On Tuesday, the 16^th/29^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite and Hieromartyr at Jacob’s Well, the site of his martyrdom.

Hailing from Orounta, Cyprus, St Philoumen, Hagiotaphite since a young age, was serving as hegumen at Jacob’s Well when, in 1979, he was attacked by a fanatic Jew and suffered death at the chapel near the Well.

He was canonized by the Church of Jerusalem in 2009, on the site where the Lord had revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman. His relic is kept at the chapel dedicated to his name, to the south of St Photini Church, built by the hegumen, Hieromonk Ioustinos. To the north side of the church, a chapel has been attached, dedicated to St Ioustinos, philosopher and martyr from Nablus.

The divine Liturgy was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia and Hagiotaphite Hieromonks such as Archimandrites Ignatios and Mathew, and Hierodeacons Markos and Demetrios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, Arabic, Russian and Romanian, whilst the Choir of the Community of Raffidia sang in Arabic. The service was attended by a pious congregation from Greece, Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Cyprus.

During His sermon, Patriarch Theophilos said Hieromartyr Philoumenos had, since childhood, listened to the biddings of St Paul, saying: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12, 1-2).

“If we wish to receive the light of the Gospel’s glory”, the Patriarch said, “we must conform to Christ in His death, participate in His persecutions and sufferings, so that we somehow attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3, 11).

“In other words”, His Beatitude said, “without temptation, trials and adversities, it is impossible for us to become worthy of the salvation of our souls” and went on to add that the memory of the holy martyrs calls us to realize that a Christian’s way of life is not of this world but must be inspired from the words of our God and Saviour, Christ.

In Arabic, the Patriarch’s sermon can be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/30/25767

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the hegumen hosted guests to a reception followed by monastic lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PlzyZEuCz44

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of November 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed the consecration ceremony for St George the Great Martyr Church of the Rum Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community in the town of Peki’in, Northern Israel, that falls under the Bishopric of Acre.

Built over recent years, the Church was decorated on the economic and moral subvention of the Patriarchate so as to serve the veneration needs of the aforementioned community, in light of the narrowness of the earlier Church.

His Beatitude led the divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrite Mathew, the Master-of-Ceremonies, f. Bartholomew, and Hierodeacon Markos, as well as the church priest, f. Athanasios, and Arabic-speaking priests from adjacent towns. Archimandrite Philotheos, Patriarchal Commissioner in Accra sang for the Orthodox congregation of the parish.

During His sermon, Patriarch Theophilos referred to the words of the Evangelist John: 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) and “out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given (John 1, 16).

“In truth”, His Beatitude said, “the Church of Christ, disseminated across the entire world, offers the bloodless sacrifice, namely the symbols of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ in altars consecrated by Christ”. “Christ”, Patriarch Theophilos added, “entered the House of God, namely heavenly Church, through the curtain that is His own flesh and blood, according to St Paul: Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body (Hebrews 10, 19).

Patriarch Theophilos also spoke of St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, faithful friend of the Arch-Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and His emulator par excellence.

In Arabic, the sermon can be reached here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/26/25685

A great crowd participated in the Holy Communion, receiving the Patriarch’s blessing after the apolysis.

Patriarch Theophilos offered an icon of St George for the new Church.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Community hosted His Beatitude to lunch, during which He spoke in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/26/25687

Patriarch Theophilos then offered Church Commissioner Soukri the amount of 25.000 shekel for the completion of the decoration of the Church.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/V0R8iKOZuG0

On Monday, the 8^th/21^st of November 2016, the Patriarchate commemorated the Gathering of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all celestial powers, namely the nine Orders, Authorities, Virtues, Dominions, Thrones, Powers, Cherubim, Seraphim, Archangels and Angels.

The feast pays tribute to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all bodiless powers for opposing the fallen Lucifer and for performing the work assigned to them by God for the help and salvation of mankind.

The feast was celebrated in the Christian quarter of the Holy City, opposite the Monastery of the Archangels. Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were led by His Eminence Benedict, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who had as concelebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, headed by Archimandrite Mathew, and deacons. The left cantor at the Church of the Resurrection, Mr Alvanos, and pilgrim Georgios Papanikolaou sang for a crowd of Greek-speaking, Arabic-speaking and Russian-speaking pilgrims.

After the divine Liturgy, the hegumen and renovator of the Monastery, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, hosted Primates and the congregation to a reception at the hegumeneion.

The feast was also celebrated in Joppa, at the seaside historic Monastery of the Archangels, restored by the subvention of Archbishop Damascene of Joppa.

The divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, having as concelebrants: Archbishop Damascene of Joppa and Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, led by Archimandrite Nektarios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sand in Greek, Russian, Romanian and Arabic, whilst the Church Choir sang in Arabic for Russian-speaking, Romanian-speaking and Arabic-speaking pilgrims.

After the divine Liturgy, the hegumen hosted the Primates and others to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/-ONU6nKdzTA

httpv://youtu.be/bmu18I9A4LU

A.The meeting of H.B. the Patriarch of Jerusalem with H.H. the Patriarch of Moscow

Before moon on Saturday, the 6^th/19^th of November 2016, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Moscow and His Entourage met with His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow who was accompanied by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Metropolitan Sergei, Protopresbyter Nikolai Balasov and other clerics. Patriarch Kyrill expressed joy over the meeting, the first after the 2013 Joint Liturgy on the anniversary of the Russian’s baptismal. “Such meetings” He said, “solidify our unity, in spite of occasional differences. We welcome you with great joy as the Patriarch of the Holy City and the Holy Land, sanctified by the footsteps of Christ our Saviour. We welcome you from the land from where the Apostles left to proclaim the teachings of Christ across the earth”.

His Beatitude Theophilos replied that the meeting is indeed a special joy and honour bestowed by the Patriarchate of Moscow on the occasion of Patriarch Kyrill’s birthday. “This is particularly important”, His Beatitude added, “not only for strengthening the ties between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Church of Russia, but also for expressing the unity of the Church as a whole”.

The Russian people and the Russian Church have greatly benefitted the Holy Shrines, e.g. the Russian Church’s contribution, of 3.000.000 USD, to the restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. “The renovation”, said Patriarch Theophilos, “was effected through the Palestinian Autonomy, because of disagreement between the three Communities” and He added: “We, on our behalf, will restore the Cavern with the Franciscans, aspiring to Your interest in the subvention of the project”.

We thank our Triadic God for this project and for the fact that pilgrims from Russia and Ukraine keep supporting the Holy Lands, said Patriarch Theophilos. “These pilgrims reinforce the Christian regime and the Christian character of Jerusalem”, He said.

Patriarch Theophilos went on to invite Patriarch Kyrill to visit the Holy Land on the completion of works on the Basilica of the Nativity and of the restoration project of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre. He expressed joy over the recent visit of Prime Minister Medvedev and his interest in the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre.

On this subject, Patriarch Kyrill said He was recently informed by PM Medvedev that Russia will sponsor the renovation of the street that leads to the Basilica and of the forecourt of the Church.

Patriarch Kyrill also referred to a war of misinformation against the Church of Russia, that blames it for the absence of a total of four Churches from the Great Synod of Orthodoxy. Our absence, He said, was also due to strong critique against the text on the relation of the Orthodox Church with Christian Communities. “However”, Patriarch Kyrill said, “we are not negative against the Synod. Its approval by the consciousness of the Church will be proven in the future”, and He added: “We are looking forward to a future Pan-Orthodox Synod”.

Patriarch Kyrill also spoke of the crisis in Ukraine, a country “ruled by dictatorship that aims at destroying the Orthodox Church”, in His words.

In His response, Patriarch Theophilos said that the absence of the four Churches from the Great Synod had not damaged the unity of Orthodoxy, as the conference paved the way for a Pan-Orthodox Synod. With regards to the crisis in Ukraine, Patriarch Theophilos said that He recently met with the Ukrainian President at the Patriarchate where He stressed the need to restore church unity in the country before anything else.

On the occasion of the meeting, the two Patriarchs exchanged gifts.

On the evening of the same day, Patriarch Kyrill hosted all the Heads of the Orthodox Churches and their attendants to dinner.

There, Patriarch Theophilos delivered an address in English, see: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/19/27882

B. Joint Patriarchal Liturgy on the 70^th birthday of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow

On the morning of Sunday, the 7^th/20^th of November 2016, a Joint Primatial Liturgy was held on the occasion of the 70^th birthday of Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow.

All Churches participated in the Joint Liturgy, namely: the Ecumenical Patriarchate, represented by Metropolitan Emmanuel of France; the Patriarchate of Alexandria, with Patriarch Theodoros; the Patriarchate of Antioch, with Metropolitan Nephon; the Patriarchate of Serbia, with Patriarch Irinej; the Patriarchate of Bulgaria in Western Europe, the Patriarchate of Georgia, represented by Patriarch Elias of Georgia; the Church of Cyprus with Archbishop Chrysostomos; the Church of Poland, the Church of Romania, the Church of Greece, the Church of Albania, and the Church of the Czech Republic.

The Joint Liturgy was headed by Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and it expressed the Orthodox faith of all Orthodox Churches, in accordance with the Nicene Creed.

On the apolysis, Metropolitan Onouphrios of Ukraine read the message of Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow. Addresses then followed by other Churches, i.e. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and representatives of the state of Russia.

During the lunch that followed, His Beatitude Theophilos addressed Patriarch Kyrill in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/20/27885

On Sunday evening, His Beatitude left the Radisson hotel for Moscow airport, accompanied by Metropolitan Barsanuphius of Petersburg, Archbishop Tikhon of Austria-Hungary and Archimandrite Theophanes.

At the airport, the Patriarch and His attendants boarded a plane of Aeroflot airlines to land safely at Ben Gurion Airport around midnight.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate celebrated the translation of the relics of St George the Trophy Bearer in the city of Lydda.

The feast commemorates the translation of the holy relics of St George from Rome where he had suffered a martyr’s death to his mother’s birthplace in Lydda. The relics were then placed in a tomb upon which, between 326 and 336 AD, St Helen founded a magnificent Church that went on to serve as veneration centre for the Christian Community in Lydda. The city draws its origins from the years of the New Testament (Acts 9, 32).

Patriarchal Liturgy was held on the aforementioned day, led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had as concelebrants: Metropolitan Panteleimon of the Church of Xanthi, Greece; Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, and Metropolitan Theodosios, visiting from the Church of Russia; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, led by Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegumen in Fhes, as well as priests from Communities adjacent to Lydda, and deacons Agapios and Markos. A crowd of faithful from cities of Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy venerated the Tomb of St George, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, Russian and Arabic. Members of the Rum Orthodox Community of Lydda sang in Arabic in the presence of the Serbian Ambassador in Tel Aviv.

To the pious congregation, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, pointing out that when St George proclaimed himself a Christian in front of Diocletian and the Roman Parliament, he suffered cruel torture and a martyr’s death. “The saint’s desire”, said His Beatitude, “was neither emotional nor illusory. It was a fervent desire, moved by the enlightening power of faith in Christ, the light and truth of the world. “Whoever believes in me” said the Lord, “has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3, 36); and elsewhere: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mathew 16, 24-26).

“In other words”, Patriarch Theophilos added, “George’s desire for Christ was the desire to acquire freedom in Christ, freedom that relieves man of the worship of material and earthy things, whilst bringing out the magnificence of his soul”.

In Arabic, the Patriarch’s sermon can be reached here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/15/25377

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Nicodemus, hegumen at St George, hosted the Patriarchal Entourage at the hegumeneion, together with Ambassadors, the members of the Church Board, and others.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/izvyaFy95wk

On Wednesday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of the translation of the relics of St George the Trophy-Bearer, at the Monastery of St George ‘of the Hospital’ in the Old City of Jerusalem. Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were led by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda. The choir sang under Elder Nun Mariam Skorda.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Nun Pansemni hosted His Eminence and the congregation to a reception at the hegumeneion and the forecourt of the Church.

The feast was also observed at the Monastery of St George ‘of the Jewish’ through Vespers and the Divine Liturgy, led by Protopresbyter Nikitas and Hierodeacon Markos.

After the divine Liturgy, Elder Nun Anna hosted the Priest and the congregation to a reception at the hegumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/R1nlFt6Xbas

httpv://youtu.be/gn7hlP9MLQg

On Saturday, the 30^th of October/12^th of November 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, crossed the bridge of the River Jordan to arrive at the Patriarchate’s Bishopric in Amman, from where He left for the city of Mafraq, Northern Jordan.

The Patriarch was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrite Hieronymos, hegumen in Fhes, f. Issa Mousleh, and Hierodeacon Markos.

Nearing the city, His Beatitude was courteously greeted by a delegation of officials before being welcomed to the Church of the Dormition of Theotokos of the Mafrak Community, numbering approximately 120 families, by Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, Archimandrite Hieronymos, some twenty priests of adjacent parishes, the members of the Church Board and a crowd of faithful.

The Patriarch went on to lead panegyric Vespers before inaugurating a hall built on the subvention of the Patriarchate, to host several events organized by the Rum Orthodox Community.

During dinner hosted in the inaugurated hall, His Beatitude addressed attendants in Arabic, see: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/12/25264 and offered financial aid amounting to ten thousand dinars.

Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella extended thanks for the aid and for the Patriarch’s overall moral and material support, offering Him an enameled icon.

The following day, Sunday the 31^st of October/13^th of November 2016, a Joint Prelatic Liturgy was held in the aforementioned church, led by His Beatitude, who had as concelebrants: Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina and Philoumenos of Pella, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, local priests, Hierodeacon Markos and deacon Evangelos Psiaras. Attending the service was the Greek Ambassador to Jordan, Mr V. Bornovas. A choir of young men and women sang in Greek and Arabic for a large congregation.

Patriarch Theophilos preached the Word of God in Greek, referring to the wise and salvaging word of the Apostles, the Gospel of Christ’s Love. “This is the light”, the Patriarch said, “of Christ, the Sun of justice, we are called upon to put on, not the porphyry of the unjust rich man of today’s Evangelical pericope, indulging in material goods and looking down on impoverished Lazaros who had wished to feed on crumbs falling from the rich man’s table”.

To explain the pericope, the Patriarch spoke of man’s condition in this world and his condition in life after death, where his soul will be judged by the Son of God according to the testament of the Evangelist John: “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.  By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5, 26-30).

In Arabic, the sermon can be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/13/25262

After the Apolysis, the pious congregation venerated the Holy Cross, held by His Beatitude, and received the antidoron and an icon of Theotokos.

Patriarch Theophilos offered a Byzantine icon of Theotokos for the Church, and a pectoral cross for the priest, f. Demetrios Samai. An enameled icon of Theotokos was offered by the Community to His Beatitude.

During the reception that followed, the Patriarch offered financial blessings to the choir and to the Women’s Association.

At noon, His Beatitude and Entourage sat at lunch hosted in his honour by the Community.

On the way to Amman, Patriarch Theophilos was toured by a Jordan archaeologist to the ruins of two recently excavated Byzantine churches with mosaics and Greek inscriptions, in the Irhab area. From there, He left for the Bishopric of Amman from where He returned to Jerusalem, praising God for this visit.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 29^th of October/11^th of November 2016, the feast of St Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer was observed belatedly at St Demetrius church in Raffidia, at a short distance from Jacob’s well, in Nablus, Samaria.

In this church, built by the ever-memorable Patriarch Cyril circa 1850, Patriarch Theophilos led the divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrites Epiphanius and Leontios, Archdeacon Marcos and Hierodeacon Agapius. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, as cantors sang in Arabic on the left. Parishioners, a minority within a Muslim population, observed mass in piety.

To the pious congregation, His Beatitude delivered a sermon in Greek, quoting the Evangelical pericope of the day: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15, 26-27).

“This testament”, Patriarch Theophilos said, “that ‘you have been with me from the beginning’, is fervently proclaimed by the Church of Christ, constituted and held together by the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, namely the Spirit of God and Christ our Saviour”.

St Demetrius, His Beatitude added, imitated Christ’s life-giving passion, from which he drew the energy of miracles and the enlightening power to teach the Gospel’s message, but also to heal diseases.

“Let us all beseech St Demetrius”, Patriarch Theophilos concluded, “through the mediation of Theotokos and all other saints, to guard us from danger and grief”.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the hegumen and church board hosted His Beatitude and Entourage to lunch at the hegumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/yK-pz2JFZXM

On Tuesday, the 26^th of October/8^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of the glorious great martyr, St Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the Myrrh-Streamer, at the chapel dedicated to his name, that stands between the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and St Demetrius School which, for more than half a century, had housed the Patriarchal Hieratical School that educated most Hagiotaphites, and now houses an Arabic-speaking School from Pre-school to the Lyceum.

In commemoration of St Demetrius who had glorified Christ through his martyrdom, Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were led by the Secretary of the Holy and Great Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, who had as concelebrants Archimandrites Sergios and Mathew, f. Charalambos-Farah Bantour, and Hierodeacons Demetrios and Agapios. Patriarchal School students sang, whilst students from the Arabic-speaking Patriarchal School attended the service, alongside monks, nuns and pious pilgrims.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood attended a modest celebratory event hosted by the students in honour of St Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/K85e1IMQ4ds

httpv://youtu.be/xNVBsCq58Tw

On the day after St James feast, Sunday, the 24^th of October/6^th of November 2016, Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were held at the Chapel of the Forty Martyrs within St James church, in commemoration of the church’s proprietors, the ever-memorable Patriarchs of Jerusalem, many of whom lie within the Chapel. The service was led by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste, having as concelebrants f. Charalambos/Farah Bantour and deacon Agapios, for the Arabic-speaking faithful of Jerusalem’s Rum Orthodox Community.

A memorial service for the departed Patriarchs was performed before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

From the Secretariat-General