On Saturday noon, 18th March/1st April 2017, the Captain and the Crew of the Frigate “Limnos”, the Captain and the Crew of the Rocket Launcher “Krystallidis” and the Captain and the Crew of the Submarine “Pontos”, altogether a team of 200 members, under the Defense Attache of Greece in Tel Aviv Colonel Mr. Vassilios Brouman, visited His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. The team was warmly received by His Beatitude and received His Blessing for their work on protecting our country and then they headed for the veneration of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Sepulchre of the Lord.

From Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/dh801So_cMs

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On Tuesday 15th/28th March 2017, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos awarded the Ambassador of Ukraine in Jerusalem Mr. Gennadii Nadolenko with the medal of the Grand Commander of the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, for his leave to retirement.

His Beatitude offered this honorary distinction to the Ukrainian Ambassador for his beneficiary work towards his country and the Church of Ukraine as well as for his noteworthy cooperation with the Patriarchate during his diplomatic service.

Mr. Nadolenko thanked His Beatitude for this honorary distinction and committed to continue in the service of peace for both his country and the Church.  
From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/CklSzwQHm58

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The celebration ceremony for the anniversary of 25th March 1821, was transferred on Monday afternoon 14th/27th March 2017, at the Patriarchal School of Zion.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos together with Hagiotaphite Fathers, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Chairman of the School Board Elder Sacristan Most Reverend Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, the member of the School Board Dragouman Archimandrite Mattheos, at the presence of His Excellency the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, Consul Mr. Koenis, members of the Greek Consulate, Hagiotaphite Fathers and members of the Greek Community.

At this humble ceremony the School students presented the feast with an introductory speech by the School Director Mr. Souliotis, patriotic songs, parts of plays related to the feast, the festal speech of the day by the teacher of the School Reverend Hieromonk from St. Savvas’ Monastery Fr. Euphrosynos, while intermitted documentaries were displayed on screen.

With all the above, the students made the audience recall the sufferings of our nation by the Turkish occupation and the fall of Constantinople in the year 1453, with the following persecutions, exiles, imprisonments and enslavement until the year 1821, when the Greek Revolution began led by Palaion Patron Germanos. This was followed by the unparalleled brave fights of our fathers from Soulion, Messologi, those of Papaflessas, Kolokotronis and others, until the liberation in 1832, when the Greek Country was proclaimed to be free again.

For the evoked to the audience feelings of national pride, His Beatitude and the Consul General congratulated the acting students, the School teachers and the School Director Mr. Souliotis, and wished them all the best for the continuation of their educational work.

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

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On Tuesday evening 8th/21st March 2017, the President of the Democratic Party Mrs. Fofi Gennimata visited the Patriarchate as part of her trip to Jerusalem in order to participate at the ceremony of the completion of the restoration project of the Sacred Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, on Wednesday 9th/22nd March 2017, escorted by her husband and associates, and the Professor of the N.T.U.A. Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou.

Mrs. Gennimata and her escorts were received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, together with Hagiotaphite Fathers, the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew, and Fr. Nikitas.

At this visit, Mrs Gennimata expressed her strong impression at the sight of the ongoing restoration project of the Sacred Edicule, and congratulated His Beatitude for both the undertaking and the success of this initiative, while His Beatitude expressed his joy on the completion of the project, despite the intervening difficulties, occasionally stemming even from Christian communities; He also said that this project conveys a message for reconciliation, peace and love.

In remembrance of this visit, His Beatitude offered Mrs. Gennimata a pectoral cross and an icon of the Holy Edicule for success at her activities by the grace of the Holy Sepulchre.

From Secretariat-General

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On Friday evening, 25th February/10th March 2017, the actor Mr. Richard Gere visited the Patriarchate escorted by two people known to him and the Patriarchate, Mr. Jamal Narsi and Mr. Zahi Houri.

Mr. Richard Gere was received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with Hagiotaphite Fathers, the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarhos of Constantina Geronda Secretary-General, the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew and Archdeacon Mark.

At this visit, His Beatitude conversed with Mr. Richard Gere on the stages of the Orthodox ascesis: repentance, purification, enlightenment and deification. Mr. Gere expressed Dalai Lama’s appreciation and respect to His Beatitude, and His Beatitude said that He had met Dalai Lama in the past.

His Beatitude also told Mr. Gere, that for the Orthodox Church, man is the “great wound” which is being healed by the Church through the sacraments experienced in it by our Lord Jesus Christ who has taken upon Himself all human nature with His incarnation.

His Beatitude also mentioned Mr. John Tleel’s book “I am Jerusalem”, in which the writer proves that the Patriarch of Jerusalem is the successor of the Patriarchs of the Old Testament, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. Moreover, His Beatitude said that the Church of the Resurrection is the holiest shrine of Christianity where followers of all religions come, indiscriminately and unceasingly.

As a souvenir of this visit, His Beatitude offered Mr. Gere an icon of Theotokos, an icon of the Holy Sepulchre and a medal of the 2000 years of Christianity, and the emblem “Guards of the Tomb” (Φ.Τ) of the Patriarchate. Mr. Gere thanked warmly His Beatitude for receiving him and for His blessings and gifts.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/rgfwiuorjjU

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On Ash Tuesday evening, 15th/28th February 2017, a three-member Delegation of Ministers visited the Patriarchate. They were, Mr. Christos Karagiannidis (Head of the Greek Delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO), Mr. Marios Salmas and Mr. Andreas Loverdos, who have been participating in the common meeting of the special Team for the Mediterranean & Middle East, together with the Committee of Science and Technology of the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO. This Parliamentary team was escorted to the Patriarchate by the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos.

The Parliamentary team was received by His Beatitude with the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Dragouman Archimandrite Mattheos, the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew and Archdeacon Mark.

In the agenda of the meeting there was an interesting conversation on the existing unstable political situation in Jerusalem and the counterpoising role of the Patriarchate as a religious organization which preaches appeasement, reconciliation, righteousness and peace, and exists as a reference point for the identity and the protection of the Christians, being an institution with a long and rich religious and cultural tradition.

On the occasion of this visit, the Delegation offered His Beatitude a copy of the Museum Benaki medal with a depiction of the tree of life, while His Beatitude offered each of them an icon of Theotokos of Jerusalem and the Holy Edicule and a medal of the 2000 years of Christianity.
From Secretariat-General

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On Ash Tuesday evening, 15 th/28th February 2017, the Minister of Foreign affairs of Moldavia Mr. Andrei Galbur, visited the Patriarchate, escorted by the present Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign affairs and ex Consul of Moldavia in Israel Mr. Anatoli Vangeli, by another associate of his and the present Consul of Moldavia in Israel.

His Excellency the Minister and his escort were warmly received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, together with Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew, and Archdeacon Mark.

On this visit, the Minister expressed his happiness on the occasion of his visit in the Holy Land and the Patriarchate, which is not only for political but also for religious purposes.

His Beatitude related especially to the love and support of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions and the co-existence of Christians with Muslims since the time “Achtiname” which was written between the memorable Patriarch of Jerusalem Sophronios and Caliph Omar Khattab, and to the work of the Patriarchate in it, and the property that the Patriarchate owned in Moldavia.

On the occasion of this visit, the Minister offered His Beatitude an old Menaion in Slavonic for the Central Library of the Patriarchate, while His Beatitude offered Mr. Andrei Galbur and his associates an icon of the Theotokos and the Holy Edicule and a medal of the 2000 years of the Patriarchate history.
From Secretariat-General

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On Friday evening, 11th/24th February 2017, a fifteen-member team of the Christian humanitarian United Church of Christ Organization visited the Patriarchate, headed by the Executive in Middle East and Europe, Mr. Peter Makari.

This Christian humanitarian team, which actively supports the Syrian refuges in Jordan and other countries, among which is Greece, was warmly received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, with Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, at the presence of the Professor of the N.T.U. Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou.

Within the agenda of the meeting, His Beatitude praised this team’s actions towards the refugees, which is in cooperation with the Patriarchate Office in Jordan under the Management of Mrs. Wafaa Ksous, and related to the contribution of the Patriarchate in the sustaining of the existence and the identity of the Christians, as well as the protection of the Holy Shrines as Christendom artefacts, peaceful meeting points for all religions, and a protecting shield for the existence and identity of the Christians who are being persecuted in many places of the Middle East.

Being present, Mrs. Moropoulou mentioned the preservative and renovating project of the Holy Edicule and its worldwide appeal.

The above mentioned activists of peace and support to those in need, thanked His Beatitude for his help and hearing and repeated their commitment to cooperate with the Patriarchate for the help of the refugees in the Middle East region and in Europe.

From Secretariat-General

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On Thursday, 10th/ 23rd February 2017, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos honoured with the distinguished honour of the Cross bearer of the Holy Sepulchre the President of the Middle East Hilton Hotels, Mr. Rudi S.K. Iagersbacher, in recognition of his piety and support to the Patriarchate.

Deeply touched, Mr. Rudi thanked His Beatitude and promised to continue his support towards the Patriarchate.

From Secretariat-General

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On Tuesday evening, 8th/21st February 2017, the ceremony on the refurbishment of the Anglican Church of the Saviour took place in Acre.

This Church has its origin in the 19^th century, since the establishment of the Anglican Church in the Holy Land, and it serves the needs of the English Community in Acre and the surrounding area.

His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos was invited to this ceremony by the Anglican Commissioner in Jerusalem Reverend Souheil Dawani. With His Beatitude also were, the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Acre Archimandrite Philotheos and Orthodox and Arab-speaking Priests from the area of Acre. His Beatitude’s address is as follows:

21 February, 2017

Your Eminence Archbishop Suheil,

Dear Father Hosam,

Your Eminences,

Your Graces,

Reverend Fathers,

Dear Friends,

As we gather for this blessed occasion, we recall the words of Saint Paul:

“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

And in the Psalms we read:

“Bring to the Lord Glory and honour. Bring to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in His Holy Court” (Psalm 28, 29:1-2).
Worship is at the heart of the Abrahamic traditions. We say that those who wish to understand the faith and life of the Christian Church must begin by experiencing worship. For worship of the Divine, which is the source of one’s existence, is an inherent act of the human soul.“Indeed, in Christian tradition, the proper relationship between the created and the creator is best expressed through the relationship of worship. In every assembly of worship, Christians express their understanding of the nature of the Incarnate Logos, i.e. our Lord Jesus Christ, and of humanity’s relationship with Him.”

It is in this way that we experience the unity of heaven and earth. It is in the Divine Eucharist that we also experience the unity between divinity and humanity. In fact, the Divine Eucharist, which is reasonable worship, i.e. Logiki Latreia, in Greek, is a foretaste of deification, i.e. eternal life.

We are honoured to be present today, Archbishop Suheil, as you re-dedicate this church in Acre. Acre is an ancient city in which the witness of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim worship been manifest for millennia. Indeed, it has become a mosaic of ethnic and religious communities, all which synthesize this harbor. Acre embraces its Jewish, Christian and Muslim civilizations as part of our present, living tradition.

Our active, functioning churches here are an essential part of this vibrant, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious landscape, where both an ancient indigenous Christian community and pilgrims from all over the world give testimony to the essential Christian character of the Holy Land.

The restoration of this Church of Saint Saviour, after more than a quarter of a century during which it has been closed, is an important witness to this long tradition of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and to the fundamental role of places of worship and prayer. By restoring this church to the use of the Anglican diocese, you are emphasizing the life of the diverse Christian martyria, and you are making a unique contribution to the long and unbreakable character and destiny of this city.

If Jerusalem is the spiritual capital of the world, then Acre is surely the spiritual gateway to the Holy Land. For centuries pilgrims would alight here on their way to Jerusalem, and from Acre they would return to their homelands, having been refreshed by the spiritual blessings of the Holy Places. The Rum Orthodox Church of Saint George and the underground Church of Saint Nicholas are also living testimony that we are not newcomers, but we Christians are an organic part of the fabric of this Holy Land.

We would like to take this opportunity, Your Grace, to commend you for your pastoral zeal, and for the great effort that you have made in restoring this church. Your deep commitment to the Christian presence in the Holy Land, your attentive care for your flock and for the many Anglican pilgrims who come to our region every year, as well as your clear support for Anglican institutions, including schools and hospitals that serve not only the members of the Anglican Church, but all peoples of our region without distinction, are an inspiration.

As a sign of the long-standing and important relationship between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, and between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Anglican diocese, we wish to present to Saint Saviour’s Church this icon of the Resurrection for the veneration of the faithful. May it be a sign of hope that shines forth from the Holy Tomb of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. After all, the Church of Jerusalem is first and foremost the community of the Resurrection.

May God bless you, Your Grace, Archbishop Suheil. And may God bless this city of Acre and our beloved Holy Land, for we consider this initiative to be a major contribution on behalf of both the Christian community and the local authorities to promoting peace, reconciliation, and mutual respect, which are the fruits of harmony.

Thank you.