On Wednesday, June 25/July 8, 2020, H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos awarded the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus Mrs. Thessalia Siambou with the medal of the Grand Commander of the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

As His Beatitude said, this honorary distinction was given to Mrs. Siambou in recognition of her conscious, devoted and right support and protection of the just and well understood interests of her homeland in the State of Israel and of her conscientious and good cooperation with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and of her support to the protection of its rights regarding the shrines in the Holy Land.

Thanking His Beatitude for His wise advice to her understanding the Status Quo of Jerusalem, the retired Ambassador in Israel Mrs. Siambou promised the continuation of her diplomatic work in her country with zeal and precision.

His Beatitude wished Mrs. Siambou the Grace of the Holy Sepulchre, Which she respected so much during her five-year diplomatic position here, and the success in her higher placement in her country.

From Secretariat-General

On June 19/July 2, 2020, H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos awarded the ministering Priest of St. James the Brother of God’s Cathedral Fr. Hader Baramki with the offikion of the Cross Bearer, in recognition of his studious priestly and pastoral ministry, in order to encourage him for its continuation.

The honoured Priest thanked His Beatitude saying that through the Sacred Cross he is strengthened to continue his ministry.

From Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, June 10/23, 2020, the School of Zion students with the Managing Director Archimandrite Mattheos and the Boarding School Manager Hierodeacon Simeon visited our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, at the end of the School Year, with God’s grace despite the COVID-19, and asked His blessing to visit their parents in Greece.

In this meeting His Beatitude advised the students to follow the safety precautions against the virus and enjoy their vacation with their families, and return at the end of the summer for the continuation of their studies at the School.  

The Managing Director of the School and the students thanked His Beatitude for the interest of the Patriarchate in their education.

From Secretariat-General

On Monday morning, June 9/22, 2020, H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos decorated Mr. Sibli Anastas, a distinguished member of the Community of Bethlehem with the medal of the Cross Bearer of the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

This honorary distinction was given to Mr. Anastas, as His Beatitude said, “in return of his donation, namely his devoted offering to the Holy Sepulchre and the Patriarchate.

His Beatitude offered Mr. Sibli and his respected wife a pectoral cross, in order to protect and safeguard them in health, strength and every blessing.

From Secretariat-General

On Tuesday evening, June 3-16, 2020, His Excellency the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, while being on Israel on a business trip, escorted by his wife Mrs. Mareva Mitsotaki, and their son, by a group of his associates among whom the Minister of Energy Mr. Kostas Chatzidakis, the Ambassador of Greece in Israel Mr. Sarris, the former Consul General in Jerusalem Mrs. Eleni Sourani and the current Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos and Mrs. Tzima.

The Prime Minister was welcomed at the Gate of the Patriarchate by His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos along with Hagiotaphite Fathers and guided him at the Holy Sepulchre, the Horrendous Golgotha and finally at the Office of the Church of the Resurrection, where He addressed him as follows;

“Your Excellency, Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis,

The Venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and We personally rejoice especially on the presence of Your Excellency amongst us during this veneration at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the Horrendous Golgotha and the All-holy Tomb of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ lie.

The deep bond between our nation and the Holy Sepulchre is proven by the inscription therein, which writes “those who resurrected the noble and royal Nation of the Rum Orthodox”.

Mr. Prime Minister, your visit at the State of Israel and in the Holy City of Jerusalem has a special meaning for the Christians who live herein, and of course for those who live within the territory of the Palestinian Authority and in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

And we say this, because  as it is known, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, also know as Rum Orthodox,  is the guarantee on the one hand of the Christians’ identity, and on the other, of the threatened Christian character of the Old City of Jerusalem.

In its spiritual and ecclesiastical mission, the Patriarchate continues tirelessly its pastoral care throughout the centuries, a care that is not restricted only to the preservation and safekeeping of the holy shrines, monuments, monasteries and Churches, but also to the field of education with especial emphasis in the operation of Schools and other social or charitable foundations.

The consequences of the universal crisis of the coronavirus plague are already visible and quite serious. However, the interest of the Greek government and of you personally, Mr. Prime Minister, in practice and in various ways, is doubtless and for granted, therefore we also hope in the consideration of our Patriarchate by you and your Government.

Expressing the warm thanks of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and Us personally, we wish success in your mission here, and a good outcome of your hard efforts for the prevailing of peace and the progress and the prosperity of the peoples of the Mediterranean and of the tested Middle East.

Please accept this commemorative medal, which was created on the restoration of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre by the National Technical University of Athens in 2017.”

Emotional, the Prime Minister thanked His Beatitude for His kind words and for the honour during his visit at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and added: “a visit in Jerusalem without visiting the Holy Sepulchre is without substance” and offered His Beatitude a silver platter in remembrance of his visit.

His Beatitude offered the Prime Minister a symbolic commemorative medal which was made on the restoration of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre and symbolic souvenirs from Jerusalem for his companions.

Concluding, the Prime Minister thanked His Beatitude for His address, the presents, and asked His blessing for the success of the mission of the Government with the reassurance that the Greek Government will always be a supporter of the mission of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

From Secretariat-General

“As our brothers and sisters around the world celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Gregorian calendar, today in the Orthodox Church it is Palm Sunday. Although on that first Palm Sunday the children and crowds did not realize the true power of the king they praised, both Palm Sunday and Easter Day are celebrations of Christ triumphant, king and victor over sin and death. Around the world today, whether Orthodox Palm Sunday or Western Easter, our celebrations are overshadowed by a pandemic that keeps worshippers at home. Many are suffering; many are frightened. Such experiences are part of our humanity. The events of Holy Week remind us that our Lord, Jesus Christ, who was perfect human and perfect God, also experienced fear, suffering and great pain. But Easter is the victory of God over these evil powers, the hope of the light of resurrection, and the promise of eternal life.

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6

As followers of Christ, we are called to share in that victory and spread hope, which is why we have set up the ‘Easter Hope’ appeal, to provide for our communities and for families here in the Holy Land suffering hardship because of this situation. We assure you of our continued prayers, and convey our heartfelt solidarity with all of you. Amidst all of our suffering, may the light of the resurrection, the victory and the hope, enlighten you minds and warm your hearts in these blessed celebrations on this holy today.”

Christ is Risen! He is indeed Risen.

On Wednesday afternoon, March 5/18, 2020, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos honoured the Senior Administrator of the Non-Jewish Communities of the Ministry of Interior of Israel, Mr. Yacub Salame with the award of the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of his good co-operation from this position for seventeen years, and for his quite important help on pilgrimage and other related issues of the Patriarchate and of the other Christian Churches of Jerusalem.

In this honorary distinction, His Beatitude was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Priest Simeon and Archdeacon Mark, as well as the representatives of the State of Israel, Mr. Bahij Mansour and Mr. Caesar Marjie.

Mr. Yacub Salame thanked His Beatitude for the good cooperation which has been initiated by Him, and for the honorary distinction, and promised to continue his support on all matters related to peace and reconciliation and for the common good.

From Secretariat-General

Following the initiative for dialogue and reconciliation announced by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III in November 2019, the Amman Fraternal Familial Gathering was hosted today in the capital of Jordan, with attendance of Primates and Delegations from various Orthodox churches. The purpose of the gathering was to renew dialogue and promote unity between brothers within the Orthodox Communion.

On the conclusion of the gathering, the Primates and Delegates issued the following statement:

The Amman Fraternal Familial Gathering of the Orthodox Primates and Delegates.

Dialogue and Unity

February 25-27/2020   –   Amman-Jordan

Press Release

On February 26, 2020, a meeting of Primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches was held in Amman, Jordan, with the primary view of unity and reconciliation within Holy Orthodoxy. The participants noted their understanding of the anguish of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the imminent danger of schism within our Orthodox Communion.

Participating in the meeting were delegations of: the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem led by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, the Russian Orthodox Church led by His Holiness Patriarch Cyril of Moscow and All Russia, the Serbian Orthodox Church led by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, the Romanian Orthodox Church led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste, the Polish Orthodox Church led by His Eminence Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chełm, and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

The participants expressed their gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Hashemite Custodian of the Christian and Muslim Holy Places in the Holy Land and to the people of Jordan for facilitating the hosting of this gathering in their capital city, Amman, noting His Majesty’s outstanding work in promoting interfaith dialogue internationally.

The participants also thanked the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos for all the relentless efforts aimed at paving the way for dialogue and bringing brothers together in the precious spirit of unity, noting that the light that emanates from Jerusalem stands as a witness to that Holy City which continuously proclaims its multi-faith and multicultural tapestry rejoicing in its existence as the warm home for the three Abrahamic faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

The delegations declared that this gathering was to strengthen the fraternal bonds between brothers and their churches, to promote the bonds of peace in Christ among them, to advocate for the unity of the Orthodox churches, and to renew dialogue in the prayerful hope of bringing reconciliation where there has been discord.

In the atmosphere of fraternal love, those gathered for the meeting agreed that decisions concerning issues of Orthodox-wide importance, including the granting of autocephaly to particular Churches, should be finalised in a spirit of pan-Orthodox dialogue and unity, and with pan-Orthodox consensus.

Concerning the current ecclesiastical situation in the Ukraine the participants also recognised that a pan-Orthodox dialogue is necessary for healing and reconciliation.

In the matter concerning North Macedonia, the delegations stated that this matter is to be solved through dialogue within the Serbian Orthodox Church and with pan-Orthodox support.

Regarding Montenegro, the participating delegations urged the relevant authorities to respect and uphold the fundamental right of ownership of property including that of the Church.

The delegations agreed that they should gather as brothers, preferably before the end of this year, to strengthen the bonds of fellowship through prayer and dialogue. The participants hope that His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with his known seniority of honour (πρεσβεία τιμήs) will join this dialogue along with his brother Primates.

The delegations embraced the call of their brother Patriarch Theophilos III to hold a prayer for the world, for an end to war, sickness and suffering, and for all the Christians as well as for the unity of the Orthodox Church. This prayer is to be held in the Mother Church, the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) in Jerusalem, before the Holy Tomb of Christ, from which He rose and proclaims peace to the world.

From Secretariat-General

In Amman, Jordan, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, welcomed the Primates of the Orthodox Churches of Russia, Serbia and Czech Lands and Slovakia, and representatives of the Orthodox Churches of Romania and Poland, for the Amman Fraternal Familial gathering of Orthodox Primates and Delegates. The gathering has been called to initiate dialogue and work for unity and reconciliation within the Orthodox Communion.

At a welcoming dinner, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III said:

“Your Holiness,

Your Beatitudes,

Your Eminences,

Beloved Brothers in Christ,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we assemble here from around the Orthodox world in the spiritual territory of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in our beloved Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, we welcome you warmly to our home for this gathering of brothers and concelebrants in the Lord.

We are deeply mindful of the words of the Psalmist, who reminds us;

How very good and pleasant it is
   when brethren live together in unity!
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,

(Psalm 133 [134]:1,3)

It is indeed good and pleasant for us to be here, so that we may enjoy the valuable privilege of fraternal dialogue, in which hearts may speak to hearts, and where we renew our commitment and fraternal bonds.   With God’s help, tomorrow our work begins.

As we are blessed with this time together, in addition to welcoming all of you, we wish to acknowledge His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Hashemite custodian of the Muslim and Christian Holy Places in the Holy Land, under whose gracious auspices and with whose encouragement this fraternal gathering is taking place. 

Allow us to raise our cup and propose a warm toast to His Majesty and the Hashemite family.

Once again, we thank you, and you’re most welcome.   We wish you a pleasant stay here in our home, and we are looking forward to our fraternal work.”

The Primates and delegates will meet today in private for fraternal fellowship and dialogue.

From Secretariat-General

On Friday morning, February 1/14, 2020, Dr. Joseph Patrick, Professor of the University of Haifa and Jerusalem in Archaeology,  who has studied in depth the life of our Holy Father Savvas the Sanctified and is the writer of the book “Sabs the Leader of the Palestine Monasticism” by Dumbarton Oacks publications, offered His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos the book which hs been published in His honour with the title: “BETWEEN SEA AND DESSERTS: ON KINGS, NOMADS, CITIES AND MONKS”, by Orit Peleg-Barkat, Jakob Ashkenazi, Uzi Leibner, Mordehai Aviam, and Rina Talgam.

His Beatitude thanked Dr. Patrick for his studious work on the life of St. Savvas and wished him strength in his research.

Simultaneously, His Beatitude received His Eminence Metropolitan Cyril of Ekaterinenburg, whom He had visited two years ago in his Metropolis with a group of His clergy.

From Secretariat-General