On Friday, the 26^th of March/8^th of April 2016, the crew of the Frigate Psara of the Hellenic Navy visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Having called at the port of Haifa on the occasion of its collaboration with the American and Israeli navy, the crew went on to visit Jerusalem.

The crew was warmly received at the Hall of the Throne by Patriarch Theophilos, who talked of the importance of the Holy Shrines and of the age-long presence of the Rum Orthodox in the region of the Middle East. After the exchange of gifts, the crew carried on their pilgrimage.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/0xUouH7rWrU

At 21:00 am of Tuesday, the 16^th/29^th of March 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, upon His return from Cyprus where He participated in the meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) welcomed the Most Reverend Bishop Daniel of Kyrgyzstan from the Patriarchate of Moscow, as well as a small group of Russian moguls.

The Patriarch expressed joy at the meeting and extended thanks for Russia’s significant financial contribution to the restoration of the roof of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, now underway.  

His Beatitude also referred to the impending restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre on the basis of a study conducted by the National Technical University of Athens, and to the Patriarchate’s expectations of pious donors contributing to the study’s execution.

From the Secretariat-General

At 20:00 pm of Tuesday, the 16^th/29^th of March 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, upon His return from Cyprus, received Ms Svetlana Medvedeva, wife to the Russian Prime Minister Mr Dmitry Medvedev. Ms Medvedeva was accompanied by a small entourage.

The Patriarch expressed joy on the visit and content on the harmonious relations between the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Moscow and the Russian Government, that have borne Russia’s significant financial contribution to the conservation of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, now underway.

Reference was also made to the impending restoration works on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre by the NTUA, in relation to which a wish was made for financial aid by pious pilgrims.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Fri-u-9GdI0

On the morning of Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of March 2016, Mr Jay Nixon, the Governor of Missouri, U.S., visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by associates of his.

The Governor and his entourage were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

At the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos spoke of the relations between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the United States, making special reference to His participation, as Archimandrite, in the meeting between the late Patriarch Diodoros and President Clinton; also, to welcoming, as Patriarch, President Bush at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and former President Jimmy Carter at the Patriarchate.

Further, His Beatitude talked of the Patriarchate’s peace-making work, that contributes to the coexistence of adherents to three religions, as Jerusalem remains a city for two peoples and three religions.

Patriarch Theophilos also spoke of the study conducted on the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, 200 years after its erection by donations of pious pilgrims.

Mr Nixon thanked the Patriarch for sharing with him thoughts and positions, which he pledged to utilize for the support of Christians in the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/2kat46bapSY

On Monday, the 8^th/21^st of March 2016, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, and His Eminence Methodios, Archbishop of Tabor, visited Patriarch Theophilos at the Patriarchate.  

At the meeting, Metropolitan Kyriakos offered the Patriarch a fine Primatial cane, whilst Archbishop Methodios offered a fine Primatial staff with enamel carvings, on the occasion of His Beatitude’s name-day. Upon the offer of gifts, the Primates wished the Patriarch many happy returns in health, for the benefit of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday of Souls, the 21^st of February/5^th of March 2016, a group of fifty members of the Catechism School of the Metropolis of Nazareth, led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos, and a fifty-member group of their adjacent Arabic Community of Rene, visited Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

At the meeting, the Patriarch advised all members of the two groups, both children and adults, to persevere in studying the salvaging traditions of the Church, to obey their Metropolitan and to read the Holy Bible, especially the New Testament, recently published by the Patriarchate in Arabic.

The students then performed church hymns, whereas the Chairman of the Community and the President of the Association addressed His Beatitude (see video).

Having received the Patriarch’s blessings, His spiritual children received a copy of the New Testament in Arabic and icons of Theotokos, before going on to venerate at the Lord’s Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/NC0EtbMP5qk

On Thursday, the 5th/8th of February 2016, a group of twenty priests from the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, headed by the Anglican Archbishop, the Most Reverend Souheil Dawani, and Dean Husam, visited the Patriarchate.

The Anglican Archbishop and his entourage were received by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The Patriarch welcomed the priests and addressed them in English (to be uploaded soon).

At the meeting, His Beatitude referred to the testament of Christians from the dawn of time to this day in the Holy Land, the birthplace of Christianity. He went on to talk about how the Holy Shrines protect their life and identity, as well as about the role of Hellenism and of the Patriarch as Father and Ethnarch since the year 638 AD, when Patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem signed a Covenant with Umar Khattab.

After the exchange of gifts, the Anglican Archbishop and priests proceeded to the Church of the Resurrection in order to make supplication at the Monastery of Abraham.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/2gWNSKBz9yA

On Thursday, the 29^th of January/11^th of February 2016, the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Srpska, Mr Zlatan Klokic, accompanied by Mr Ariel Livni, Advisor to the President of the Republic, and associates of his, visited the Patriarchate.

The Minister and his entourage were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of the meeting, the Patriarch spoke of the need for unity amongst the Orthodox states within the body of the Church, which respects and preserves their cultural and national heritages.

On behalf of the Minister, Mr Livni thanked Patriarch Theophilos for his benevolence towards the Republic of Srspka and other Orthodox countries, whilst His Beatitude encouraged Mr Klokic to promote pilgrimages from his country to the Holy Land in support of both pilgrims and permanent residents.

Having asked for the Patriarch’s blessing, the Minister and his entourage went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5X5I7ijZuOk

On Monday the 26^th of January/8^th of February 2016, the hegoumen of Accra-Ptolemais, Archimandrite Philotheos, and priests from this area of 12 parishes, visited the Patriarchate on the occasion of the elapsed feast of the Nativity.

The priests were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

At the meeting, guests expressed their respect, love and appreciation for the Patriarch’s pastoral care of the flock, manifested in the form of restorations of Churches, Catechizing Schools and parishes e.g. Abu Snan, Jdeideh, Eilabun etc. They went on to submit their requests, for instance the need for collaboration between Community Councils and priests, and the need to have their monthly financial aid and the monthly pension of the widows of presbyters increased for a more dignified living.

His Beatitude responded that He appreciates the fact that priests and the flock recognize the work performed by the Patriarchate and assured guests He would make every effort to satisfy their requests.

Having received the Patriarch’s blessing, Archimandrite Philotheos and priests went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/aA7jcknfiUE

On Saturday, the 24^th of January/6^th of February 2016, the Association of pious women entitled “Myrophorae of Christ”, from Northern Israel, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by the Greek Orthodox doctor Halil Andraus, in order to receive the Patriarch’s good wishes and blessings.

The Association was founded in order to bring together Christian women from the Greek Orthodox Communities of Northern Israel, with the aim of dealing with matters of a Christian interest.

The pious ladies offered the Patriarch an honorary plaque and homemade cakes, whilst His Beatitude reciprocated with Jerusalemite eulogias.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Ipr3OTlFFh8