On Saturday,26th March/8th April 2017, the rising of Lazarus by our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated by the Patriarchate in Bethany. On this feast, according to the narrative of John the Evangelist, the Church commemorates the following event; Lazarus from Bethany, which is nearby Jerusalem, was a friend of Christ, and having become seriously ill, he died. Having arrived at his tomb, the Lord in His divine-human power resurrected Lazarus who had already been dead for four days, confirming thus to both His disciples and us our common Resurrection.

In memory of this event, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the day of the feast in the Holy Nunnery named after Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary, the place where the Lord began walking with Martha and Mary heading for the tomb.

The Divine Liturgy was led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, with concelebrants the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, visiting Reverend Metropolitans of the Russian Church George of Nizni Novgorod and Alexander of Chlemitski in Ukraine, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, among whom the Priest of the Holy Monastery Archimandrite Epiphanios, and Hieromonks chanting, as well as the nuns of the Monastery amidst a fully crowded Church.

To this congregation His Beatitude preached the divine word as follows:

“O Christ, who art the Resurrection and the Life of man, standing by the tomb of Lazarus Thou hast confirmed our faith in Thy two natures, O forebearing Lord, proving that Thou wast born from the pure Virgin as both God and man. For as man Thou hast asked ‘Where is he buried?’ and as God by Thy life-giving command Thou hast raised him from the dead on the fourth day” the hymn writer of the Church proclaims.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Noble pilgrims,

Great and paradox is the miracle worked today at this holy place where our Lord Jesus Christ stood and Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary welcomed Him. This great miracle is the resurrection from the dead of the holy and righteous friend of Christ Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, and whose memory we festively celebrate. And this is so, because Lazarus became the salvific preamble of our rebirth, our general resurrection in Christ, as the hymn writer says: “Giving us before Thy Passion an assurance of the general resurrection, Thou hast raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry to Thee, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord”.

Being with His disciples in Bethany, by the tomb of the buried Lazarus, whom He resurrected, eventhough he had been dead for four days, Christ proved that He is the resurrection and the life, as St. John the Evangelist witnesses: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

Moreover, our Lord Jesus Christ proved that He is perfect God and perfect man. In other words, He certified His two hypostatic natures, the divine and the human. He certified His undertaking of the human flesh by the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, which He deified, absolving it (the flesh) from the corruption of death, that is, the corruption of sin.

By Lazarus’ resurrection, it became known that Christ was the Son of God and God; and that he was resurrected, and there will be resurrection of the dead. For this reason the hymn writer proclaims: “Christ the joy of all, the truth, the light, the life, the resurrection of the world, in His love appeared to those on earth; and He became Himself the pattern of our resurrection, granting divine forgiveness unto all”.

It is precisely this joy of the resurrection, which our Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the world, that we foretaste today, with our presence in Bethany, the town of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. The hymn writer says, “Today Bethany proclaims beforehand the Resurrection of Christ the Giver of Life, and it rejoices at the rising of Lazarus”. And Bethany also conveyed the message of the coming of the King of Glory in Jerusalem according to Prophet Zacharias who said: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9).

Of course, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Saviour Jesus Christ is the One who encouraged the children of Jerusalem to cry aloud “Hosanna in the highest, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Let us therefore my beloved brothers, prepare ourselves, so that just like the innocent children we mystically praise him with palm trees and branches and proclaim: Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest. And together with the Hymn writer let us say: “By the prayers of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, grant us worthy too, to witness Your Cross and Passion O Lord, and the glorious, and queen of the days, Resurrection of Your philanthropy” Amen. Happy Easter!”

The dismissal of the Divine Liturgy was followed by a procession to Lazarus’ tomb, led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, where the gospel narrative according to St. John the Evangelist on Lazarus’ resurrection was read.

The Abbess of the Monastery Nun Eupraxia offered His Beatitude a reception and a meal to the Episcopal Entourage.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Mr502qYcjak

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On Saturday, 26th March/8th April 2017, Lazarus Saturday was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the south-east top of the Mount of Olives, in memory of the resurrection of Christ’s friend Lazarus, who was dead for four days.

The Lord resurrected Lazarus who was buried for four days, and escorted him from his tomb to his home town Bethany, sympathizing to the point of tears with our death, due to our fall, and thus confirming the common Resurrection of all people in His glorious second coming.

This event was celebrated at the above mentioned place by the Patriarchate according to the Typikon rules of worship, at the special place of the Byzantine Church ruins, for centuries occupied by the Ottomans, present Muslims, where they keep a Mosque.  

At the recently renovated Holy Altar and more recently vandalized and then sanctified by the prayer of the Holy Altar, Vespers was held in the evening and the Divine Liturgy in the morning, led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, with concelebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Arab-speaking Priests of St. James the Brother of God Cathedral, and deacons, at the singing of Archimandrite Aristovoulos with the novices of the Patriarchal School on the right, and the choir of the St. James Cathedral under Mr. Rimon Kamar on the left, with the participation of faithful from Jerusalem and the pilgrims who have arrived for the Feast of Pascha from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Cyprus.

 At the end of the Divine Liturgy at the Mount of Olives, many of the Priests and the pilgrims went to Bethany to participate to the feast there as well.

The good keeper of the Nunnery opposite the Ascension Shrine Monk Ahillios offered a reception to the Episcopal entourage and the pilgrims.

From Secretariat-General  
httpv://youtu.be/caLjNfJscoc

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On Friday, 25th March/7th April 2017, the feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos was celebrated in Nazareth.

At this feast, the Church commemorates that fact that in the last days, God fulfilled the long foretold mystery of the incarnation of His Only Begotten Son and Logos. To this cause, He sent Archangel Gabriel to a pure virgin in Nazareth and announced to her that by the power of the Holy Spirit, she was to conceive and bear in flesh the Saviour of the world.

When the virgin said “behold the maiden of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to thy word”, the incorporeal Logos took bodily form, and the One without flesh became incarnate. This even was celebrated by the Jerusalem Church at the place of its revelation, in Nazareth, at the Shrine where the spring is.

The outdoor Services of Matins and Divine Liturgy were led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, with concelebrants the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, the Most Reverend Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Damascene of Joppa, Methodios of Tabor, the visiting Metropolitans Simeon and Alexandros from Moscow Patriarchate, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks Fr. Hilarion Hegoumen of Tabor, Fr. Chrysostom Hegoumen of Kana, Fr. Sophronios Hegoumen of Aylaboun, Fr. Philotheos Hegoumen of Acre, Arab speaking Priests, many Russian speaking Priests, the Priests of the Holy Shrine Fr. Evaggelos, Fr. Simeon, Fr. John, Fr. Sergios, Fr. Athanasios and Fr. Samuel. Singing was the Choir Leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos with the newly organized by him choir and the choir of the Nazareth Shrine, in Greek, Arabic, Russian and Romanian, at the participation in contrition and piety of a large congregation from the locals in Nazareth and other towns of north Israel, and many pilgrims mainly from Russia but also from Romania, Serbia and Greece.

At the Koinonikon of the Divine Liturgy His Beatitude preached the divine word as follows:

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad” (Psalm 96:11), for “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God”(Psalm 98:3).

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Noble Christians and pilgrims,

The annunciation of the coming of the “saviour of God”, meaning the Word (Logos) of God from Virgin Mary, has brought us together from near and afar in this blessed place of our hagiographic town of Nazareth, in order to celebrate in doxology and thanksgiving the memory of this universal and world-saving event. And together with Archangel Gabriel let us say to the Virgin and Theotokos, Mother of God Mariam, “Rejoice, thou who are highly favored! The Lord is with thee” (Luke 1:28), for Thou has given birth to the Saviour of our souls.

This great and paradox mystery was foretold by the great Prophet Isaiah saying “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This is the concealed mystery in all time, and today made known to us humans; that is, God’s Logos and God becomes the Son of the Virgin by the outmost condescension. “A pavilion full of light is prepared for Thee, O Master: the undefiled womb of the Child of God. Come down and enter it, taking pity on Thy creatures, whom the avenging spirit in his envy has attacked and holds in bondage. They have lost their former beauty, and await Thine descend for their salvation” the hymn writer exclaims.

Yes my beloved brothers, our humankind was enslaved and maliciously fought by its rival the devil. Of course this was due to the fact that the first man, the old Adam, misused his divine gift of “free will” and instead of obeying to the Will of his Creator, he obeyed his own will. Because of this, sin entered the world, meaning the corruption of death, and man lost his first divine glory, the immortality, he enjoyed being in communion with his Creator and God. “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people” St. Paul preaches. In other words, the death of sin came to humankind through the old Adam, while the salvation comes from the new Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ.

That is why the hymn writer of the church proclaims: “Rejoice, O modest one, recalling of Adam and deliverance of Eve, joy of the world and exceeding gladness of our race: for in thee all the fullness of the Godhead is come to dwell bodily, by the good pleasure of the eternal Father and with the co-operation of the Holy Spirit”.

This undeniable truth is also confessed and witnessed by St. John the Evangelist saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Interpreting these words, St. Cyril of Alexandria says: it is well said by St. John the Theologian that, He (the Word) made His dwelling among us, so that he identifies the two parts of this phrase, the first is the One who dwelled and the second the place of the dwelling, so that you will not think that he was extended in flesh, but on the contrary, he took upon himself his own body of flesh, from the temple of the holy Virgin. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9), as St. Paul says.

The incarnation of God the Logos through the pure blood of Virgin Mary and His dwelling (of God the Logos) in her temple, meaning her womb, made her Theotokos and Mother of God.

In other words Virgin Mary with the co-operation of the Holy Spirit participates in the mystery of Divine providence, meaning the salvation of man, on behalf of all humankind. For this reason we exclaim to her: “Rejoice tabernacle of God the Word, Rejoice Holy one, holier than the Holies”. “Rejoice Thou who are full of grace, the Lord is with Thee” (Luke 1:28). “Today things below are joined to things above. Adam is renewed, and Eve is set free from her ancient sorrow; and the tabernacle of our nature, which the Lord took upon himself, deifying the substance He assumed, is become the Temple of God” the hymn writer of the Church says.

Today there are also glad tidings for the ever-existing holy Church of Christ which has been revealed by Christ’s incarnate presence. And we say this because Theotokos’ annunciation also announced the revelation of the household of our God and Saviour Christ in the world. The household which according to St. Paul is “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”(1 Tim. 3:15). In other words, the Church is a pillar and steadfast foundation which holds the salvific truth.

The Holy Spirit which came to Virgin Mary, this very Spirit upholds and composes the institution of the Church. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace” (Gal. 5:22) among other things, St. Paul teaches.

These very fruits of the Holy Spirit, meaning, love, joy and peace, are the good tidings that the Holy Church of Christ brings to us in celebration and festivity today. This was moreover foretold by the prophets and thus by Prophet David saying: “In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound” (Psalm 72:7).

This incarnate peace and righteousness, meaning the Son and Logos of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is the One that Virgin Mary conceived in her womb and gave birth to, and became thus the key to Christ’s Kingdom. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking” St. Paul says, “but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval” (Romans 14:17-18).

Let us therefore thank our Trinitarian God and say along with the hymn writer: “The Theotokos heard a voice she knew not, when the Archangel brought her the glad tidings of the Annunciation; and accepting his salutation with faith, she conceived Thee the pre-eternal God. Therefore in great rejoicing we also cry aloud to Thee: O God, who without change has taken flesh from her, grant peace unto the world and to our souls great mercy” Amen.”

After the Divine Liturgy there was a procession at the town’s main street, led by Scouts, with the participation of all the congregation. At the end of the procession Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and the Community Council offered His Beatitude, His Entourage and many others a meal with fish as the main course at the refectory.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/eo_FatwL9NA

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On Friday, 25th March/7th April 2017, the feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated in Gethsemane at her Tomb. The feast with Matins and the Divine Liturgy was led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia, with concelebrants the Priests of the Sacred Shrine Archimandrites Meletios , Parthenios and Euphosynos and Deacon Anastasios, at the singing of the choir singers of the Shrine and with the participation of monks, nuns and pilgrims from the Community of Jerusalem.

After the Divine Liturgy the Hegoumen of the Holy Shrine Most Reverend Archbishop Dorotheos of Avila held a reception for the Episcopal entourage at the Hegoumeneion of the Shrine.

From Secretariat-General

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On Friday evening, 18th/31st March 2017, the full Akathist Service was celebrated as part of the Compline and the Kanon of the Theotokos at the Catholicon of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection. The Choir Leader Archimandrite Aristovoulos was singing on the right and Mr. Alvanos on the left.

The first part of the Salutations was recited by the leader of the Service, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, the second part by Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the third by Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios and the fourth by Dragouman Archimandrite Matthew.

The Service was attended in contrition by His Excellency the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, the Ambassador of Greece in France Mrs. Sophia Stamatelli, members of the Greek Community in Jerusalem and noble pilgrims.

At the dismissal of the Service the Patriarchal Entourage headed for the Patriarchate.

From Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/1HCIXPQGRHA
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The Service of the Akathist Hymn was officiated by the Most Reverend Archbishop Makarios of Qatar at the Holy Cathedral of Saints Isaac and George in Doha, with contrition at the participation of a multitude of faithful, on Friday 18th/31st March. The Service was held for the first time in front of the Holy Icon of Theotokos, which is an offering from Jerusalem Patriarchate for the congregation of the Archdiocese of Qatar.

The Service was held in the Greek, Arabic and Serbian languages. The members of the congregation expressed their warm thanks to the Patriarchate as well as their admiration for the offer of the elaborate icon of the Theotokos which they consider their protector and curator of Qatar.

At the end of the Service the Archbishop gave a sermon on the Most Holy Theotokos, referring to the history of the Akathist Service with simple but concise words.

From the Holy Archdiocese of Qatar

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On Thursday afternoon, 17th/30th March 2017, the so far novice monk who has been serving at the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Fr. Constantinos was tonsured a monk by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, at the Reception Hall of the Patriarchate. Present were the Most Reverend Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis and Elder Sacristan, the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Secretary-General, the Fathers serving at the Church of the Resurrection and other Hagiotaphite Fathers and pilgrims.

After the tonsure, His Beatitude praised the new monk Fr. Constantinos for his devoted service, which was appreciated by the Holy Synod so as to decide his tonsure, and advised him to continue his service at the Holy Sepulchre, the Horrendous Golgotha and the pilgrims with devotion, patience and purity, being a good example to them for their spiritual benefit.

Consequently those who honoured the newly-tonsured monk Fr. Constantinos with their presence congratulated him and wished him a good service.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/sJn_QfankEk

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At 10:30 am on Monday 14th/27th March 2017, a Doxology was celebrated at the Catholicon of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection, as a thanksgiving to our God, who fortified our nation in order to be liberated from the four hundred years of Turkish slavery; there was also a Deisis to God for the repose of the souls of our brothers and fathers who fought for their faith and country and died gloriously.

The Doxology was led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and co-officiates were Hagiotaphite Archbishops and Hieromonks, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos with the participation in prayer of members of the Greek Community and the Greek Orthodox congregation.

After the Doxology the ascend to the Patriarchate followed, where His Beatitude gave the following address:

“Your Excellency Consul General of Greece, Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos,

Reverend Fathers and Brothers,

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today’s anniversary of 25th March 1821 is a landmark not only to the glorious and long history of Hellenism and Romiosyni but also to the history of humanity. And this is so because the Christian nation of the Greeks, inspired by the eternal principles of the Gospel of the Crucified and Resurrected our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, was not in the least quailed by the sufferings it endured by the Ottoman slavery and tyranny. On the contrary, it remained faithful in the hope of resurrection; the resurrection which is inextricably linked with freedom, which was granted as a gift by the creative power of God to His deified creature, the human being, as St. Paul preaches; “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty” (Gal. 5:13).

To this “calling to liberty” were highlighted not only the holy martyrs of Church, but also the fighters of the 1821 revolution. This is moreover witnessed by the famous watchword of the revolution; “ For the holy faith of Christ and the freedom of the country”.

Genuine and candid ministers of the fight for the faith and the country were distinguished among others, the great leaders and heroes of 1821, the Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos, Theodoros Kolokotronis, Makrygiannis as well as members of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

We make reference to the sacrificial to the blood contribution to the fight for faith and freedom of these great men, because our contemporary era is challenged by the ill and libertine spirit of globalization, that is opposed to the sacred command of the first martyr of freedom Rigas Feraios, which is directed especially to the young people; “Do not put you hope in foreigners and adulterate sons for Greece to be saved…”

The heroic fight of the Greek Revolution for the faith and the country in 1821 propounds the moral and indelible values which distinguish the uniqueness of the human being and the purpose for his existence. And this is so because a specific characteristic of man is the spirit that lives in him (2 Tim. 1:14), that is, his soul. “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat. 16:26) says the Lord.

Our Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, sensing its duty, partakes with its whole mind to this festal memorial for our noble nation’s rebirth from its ashes,  and thus came to the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection in full participation, where they offered a thanksgiving Doxology to our Crucified and Resurrected Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, for the divine benefaction towards our nation. They also prayed fervently for the eternal repose in the land of the living for the souls of those who heroically fought for their faith and country and gloriously suffered a martyr’s death in the sacred fight for the noble nation of the Roman Orthodox people.

Through this celebration today, our Holy Church of Jerusalem, boasting in the Lord for its contribution as well as the participation of its faithful children, clergy and laity for this fight for freedom from the conqueror’s slavery, dutifully venerates their sacred memory and gratefully honours the victorious triumph of the 1821 revolution of the nation.

For all these, allow Us to raise Our glass and exclaim in thanksgiving;

Vive 25th March 1821!

Vive the noble and royal nation of the Romans!

Vive Greece!

Vive the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood!”

Consequently the Consul General of Greece gave the following address:

“Your Beatitude, Most Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We celebrate today the Revolution of our Nation in 1821. With a feeling of national pride we remember the most glorious page of our contemporary history and honour those who with their grandiose rebellion, which began on 25th March 1821, led the fight for all, and managed to throw off the Ottoman yoke through a long and unequal confrontation, full of sacrifices and indescribable sufferings, and to put an end to the four dark centuries of foreign sovereignty and secure the outmost gift of freedom for the generations that followed.

With today’s celebration we ought to remember those elements which made the success of the Greek Revolution possible, which always remain contemporary, and especially when our Country faces great challenges and is surrounded by old and new dangers; the importance of faith in the righteous fight which bears boldness and determination, enough to overcome the greatest obstacles; of fortitude of soul which ensures endurance and physical strength that are necessary provisions for every long and arduous effort, and of course, of the national togetherness and unity of all the national powers in the common effort.

We ought not to forget that the national revolution in 1821 was made possible because Hellenism managed to keep integral its identity, national consciousness, values, and the desire for freedom during the long and tenebrous years of the Turkish occupation. To all these, the most significant role was of course that of the Church, which became depositary of our values, preserving the language, the Christian Faith and the hope of the nation’s Resurrection. Thanks to the Church, the Roman’s expectation to be liberated never abandoned them.

Moreover, before the time of the Revolution drew near, clergy men, such as Saint Cosmas Aitolos, worked tirelessly to awaken the people’s consciousness with the educational message of the nation’s revolution, and quite often, paid the price with their lives. When the time of the Revolution came, the Greeks fought for their country as much as they did for their Faith. A multitude of clergy men participated in the battlefields and shed their blood.

The role of the Expatriate Greeks was also important for both the preparation and the positive outcome of the Revolution. The members of the Society of Friends (Philiki Etairia) originating from big cities of Europe, had a significant participation in the initial planning, organization and material/financial support of the Revolution, while highly educated members of the expatriates conveyed the ideas of Enlightenment and demonstrated their relevance to Hellenism, thus giving a contemporary ideological substance to the Fight, inspiring the Fighters and giving expression to their patriotic spirit; at the same time, they contributed to the projection of the Revolution towards the international common opinion of the time and the promotion of a favourable attitude towards Greece.

March 25th, 1821, remains for all of us the foundation of our national hypostasis and the capstone of the Nation’s contemporary history. The heroism, self-denial and determination of the Revolution Fighters to have a free, law-abiding and democratic Country, especially now amidst the most adverse international conjuncture, inspire us, but simultaneously bind us to live up to their standards, and just as they did, we should also rise to the occasion and work together in unity for the overcoming of the obstacles, no matter how insurmountable they appear to be. Greeks worldwide and especially those of the Holy Land, headed by the venerable Church of Zion, are a precious source of inspiration and strength in this effort.

Today’s celebration, the anniversary of the national regeneration should be a source of hope and expectation that our own efforts to overcome a long lasting financial crisis will succeed. We ought at the same time to consider our duty and responsibility towards the Nation, recalling the words of General Makrygiannis “we are in “we” and not in “I”.

Vive 25th March 1821!

Vive Greece!”

The ceremony ended by honouring His Beatitude.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ugaCUS71jdE

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On Sunday 13th/26th March 2017, the 4^th Sunday of the Great Lent, one week after the Sunday of the Adoration of the Sacred and Life-giving Cross, the feast of the Adoration of the Sacred Cross was observed at the old Holy Monastery of the Sacred Cross, which is located on West Jerusalem, near the Jewish Houses of Parliament.

The feast was celebrated in this Monastery, due to the fact that the three-composed wood (composed of cedar, cypress and pine) was planted there by Lot, and that is the wood used to make the cross on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.

The feast and the Divine Liturgy were led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, with concelebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archimandrites Ieronymos, Kallistos and Charalambos and Archdeacon Mark; singing was Mr. Alvanos and participants were members of the Greek Community of West Jerusalem.

After the Divine Liturgy the Service of the Adoration of the Sacred Cross followed, at the place where the Sacred Wood was found and around the Holy Monastery. The feast ended by a festal reception offered by Archimandrite Klavdios to the Archbishop and his Entourage and the congregation at the hegoumeneion.

From Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/sIU6wfmoKGM

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On the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, 6th/19th March 2017, the feast of the Adoration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross was celebrated by the Patriarchate, as established by the Church, so that by the Sacred Cross of Christ, through which we have been saved and deified, the faithful are strengthened in their struggle of fasting, in order to reach the Holy Easter, meaning the participation in the Cross and Resurrection of the Lord.

The celebration was observed according to the rules of the Typikon of the Church.

1. In the Evening

The Service began with the reading of the 9th Hour at the Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos at 1:45pm on Saturday. At 2:00pm, bells tolling, the descend to the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection followed. Upon arrival, the veneration of the Deposition Shrine and the Holy Sepulchre took place, by His Beatitude, the Archbishops and Hieromonks.

Once His Beatitude put on His mantle, went to the Catholicon and gave the blessing, the bells started tolling, while the Archbishops and the members of the Synod venerated the Horrendous Golgotha and the deacons performed the incense procedure around the shrines.

Great Vespers began immediately, with the Great Entrance and the Blessing of Bread, at the singing of the Choir Leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos on the right, and Mr. Alvanos on the left, at the presence of many contrite and pious faithful people.

At the end of Vespers, the Patriarchal Entourage headed for the Patriarchate.

2. On the Day of the Feast

At 7:00am on Sunday, the Patriarchal Entourage left the Patriarchate and reaching the Church of the Resurrection, venerated the Holy Deposition and the Holy Sepulchre. His Beatitude then blessed everybody at the Catholicon and the bells started tolling while the Priests received the blessing by His Beatitude. His Beatitude also prayed to receive the blessing and entering the Holy Altar the brotherly osculation among the Archbishops followed. Having ended this procedure, the Divine Liturgy began at the Holy Sepulchre, led by His Beatitude. Concelebrants were the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Capitolias, the Most Reverend Archbishops, Theophanis of Gerassa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebastia, Demetrios of Lydda, Nectarios of Anthedon, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis and the visiting Bishop Innocent of the Moscow Patriarchate, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos. Singing were the Choir Leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos on the right, and Mr. Alvanos on the left, at the presence of a big crowd of praying faithful from Greece, Russia, Romania and Cyprus.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the procession around the Holy Sepulchre and the Shrines began, led by the Sacred Cross with the Sacred Wood, with the singing of the festal troparia of the day.

Upon ending the procession, the Patriarchal Entourage returned to the Patriarchate where His Beatitude gave the following address:

“In Paradise of old the tree stripped me bare; for by giving me its fruit to eat, the enemy brought in death. But now the Tree of the Cross that clothes men with the garment of life has been set up on earth, and the whole world is filled with boundless joy. Beholding it venerated, O ye people, let us with one accord raise in faith our cry to God: His house is full of glory.”

Your Excellency Consul General of Greece Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos,

Reverend Holy Fathers and Brothers,

Noble Christians and pilgrims,

Today the Holy Church of Christ and all the world with it, are filled with joy because the image of the life-giving Cross of our Saviour Jesus Christ has been seen to be venerated.

Today, the hymn writer says, “The Church is revealed as a second Paradise, having a tree of life, as the first Paradise of old: by touching Your Cross, O Lord, we share in immortality!”

The significance of the Sacred Cross in the salvific mystery of Divine Providence has been vividly expressed by the former prosecutor of the Cross, the Great Apostle Paul who says: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14).

Interpreting these words, St. Chrysostom says: “And what is the boasting for the Cross? That Christ took upon Himself the form of a slave, and suffered so much, for me the slave, the enemy, the ungrateful; but so much He loved me, that He even gave up Himself for me.”

In other words, the crucified passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is precisely what made the world enter into the infinite love of God, peace, righteousness, reconciliation, but also condemnation, according to the witness of St. John the Theologian: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). And the light that has come into the world is no other but the word of the Cross, for which St. Paul says:“ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

To this power of the Sacred Cross we become partakers my dear brothers and sisters, through the veneration of the Wood of Life, in this very place where our Saviour Christ was Crucified and Resurrected.

Spiritually embracing the power of the Live-giving Cross today, we are called to continue the good striving of abstinence. Let us therefore say together with the hymn writer: “What shall we offer You, Christ, for You have given us Your precious Cross to venerate: where Your holy blood was shed, and Your flesh was fixed by nails: we kiss it with love, giving thanks to You!” Amen.

Wishing you many happy returns and a happy Easter.”

All the above mentioned services were broadcast live by the Jerusalem Patriarchate radio station.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Okn10_5NbLg

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