The Christmas Feast of Sunday, December 25, 2023/January 7, 2024, began with the Descent in the evening from the entrance to the Baptistery and the entrance to the Basilica, presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias.

Then the sequence of Matins began, as written in the Minaion, in the Catholicon of the Basilica. During this time, His Beatitude, the High Priests and the Priests proceeded to the Grotto, with, the President of the Supreme Ecclesiastical Committee, representative of the President of the Palestinian State Mr Mahmoud Abbas-Abu Mazen, Mr Ramzi Khouri and associates of his office on the right and the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos on the left and the representative of the King of Jordan.

In the Grotto, a prayer was offered and the Gospel according to Luke was read “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed” (2,1). Afterwards, the Patriarchal Christmas Message was read by the Elder Secretary-General His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina in Greek and by the Protopresbyter Fr Issa Mousleh in Arabic:

“A strange and marvellous mystery do I behold;

      the cave is a heaven; the Virgin a cherubic throne;

the manger a space wherein Christ God the

Uncontainable One hath reclined.

Him do we praise and magnify”

                                                       (Christmas Canon, Heirmos of Ode 9)

Mankind beheld “a strange and marvellous mystery” indeed, as the hymnographer of the Church writes, at the end of times, during the reign of Caesar Octavianus Augustus. We saw God’s condescension manifested in Bethlehem of Judea. Fulfilling His promises to the prophets, God “sent redemption to His people”. This redemption is the Only Begotten Son and His Word, “of the same essence” as the Father. Through God the Father, He was blessed to be incarnated, to take on human soul, flesh and body from the Holy Spirit and the Ever-Virgin Mary. “As He willed and as He pleased” and as the Evangelist John says, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. (John 1, 14). For our sake, He “emptied himself” (Phil. 2, 7), and was “secretly born in a cave”. He accepted the ultimate poverty; He was born in a cave and wrapped in swaddling clothes; He lay in a manger. In this poverty “the wealth of His Divinity shone”. Because of this, “the heaven through the star brought over to Him the Magi as the beginning of the nations” and “precursors of the Church” according to Saint Chrysostom. An angel revealed Him to the shepherds who kept the night watch and a multitude of angels proclaimed Him from heaven through the hymn, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill among men”, announcing that God’s goodwill for men is peace. This all-pervading Divine peace is brought to the world by God’s Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ; He is “the Angel of great counsel, the Prince of peace and the Sun of righteousness”. 

Based on this Divine revelation, as it was witnessed by eye and ear witnesses in the Holy Scriptures, the Church believes and preaches to its members and the whole world, that Christ is the Saviour and Redeemer of the human race, not as deified man but as God Incarnate, for the salvation, that is, the deification of man. God came down to earth, to raise man to heaven, because “our conversation remains” (Phil, 3, 20) according to Saint Paul. The Fathers of the Church say incessantly, “God became man and man became divine”. And Saint Gregory Palamas proclaims that “the flesh is glorified along with the reception and the glory of the body, which becomes the glory of the Godhead”. Through the Incarnation, the Cross, the Resurrection from the dead and His Ascension, Christ as God and man, God-man, sat down at the right hand of the Father after assuming His human nature and paved the deification for those believing in him.

Having ascended into heaven, the Incarnate One, the crucified in the flesh and risen from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, left the Church on earth, that is, the holy disciples and apostles, their successors, the hierarchs, priests and the Christ-named congregation, so that it may fulfil His mission unto the ages; the mission of the teaching, the conciliation and the sanctification of people, so that what was heard on the first night of His Nativity, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill among men” prevails on earth.

The Church worldwide, especially the blessed Church of Jerusalem, proclaims this word and performs this work, obedient to its founder, as it ministers in the places of His manifestation in the flesh, the first of which was the city of Bethlehem. In the magnificent Constantinian Basilica of the Nativity and the humble Grotto, the Mother of the Churches will celebrate again this year, starting from Jerusalem, keeping its ancient tradition since the days of the pilgrim Aetheria and our late predecessor Patriarch Sophronios.

 Filled with the joy of the Nativity of Christ, we address Our Patriarchal and Fatherly wishes and blessings to “every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” (Jn.1, 4, 2), to the pious pilgrims, especially to Our reverend flock in Gaza, along with Our prayers, that Saint Porphyrios remains its protector and of all those suffering there under the raging war.

In particular, we express our gratitude to the President of the Palestinian state, Mahmoud Abbas-Abu Mazen, through his representative, Mr Ramzi Houri, and we wish him God’s strength in the success of his efforts and struggles, including the protection of the tested Palestinian people, to live in peace, justice and prosperity in the context of an absolutely free Palestinian state worthy of international recognition.

In the Holy City of Bethlehem CHRISTMAS 2023

THEOPHILOS III

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

This was followed by the veneration of the star and the Manger. Then the exit took place from the north gate of the Grotto and the top of the steps of the chapel of the Armenians, to hold the procession three times around the Catholicon and the sides of the Basilica of the Nativity and there was a supplication at the central part of the Church.

When the Entourage reached the iconostasis, His Beatitude started chanting the 9^th Ode, the service of Matins continued and then the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. The services were presided over by His Beatitude, with the co-celebration of their Eminences, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Archbishops, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theophanes of Gerassa, Dimitrios of Lydda and Philoumenos of Pella, the Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios, other Holy Sepulchre Priests, Archdeacon Mark and Hierodeacon Eulogios. Despite the ongoing hostilities in the area, a large congregation of Palestinian Orthodox Christians attended the Vigil.

The Divine Liturgy was also celebrated in the Grotto of the Nativity by His Eminence Archbishop Nectarios of Anthedona, the representative of the Patriarchate in Constantinople.

The Patriarchal Liturgy finished at 3.30 a.m., as per the Status Quo.

After the Vigil the Patriarchal Representative in Bethlehem hosted a meal, sharing the plight of the Palestinian people who are being tested by the ongoing war.

In the morning the Elder Dragoman Archimandrite Mattheos went down to the Grotto for veneration and left the Basilica, indicating with this act the end of the first day of the Great Feast of Christmas at the Basilica of the Nativity and the Grotto, where Christ our God was born in the flesh.

From Secretariat-General

On Saturday, December 24, 2023/January 6, 2024, the Christmas Feast was celebrated in the Patriarchate per the current Status Quo and the Typikon of the Church of Jerusalem as follows:

At 11.15 am the Patriarchal Escort from the Patriarchate accompanied by the Israeli Police moved towards Jaffa Gate, where the escort members boarded vehicles and went to the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Elias. There was a reception of His Beatitude, prayers in the Holy Church and a small reception by the good keeper of the Monastery, monk Achillios.

Then His Beatitude, followed by the Israeli Police, proceeded to the border checkpoint of Rachel’s Tomb. This was held in the honourable presence of the representatives of the Israeli Political Administration and the Minister of the Interior of Israel, Mr Caesar Marjieh. From this point, accompanied by competent representatives of the Palestinian Authority, His Beatitude proceeded to the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. He was then addressed by the Patriarchal Commissioner of Bethlehem, His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos of Diocecarea.

From the square of Bethlehem, the Patriarchal Continuity of the procession of vested Priests was directed to the Gate of the Basilica under the chanting “Christ is born, give ye glory” and “Thy Nativity, Christ our God, gave the world the light of knowledge”.

His Beatitude entered the Basilica and to his right, the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, proceeded to the Catholicon, by right only of the Orthodox, He came to the room in front of the iconostasis and then headed to the Grotto of the Nativity through its southern gate.

After the veneration at the Grotto of the Nativity, the Patriarchal Escort ascended from the north gate to the Catholicon of the Basilica in front of the iconostasis. In this place, the Great Vespers of Christmas was celebrated, presided over by His Beatitude, with the joint prayer of Priests and deacons. Vespers, following the Status Quo, was dismissed at 3.30 p.m. At the end of Vespers, a fasting meal was offered by the well-preserving and protective of our pilgrimage rights in Bethlehem, His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos of Diocesarea. Everyone in praise and thanks to God went to rest and prepare for the All-night Vigil of Christmas Day.

From Secretariat-General

On Friday, December 23, 2023/ January 5, 2024, the Royal Hours of Christmas were read at the monastic and Patriarchal Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, presided over by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and the participation of the Holy Sepulchre Fathers.

From Secretariat-General

On Wednesday afternoon, December 21, 2023/ January 3, 2024, the Service of the Holy Unction was held at the monastic and Patriarchal Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen as preparation and sanctification for the feast of Christmas.

The service was presided over by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with the co-celebration of six Archbishops so that the total number would be seven as the Typikon of the Church dictates.

At the end of the service, His Beatitude and the High Priests were anointed with the blessed olive oil, and then the High Priests anointed the Priests, Monks, Nuns and pilgrims who attended the service.

From Secretariat-General

On Wednesday night December 21, 2023 /January 3, 2024, the monk Alexander was ordained a Priest by the Representative of the Jerusalem Patriarchate at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Eminence Archbishop Nectarios of Anthedona at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Wednesday morning His Beatitude received the newly ordained Deacon and His Eminence to give His blessing, wishes and instructions.

From Secretariat-General

On Tuesday night, December 20, 2023 / January 2, 2024, on the commemoration of the Bishop of Antioch, Saint Ignatius the God-bearer, Hierodeacon Anastasios from the Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified was ordained as a Priest by the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Spiritual Father of the Lavra, Archimandrite Eudokimos was present and co-celebrant at the All-night Vigil.

In the morning the newly ordained Priest visited His Beatitude and received His blessing to continue his monastic and Priestly ministry at the Lavra.

From Secretariat-General

On Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, December 18/31, 2023 the annual memorial service of the Holy Sepulchre Fathers, Patriarchs, Bishops, Priests, Hieromonks, monks and nuns was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Liturgy was officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Dimitrios of Lydda with co-celebrants the Archimandrites Philoumenos, Dionysios, Claudios, Christodoulos, Amphilochios, Stephen and Hierodeacon Eulogios. Hierodeacon Simeon delivered the chanting as members of the Church of Jerusalem attended the service.

H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos presided over the memorial service with co-celebrants the Hagiotaphite High Priests, Hieromonks and Hierodeacon Eulogios.

After the service, the Patriarchal entourage returned to the Patriarchate Headquarters and had a reception at the Patriarchate Hall.

From Secretariat-General

On Saturday, December 17/30, 2023, the commemoration of Saint Modestos, Patriarch of Jerusalem was celebrated at the Holy Monastery named after him, at the site on the hill of Abu Tor, separated from the hill of Saint Zion by the valley of Gehenom.

On this day, the whole Church, especially that of Jerusalem, remembers that Saint Modestos was distinguished in the 7th century. He started his monastic striving at the Holy Monastery of Abba Theodosius the Cenobiarch in the Judean Desert.

Successor to Patriarch Zacharias on the Throne of Jerusalem, he renovated Churches and monasteries and proved to be a helper of broken souls, overwhelmed by the fury of the Persian invasion in the year 614. He slept in the Lord as a holy man.

In his honour, in the Holy Monastery named after him, also known as Abou-Tor, Vespers was held in the afternoon by the Archimandrites Christodoulos and Amfilochios and Hierodeacon Eulogios. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday morning by His Eminence Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedona, under the chanting of Hierodeacon Simeon and the attendance of monks, nuns and faithful Christians from Jerusalem.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos visited the Holy Monastery, accompanied by the Holy Sepulchre Fathers.

The Patriarchal and Episcopal entourages were offered a treat by dedicated monk Antiochos, who is in charge of the Monastery and defends it from the challenges of the ill-behaved people.

From Secretariat-General

On the 13th/26th of December 2023, in the chapel of the Holy Pentecost in the hall of the Patriarchate, H.H.B our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos held a monk’s tonsure for novice Andreas Hatzistabulidis, giving him the name Alexander. The new monk has ministered successfully in Praetorium, Gethsemane and Bethlehem. At the same time, His Beatitude blessed the monastic cassocks for novices Alexander and Christos who have been serving at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

His Beatitude addressed the new monk and the cassock-clad novices with words of encouragement, underlining the honour and the responsibility of a monk’s membership in the Order of the “Spoudaioi” (Studious) of the Holy Sepulchre.

In the spirit of these words and in view of the Christmas Feast, His Beatitude wished the monk and the novices for strength from above for a worthy Holy Sepulchre witness to this thirsty world, inspired by the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.

From Secretariat-General

On Monday, December 12/25, 2023, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of our holy Father Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythus the Wonderworker, in his holy Monastery, located in the Old City of Jerusalem near the Damascus Gate.

During this feast, the Church commemorates Saint Spyridon as the Father who defended the same essence of the Son to the Father in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in 325. He is also commemorated as a helper of the poor and weak. He was gifted with clairvoyance and working miracles, he “spoke to the dead and turned the rosary into gold and during the Divine Liturgy he would concelebrate with angels”.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis with the Archimandrites Christodoulos, Claudius, Amfilochios, Priest Nectarios and Hierodeacon Eulogios. The chanting was delivered by Hierodeacon Simeon with the School of Zion students, as the service was attended by faithful people, praying with warmth of heart.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and Holy Sepulchre Fathers visited the Monastery for veneration.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen Archimandrite Father Philoumenos presented a treat to the Episcopal entourage and the congregation.

From Secretariat-General