On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 8^th/21^st of December 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in order to inspect restoration works carried out there, particularly on the northern side of the Narthex where, at the expenses of the Hieron Koinon, the Office and reception hall have been restored. His Beatitude was welcomed by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, and the city’s Police Director, Muhammad Abu Rub. His Beatitude was accompanied by Archbishop Theophylaktos along the restored sites, then addressed by the Chief of Palestinian Police, Hazim Atallah and Bethlehem’s Administrator, Ala Salabi. The Chief thanked the Patriarch for helping the police and pointed out their harmonious collaboration with Archbishop Theophylaktos for the good of the City, praising the work the latter carries out in Bethlehem with the Patriarch’s blessings.

Patriarch Theophilos, on His turn, thanked Mr Atallah and Mr Salabi for their collaboration with the Patriarchate and especially for the help they provide to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. He then praised the Archbishop of Jordan for his initiative to restore the site and wished that the Police continue to work earnestly for the safety of the Church and the service of the pilgrims but above all for safeguarding the rights amongst the three Communities.

Finally, His Beatitude expressed satisfaction for the installation of an absorbent candelabrum at St Nicholas Church, intended to keep the Church clean from candle smoke.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 7^th/20^th of December 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, bestowed upon Mr Alexandros-Andreas Gennimatas, Consul at the Greek Embassy in Tel Aviv, the honorary distinction of Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of his contribution to the rights and interests of the Patriarchate in the Holy Land.

Mr Gennimatas thanked His Beatitude for the honour conferred upon him and for His valuable suggestions and instructions on the relations between Greece and the Patriarchate during his diplomatic tenure. He also pledged to remain a herald for the Patriarchate’s pastoral, peacemaking and cultural work.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/_uVTvCCTpP4

On the morning of Monday, the 29^th of November/12^th of December 2016, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav (Poli) Mordechai, accompanied by Israeli military men from the Bethlehem region, i.e. Mr Dani Zandler and Mr Kfir, and Mr Cesar Margie, responsible for the Division of Christian Affairs of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, visited the Patriarchate.

The Major General and his attendants were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

During the visit, Mr Mordechai expressed his will to contribute to the preparations for a peaceful celebration of Christmas. His Beatitude extended thanks for facilitations provided to pilgrims and for permits issued by the Israeli army to members of the Arabic-speaking Communities of the Patriarchate from the occupied territories and to pilgrims from various Orthodox countries in order to reach Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Jordan river for the Epiphany.

The ancient Monastery of St John the Baptist, by the Jordan river, has been renovated by the Patriarchate and awaits the approval of the Israeli army for electric power supply.

At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos offered Mr Mordechai a ceramic tray with a representation and a medal commemorating 2000 years of Christianity. Mr Morderchai offered the Patriarch an army medal.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/udUkhptj0oA

Before noon on Saturday the 27^th of November/10^th of December 2016, a forty-member group of Squadrons 341 and 347 of the Hellenic Air Force, under squadron leader, Demetrios Gritzaliotis, and accompanied by the representative of the Greek Embassy in Israel, Mr Broumas, visited the Patriarchate.

The group was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

His Beatitude praised the members of the group for their mission to defend their homeland and referred to the Patriarchate’s own mission in the religious field, to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to safeguard the Holy Shrines, as well as to its cultural and peacemaking mission vis-a-vis the as yet unresolved political situation in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

Extending thanks, this select air force group received the Patriarch’s blessings and went on to venerate at the Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/GxfepxqmD2E

On the morning of Wednesday, the 24^th of November/7^th of December 2016, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Mr Olav Fykse Tveit, accompanied by Ms Marianne Ejdersten, Director of Communications, and former Jordan MP and member of the Central Committee of the WCC, Mr Ode Kawas, was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

An interesting discussion unfolded in the context of the meeting, on the Christian character of Jerusalem, the position of Christians in the Middle East and the possibilities for humanitarian aid in view of the problems facing Christians in the occupied areas of Palestine and elsewhere.

On this occasion, His Beatitude expressed the Patriarchate’s interest in continuing to participate in and collaborating with the World Council of Churches.

On the conclusion of the meeting, the General Secretary of the WCC offered His Beatitude a cross and emblem of the WCC. The Patriarch reciprocated with icons of Theotokos to the three guests, as well as an icon of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 23rd of November/6th of December 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, demonstrating in practice His concern aboout refugees displaced from Syria, visited the Badia refugee camp in Jordan.

Ms Wafa Gousous, Rum Orthodox from Karak, and Director of the Patriarchate’s Office in Amman, had already visited the camp to offer humanitarian help. During His visit, Patriarch Theophilos offered food, clothing and toys for the children.  Fully aware of the harsh conditions of living facing the members of the aforementioned camp, especially during winter, His Beatitude appealed to the International Community, persons and organizations, to supply practical aid through the Patriarchate’s Office in Amman, so as to ease Jordan’s financial burden.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/C5kJLQIqPkU

On the afternoon of the 14^th/27^th of November 2016, a music event performed by the Choir of St James the Brother of God Cathedral and “Branko” Choir of the Patriarchate of Serbia took place in the auditorium of Notre Dame Hotel, near the New Gate. The event was hosted by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The music performance was held on the approval of His Beatitude Theophilos, who attended the event accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Mathew, the Master of Ceremonies, f. Bartholomew, former Principal, f. Nikolaos Zervis, Ambassador Heraklis Asteriades and other.

Troparia and songs were performed in the traditional Serbian style. For details, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/27/28049

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/NNjCE-79MdQ

On the afternoon of Sunday, the 14^th/27^th of November 2017, a forty-member group of the Hellenic Air Force, particularly of the 383 Special Operations and Air Fire Fighting Squadron, accompanied by the representative of the Greek Embassy to Israel, Mr Broumas, visited the Patriarchate. Over recent days, the group had provided active and effective support to the extinguishment of the extensive wildfire that broke out in the city of Haifa.

The group was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers, including the Assistant Sacristan of the Holy Sepulchre, Archimandrite Polycarpos, who had served in the Hellenic Air Force before joining the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. Patriarch Theophilos praised officers for their decision to participate, at the risk of their own lives, in the extinguishment of the wildfires that had destroyed a large area of natural environment and the residences of approximately 70.000 people, now homeless.

This act, His Beatitude said, demonstrates the conviction on our shared human nature and love for our fellow human beings, independent of race, colour and religion, whilst contributing to the consolidation of the relations between Greece and Israel.

Extending thanks for the blessing of having visited the Holy Sepulchre and received its moral enhancement, the Hellenic Air Force group offered His Beatitude a medal with its emblem. Patriarch Theophilos offered an icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite and of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5-izNdgqyd4

Jerusalem, 14/27 of November 2016

THE ST. JACOB ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL CHOIR.

1. Troparion of the Holy CrossTone I
   O Lord, save Thy people.

And bless Thane inheritance

Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians

Over their adversaries,

and by virtue of Thy cross.

Preserve Thy habitation.

2. Who have received Baptism

       As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Halleluiah

3. Sunday of the Pentecost (Dismissal Hymn Tone 4)
   Blessed art Thou, Christ our God Who hadst

made the fishermen most wise by sending down

upon the Holy Spirit, and by them didst, draw the world

into Thy net, Ο Merciful Lord, Gloiy to Thee..

4. Kontakion of the Akathist

Unto you, Ο Theotokos, invincible Champion, your City, in thanksgiving ascribes           the victory for the deliverance from sufferings. And having your might                   unassailable, free us from all dangers. So that we may try unto you:

Rejoice, Ο Bride Ever-Virgin.

5. Troparion of The Birth of Jesus Christ (Tone 4)
   Your Nativity, Ο Christ our God, Has shone to the
   World the Light of Wisdom. For by it , those who worshipped the stars worshipped the stars, were taught by a Star lo adore You,
   The Sun of Righteousness, And to know You,the Orient from on High. Ο Lord, groly to You.

6. Exapostelarion

Thy bridal Chamber, Ο my Saviour, do I behold all adorned, and a garment I have            not that I may enter therein. Illumine the garment of my soul, Ο Giver of light,      and save me.

7. “O Pure Virgin”

2 Verses (Agni Parthene )

in Arabic hymn composed by Si. Nectarios of Aegina,

drawn from the Theotokarion ( Book of hymns to the Mother of God).

 THE CHURCH CHORAL SOCIETY “BRANKO”.

1. Holy is the Lord our God (from the All Night Vigil).

Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

2. Our Father.

Nikolaj Kedrov, senior (1871-1910)

4. The Royal Litany.

Unknown Serbian Composer

5. Praise the name of the Lord.

Stevan St. Mokranjac (1856-1914

6. No one is as Holy as Thee {from the Serbian Requiem)

Stevan St. Mokranjac (1856-1914)

7. God is with us (A Christmas Hymn) Pavel Chesnokov (1877-1944)
8. Easter Antiphon

Vastljev and Grebeshnikov

9. Serbian woman (a Serbian Folk song)

Isidor Bajic (1878-1975)

10. The Swallows Flew Above

Jovica Gavrilovie

11. 2 Songs from Kosovo

arrangement Bojan Stankovic

12.  Far away.

A Serbian Song from World War I

Soloists

Marijana Radosavijevic, soprano

Danica Gostovie, contralto

Mario Petrovic, tenor

Andrej Cincarevic, baritone.

On the morning of Wednesday, the 10^th/23^rd of November 2016, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem bestowed the medal of Small Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre to Cypriot pilgrim Stavros Ktorides for his contribution, alongside Christos Panteli, also present, to the Holy Icons and other ecclesiastical items in the Holy Shrines.

Moved, Mr Ktorides warmly thanked His Beatitude and pledged to carry on offering his help to the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/KuhmmeFYrvM