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, the 22^nd to the 23^rd of June/5^th to 6^th of July 2014, hierodeacon f. Thaddaeus was ordained as priest.
Having served for six years at the Horrendous Golgotha, hierodeacon f. Thaddaeus, was ordained by the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, during the divine liturgy at the Life-Giving Sepulcher. Co-officiating were visiting Prelates, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, and Metropolitan Eugenios of Hierapytna and Sitia of the Church of Crete.

The parents and sister of the ordained attended the ordination, alongside his brother f. Mathew, Hagiotaphite Archimandrite and student of Theology in Greece; his Spiritual Father, Archimandrite Chrysostomos; Abbot Isychios at the Monastery of Abba, and the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda.

At the conclusion of the divine liturgy, the ordained priest hosted his guests to a reception in the office of the Elder Sacristan, who went on to wish him a dedicated and blessed diaconate, liked by God, in the name of the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The service was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s radio station.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/BUc7Uz8WJMc

httpv://youtu.be/OjrM_Ki8Mgw

On Friday the 15^th/28^th of June 2014, the memory of the prophet Elisha (Eliseus) was honoured in the Jericho Monastery dedicated to him and to St Zacchaeus, where lie remnants of the sycamore tree he climbed as a child in order to see the Lord (Luke 19, 4).

The Monastery is dedicated to the prophet Elisha too, as he was active in this particular area, a student of the prophet Elias. It is precisely in Jericho where Elisha had transformed the waters of a living spring from bitter and deadly to sweet and drinkable, whereas in the river Jordan he received the grace of God through Elias’ mantle.

The divine Liturgy was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem with co-officiating Primates: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, and Archbishops Aristarchos of Constanina and Methodios of Tabor. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons, in the presence of Orthodox people from the little flock of Jericho, and pilgrims from Jerusalem and Greece.

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

At the end of the Holy Communion, His Beatitude blessed the grapes, already ripe due to Jericho’s warm climate.

After the divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Philoumenos, hosted all to a reception.

At noon, Archimandrite Philoumenos and Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) from the town of Jericho hosted the Patriarchal retinue to meatless lunch at a restaurant.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/v1P324oEn5o

httpv://youtu.be/ilnHbI3n3TE

On Wednesday the 12^th/25^th of June 2014, the feast of Hosios Onouphrios the Egyptian was celebrated by the Patriarchate.

The feast was observed at the Holy Monastery bearing his name, which lies at the junction of the Gesthemane-Josaphat and Gihon valleys to the south, and opposite the hill of St Sion, in the area known since the days of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as “akeldama” – field of blood, as it was purchased for the thirty silver pieces that the repentant Judas had returned.

At this Convent of the Patriarchate, His Beatitude Theophilos, Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the feast. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias and their Eminences, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Elder Sacristan; Methodios of Tabor, and Demetrios of Lydda. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archdeacon f. Evlogios and Deacon Markos; and visiting priests from the Holy Bishopric of Patras. Cantors from Greece sang in the Byzantine style, together with the Head Cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, f. Eusebius. A crowd of faithful, monks, nuns, locals and pilgrims from Orthodox countries attended the service.

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

The apolysis was followed by a procession to the Monastery’s departed proprietors. Wishes were read for their repose, and the repose of the soul of Nun Seraphima who lived at the Monastery. Also recited was a blessing wish for the products of the fig tree.

After the divine Liturgy, Abbess Paisia, courteously hosted everyone to a reception at her quarters.

From the Secretariat-Genera

httpv://youtu.be/MLTwSYzZTJk

httpv://youtu.be/LyLfFXGjh2E

On Sunday the 2^nd/15^th of June 2014, the feast of All Saints was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the Chapel dedicated to them within the Monastery of Our Lady Seyda Nayia, in the Christian Quarter.

All Saints Day is celebrated by the Church a week after Pentecost Sunday, to commemorate the fact that All Saints are the fruit of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and apostles and on the entire Church.

Officiating at the feast was the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking priests, in the presence of a flock of monks, nuns, local Arab-speaking faithful and pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine. In attendance was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Abbess Seraphima hosted the Prelatic Retinue and the flock to a reception at the Abbess’ Quarters.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jIJ0SYhQm6Y

Monday the 27^th of May/9^th of June 2014 saw the celebrations for the descent of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, on the holy disciples and apostles gathered in the Cenacle on the Hill of the Holy Sion, as attested by the Church.
Vespers was first held in the chapel within the cemetery of Sion, built on the ruins of a Byzantine Church, led by His Eminence, Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. Also in attendance were several pilgrims.

On the morning of the Monday of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Liturgy was held in the Church of the Holy Trinity within the Patriarchal School in Sion. Officiating at the service was again Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila. The choir of the Patriarchal School sang under the direction of the Head Cantor of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, f. Eusebius, in the presence of a crowd of pious pilgrims.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a procession began from the church as the kneeling wishes were being recited, walking once within the church, once around the underground chapel/catacomb and once around the Cenacle.

After reciting the wish at the Cenacle, the procession returned to the Church where a supplication was made for the repose of the souls of the departed.

At the conclusion of the procession, the Prelatic retinue was graciously hosted to a reception at the School’s Events Hall.

The descent of the Holy Spirit was also celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission (MISSIA), led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with Archimandrite Theophanes of MISSIA co-officiating. In attendance were many Russian-speaking, Arab-speaking and Greek-speaking faithful.

During Communion, Metropolitan Isychios read out the address of His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and presented an icon of Our Lady of Jerusalem for His Holiness Cyril, Patriarch of Moscow.

At the conclusion of the service, Archimandrite Theophanes of MISSIA hosted the Prelatic retinue to lunch.

The Monday of the Holy Spirit was also celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Samaria. The feast was led by His Eminence, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. Co-officiating with him were the Hegoumen at Jacob’s Well, Archimandrite Ioustinos, and the town priest, f. Tuma Daoud. The fifty members of the parish participated in piety – “Fear not, little flock”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/dJhYC8IApAQ

httpv://youtu.be/KjBiBHkyVnw

On Sunday the 26^th of May/8^th of June 2014, the feast of Pentecost was observed at the Patriarchate in commemoration of the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, on His holy disciples and apostles on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection. Blessed with the Holy Spirit, they spoke of the Lord’s wonders in other tongues, according to the Acts of the Apostles (2, 1-11), and attracted to the Lord three thousand souls on that day, marking the beginning of the appearance and exodus of the Church of Christ to the world.
This event, which came to pass in Sion, was celebrated at the Lord’s Holy Sepulcher during the Divine Liturgy, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias. Co-officiating with him were their Eminences, Archbishops Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda, with Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. The choir chanted under the direction of head cantor Archimandrite Aristovoulos, in the presence of a crowd of local faithful as well as pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania, Serbia and other Orthodox countries.

The Liturgy was followed by the Vespers of the Holy Spirit Monday and Kneeling Wishes. At the conclusion of the service, the Prelates proceeded to the Patriarchates.

There, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias wished to all that they be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, also conveying wishes by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/K0BYmDNqYjc

httpv://youtu.be/IRBCx54tqtU

On Tuesday the 21^st of May/3^rd of June 2014, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood observed the feast of its protectors and guardians of the Holy Shrines, the glorious kings, Sts Constantine and Helen.

Vespers for the feast was officiated by the leader of our Brotherhood, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with concelebrant Hagiotaphite Fathers, nuns and pilgrims.

At the conclusion of Vespers, the Fathers sat in the forecourt of the Church and were offered wine and rusk.

On the morning of the feast, Patriarch Theophilos led the Matins Service and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating with Him were the vicars of St Constantine church. In attendance were Hagiotaphite Prelates, priests and monks.

After the divine Liturgy, His Beatitude and officiating priests, dressed in sacerdotal vestments, alongside the Prelates carrying engolpiya and the Archimandrites carrying a cross, exited the church while the head cantor of St Constantine, Archimandrite Eusebius, chanted. From there, they passed through the gate of the Central Monastery and, having received the blessed piece of bread for the feast, proceeded to the Patriarchates.

At the Patriarchates, a supplication was made, followed by the Patriarchal Polychronism wish and an address by His Beatitude.

Boiled wheat (kollyva) and coffee were offered to guests before they went on to kiss His Beatitude’s hand in respect. At noon, they were hosted to festive lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/WX7C0tYmZsE

httpv://youtu.be/8w9hqeGOOyU

On Sunday the 19^th of May/1^st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection of the Archbishopric of Albania was inaugurated in Tirana.
The magnificent, fine church is one of the many works of public benefit offered by the Holy Bishopric of Albania. The said Archbishopric was spiritually inert under the atheist Communist regime, yet it is now reborn owing to the faith, wisdom and endeavours of His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Albania.

In attendance at the ceremony were the Leaders or representatives of most Orthodox Churches.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. H.B. was accompanied by the Elder Secretary General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Evlogios.

His Beatitude and retinue were received at Tirana Airport by His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Demetrios of Argyrokastro and assistant Bishop Nathaniel of Amantia, on Friday the 18^th/30^th of May.

On the afternoon of the same day, H.B. the Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Monastery of St Vlasios in the Bishopric of Dyrrhachium, where the Archbishopric of Albania maintains a boarding school, an orphanage, a convent and a Theological School. There, His Beatitude was warmly received by nuns and residents of the aforementioned institutions.

The following day, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and His retinue, accompanied by Mr Orpheus Bitsis, representative of the Archbishopric of Albania, visited the martyrdom site of St Cosmas of Aetolia within the Bishopric of Berat.

On this very site, a Church dated to 1814 was discovered and unearthed at the initiative of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. The Church, dedicated to St Cosmas of Aetolia, has been renovated to serve today as the parish church of a small Orthodox settlement. Its vicar, f. Raphael, welcomed the Patriarchal retinue.

The tomb of St Cosmas, its originality verified from the saint’s wall-painting over it, was discovered in an adjacent chapel where His Beatitude and Retinue proceeded to venerate.

On the morning of Sunday the 19^th of May/1^st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection was inaugurated in the framework of an Orthodox ceremony which included the procession of the holy relics thrice around the Church, deposition of the relics on the Holy Altar, the smearing of the Altar with Holy Myrrh, the setting of the icons of the Evangelists, and the sealing of the church walls with myrrh.

After the consecration of the holy Altar, the Divine Liturgy was held, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Co-officiating were His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem; H.B. Patriarch Irinej of Serbia; H.B. Patriarch Daniel of Romania; H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus; H.B. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece; H.B. Archbishop Savva of Poland; and representatives of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and of course H.B. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. In attendance was a great crowd of faithful, as well as the President of the Albanian Government, alongside the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, and the Mayor of Tirana.

The service was indeed a pan-Orthodox testament to the rebirth and resurrection of the Church of Albania, and also to the unity between Orthodox Churches.

Addresses between the Archbishop of Albania and the Ecumenical Patriarch were exchanged during Communion.

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Heads of Churches and their attendants proceeded to the Synodicon, where the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Albania exchanged gifts.

An official lunch followed at the hotel where the Leaders are staying, in the presence of the Albanian President and the Mayor of Tirana. During lunch, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem addressed the Archbishop of Albania in Greek and offered him an icon of Theotokos and a stone from Golgotha, to be placed for veneration at the newly inaugurated Church of the Resurrection.

Addresses to the Archbishop of Albania were also delivered by the rest of the Leaders of Orthodox Churches or their representatives.

After lunch, the Leaders attended a music concert, after which His Beatitude Theophilos left for the Airport of Tirana. He arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the 20^th of May/2^nd of June via Constantinople.

From the Secretariat-General 

On Thursday, the 16^th/29^th of May 2014, the Thursday of the Ascension, the Patriarchate commemorated the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven to sit on the right of His Father. This particular event essentially marked the completion of God’s economy for our salvation, as Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Word, placed on the right of the Father our human nature, the one He received during His Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection. It was followed by the enlightenment of the Apostles by the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Church.
Vespers for the feast was officiated at the Ascension site, today held by Muslim Waqfs, according to special arrangements for the time allocated to each Christian Community in view of this year’s common celebrations for Easter, therefore of the Ascension too.

His Eminence Archbishop Damascene of Joppe led the Vespers while the choir chanted under the direction of the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, alongside novices at the School of Sion, and the choir of St James Cathedral under the direction of Mr Remon Kamar.

Vespers was followed by a procession towards the Viri Galilaei Monastery on the Mount of Olives, where the Evangelical pericope of the First Eothinon was recited, the Patriarch of Jerusalem blessing the crowd who then walked back to the Ascension site.

On the morning of the feast, the Divine Liturgy was led again by Archbishop Damascene of Joppe with co-officiating Archimandrites and Hieromonks, and Arab-speaking and Russian-speaking Presbyters. In attendance was a great crowd of pilgrims from Greece, and locals from the North of Israel and from the South of the occupied areas.

During the Divine Liturgy, and after having officiated at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem proceeded to venerate in the company of members of the Holy Synod and other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

After venerating, His Beatitude visited the adjacent mosque and venerated the Holy Monastery of the Ascension, erected by the late Archimandrite Joakim and preserved today by Monk Achillios and tenths of nuns.

His Beatitude went on to visit the Russian Convent of the Ascension, during the performance of the Divine Liturgy by Bishop Gabriel of Canada, of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia, and blessed the flock.

Finally, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of Viri Galilaei, where he was hosted to breakfast by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Anthimos.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Rtx3LM4eH-E

httpv://youtu.be/cNK-dxhog9c

httpv://youtu.be/qiXIGT1imaQ