On Monday, the 26^th of April/9^th of May 2016, the President of Israel, Mr Reuven Rivlin, visited the Patriarchate of the Armenians in Jerusalem in the presence of the Armenian Patriarchate, Mr Nourhan Manoukian, and the Heads of all Christian Churches in Jerusalem.

At the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem as well as the Armenian and Latin Patriarchs addressed the President of Israel.

In his reply speech, Mr Rivlin called the occasion a meeting of peace, reconciliation and exchange and a testament against the violence that plagues Jerusalem and other regions of the earth.

Patriarch Theophilos’ speech, in English, may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/05/09/23533

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday the 3^rd/16^th of April 2016, the Scientific Diagnostic Team of the NTUA, assigned with conducting a study on the protection, conservation and restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, composed of Ms Antonia Moropoulou and Messrs. Mouzakis and Korres, visited the Patriarchate.

The distinguished scientists were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina. At the meeting, the Patriarch spoke of the significance of the Aedicula and the Holy Sepulchre to Christians in the Holy Land and across the world, but also to followers of other religions and to the political authorities of the region.

In the presence of Theodosios Mitropoulos, architect of the Church of the Resurrection, the three expert professors went on to discuss with the Patriarch manners in which the innovative study can be implemented, in terms of the order, transportation, customs clearance, safekeeping and usage of materials for the solidification of the monument. It was also agreed that in the course of such works, the worship schedules of the three Communities and free access and veneration of pilgrims from the Holy Land and from across the world must not be violated.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/bAMld5KYFus

On Friday, the 26^th of March/8^th of April 2016, Primates of the Patriarchate of Moscow, namely Metropolitans Alexandros of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevsky, Symeon of Vinitski and Barsky, and Archbishop Vladimir of Dneprodzerzhinsk and Tsaritsnanski, accompanied by priests, visited the Patriarchate.

They were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The Primates extended thanks to His Beatitude for their participation in the feast of the Annunciation in Nazareth and, as a token of gratitude, offered Him a silver teapot.

In the context of the meeting, an interesting discussion took place on the recent meeting between Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Pope Francis in Latin America.

Reference was also made on the Great Synod of Orthodoxy, scheduled to convene during the period of the Holy Pentecost of the current year, on the issues to be discussed there and on the need for Orthodox Churches to support each other.

In view of their next meeting on Holy Saturday during the Holy Light ceremony, the Primates went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulchre and participate in the nocturnal Divine Liturgy.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Tze4x9h1ac0

On Friday, the 16th of March/8th of April 2016, representatives of the Swedish Theological Institute near David’s Gatte, namely Ms Kerstin Enlund, Ms Ann Sofie Lasell and Mr Per Inge Liden, Chairman of Bilda, visited the Patriarchate.

At the meeting, an interesting discussion took place on the peacemaking and cultural activity of the Swedish Institute in Jerusalem and its collaboration with the Patriarchate.

His Beatitude expressed content over such collaboration and wished that they carry on their work. Wishes were also extended for a Happy Easter.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQl7jUDvK4

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