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HIS BEATITUDE THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM LIGHTS UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN NAZARETH

On the evening of Sunday, the 30th of November/13th of December 2015, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Most Reverend Joachim, Metropolitan of former Zambia, arrived in Nazareth, Galilee.

There, in the town square, Patriarch Theophilos lit up the Christmas tree, extending wishes for a happy New Year. Attending the ceremony were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, the town’s priests, the Chairwoman of the Board of the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community, the Mayor, the Director of the Office of Christian Affairs at Israel’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, representatives of other Churches and Community Services, and a crowd of approximately 10.000. The Patriarch addressed those present in Arabic.

From the Secretariat-General




PASTORAL VISIT OF HIS BEATITUDE THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM TO JORDAN

A. Visit to Fhes

On Friday the 28th of November/11th of December 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, crossed the Jordan River bridge near the site of the Baptismal of the Lord and arrived at the town of Fhes, a suburb of Amman, Jordan. He was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos; the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arabic-speaking Media, f. Isla Musleh; and Archdeacon Evlogios.

There, on the conclusion of the d. Liturgy, the Patriarch officiated at the forty-day memorial for the late Elias Sues, dedicated servant of the Greek-Orthodox Community. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen of the Community, and the Community’s vicars. Relatives of the departed priest attended the ceremony.

In honour of Elias Sues, the Patriarch addressed the faithful in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/12/11/16843

After distributing the antidoron, Patriarch Theophilos offered His condolences to the late priest’s family.

B. Visit to Marka

On the afternoon of the same day, His Beatitude visited Marka quarter in Amman, particularly St Nicholas Church, to offer His moral support after the recent incident of arson against the church’s bema. The church was built on land offered by the Jordan Government, by means of financial aid provided by the Patriarchate on the supervision of presbyter f. Issa Ayas.

C. Meeting with Advisory Committee

On the evening of the same day, His Beatitude and attendants met at the Bishopric in Amman with representatives of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Patriarch. The representatives presented issues of interest to the flock in Amman i.e. the inauguration of churches in Jordan, the event organized by UCLAN Cyprus for the benefit of Syrian refugees, financial aid for St Nicholas, Marka, the establishment of a student fund, the foundation of a school in Salt and other towns of Jordan, as well as the upcoming plenary meeting of the Advisory Committee.

From the Secretariat-General




THE ‘HALO TRUST’ LANDMINE CLEARANCE ORGANIZATION VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On the morning of Wednesday, the 26th of November/9th of December 2015, representatives of the ‘The Halo Trust’ mineclearance organization visited the Patriarchate to discuss the demining project in the Jordan river on the Baptismal Site of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The ‘Halo Trust’ representatives were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of delegates of other Christian Churches in the Holy Land owning property on the site of the Lord’s Baptismal, i.e. the Franciscans, the Armenians, the Patriarchate of Romania and the Copts.

The ‘Halo Trust’ explained the Church representatives their positions, founded on humanitarian criteria, towards demining the aforementioned area so as to avoid the maiming or death of our fellow humans on account of mines.

His Beatitude and those present praised the initiative of the ‘Halo Trust’ and stated their willingness to contribute to its humanitarian work, after coming to an understanding with the military authorities of States having sovereignty in the region, namely Jordan, Israel and Palestine, as well as with sponsors required to cover the financial aspect of this costly project.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/UhiZ1luXYsU




THE BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL TO JERUSALEM VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Tuesday, the 25th of November/8th of December 2015, the British Consul General to Jerusalem, Mr Alastair McPhail, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by two associates of his.

The British Consul General was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. Mr McPhail wished the Patriarch on the approaching feast of Christmas though, he said, having previously served in Russia, he knows that some Orthodox Churches, the Church of Jerusalem amongst them, celebrate Christmas at a later date, according to the Julian Calendar.

Discussed at the meeting was the position of Christians in the Holy Land, at times endangered because of recently intensified incidents of violence.

The British Consul also inquired about the status quo of the Holy Shrines, to which the Patriarch responded that as a rule it is being observed with a few exceptions, as was the case with the intervention of the Israeli Archaeological Service and the Israeli Police on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher.

Patriarch Theophilos also referred to cases when the Mayor of Jerusalem proclaims property owned by the Patriarchate as a public space i.e. the Hill of St Sion where, over the last three years, the Patriarchate’s School, Chapel and Cemetery have suffered arson, break and entry and damage.

In spite of this, His Beatitude said, the Patriarchate promotes dialogue as a means of resolving such problems and only where dialogue fails does it take legal action to protect is rights over its land and the Holy Shrines.

Extending thanks, Mr McPhail accepted the Patriarch’s gifts of love and wished Him a peaceful and blessed Christmas.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/hHcD7S0vy0o

 

 




THE PRIEST AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF KUFR YASEEF COMMUNITY VISIT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Saturday, the 22nd of November/5th of December 2015, f. Theodosios Mahouli, Mr Basam, Chairman, and members of the Council of the Greek-Orthodox Arabic-Speaking Community of Kufr Yaseef in Northern Israel, visited the Patriarchate.

They were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and spoke with Him for issues and problems facing their Community. The Patriarch offered His advice and promised to provide help, both moral and tangible, towards having their needs met and their problems resolved.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Ncsj-hzgBgQ




NOVICE ALEXANDROS FROCKED

On Tuesday, the 18th of November/1st of December 2015, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, blessed the frock of novice Alexandros, serving for some time at Sts Constantine and Helen Church and at the Central Cookery, and wished that he honour the cloth through honesty in his life and diaconate.

From the Secretariat-General




ETHIOPIAN CHURCH DELEGATION VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Monday, the 17th/30th of November 2015, a three-member Hieratic Delegation from the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem visited the Patriarchate.

The Delegation was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Discussed at the meeting was the problem caused by the gathering of Ethiopian faithful in front of their chapel in the area of the Holy Court of the Church of the Resurrection, which is in breach of the status quo for religious veneration.

His Beatitude suggested the Ethiopian Delegation ways in which to avoid overcrowding caused by the chapel’s narrowness, which stands on the way to the monastery of the Copts.

From the Secretariat-General

 




COMMISSIONERS FROM THE VILLAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS VISIT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Monday, the 17th/30th of November 2015, the Board of Commissioners of the Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community of the Village of the Shepherds or Beit Sahour, visited Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to ask that f. Georgios Banoura, hailing from Beit Sahour, return to serve his town, having served for two years in Birzet.

Patriarch Theophilos told commissioners that once a priest becomes available to serve the Community of Birzet, then, in accordance with the relevant decision by the Holy and Sacred Synod, f. Georgios will return to the flock of Beit Sahour.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/qQiNNnCU2nE




THE AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIA TO ISRAEL VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Wednesday the 12th/25th of November 2015, the Russian Ambassador to Israel, Mr Alexander Shein, visited the Patriarchate. He was welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of the meeting, on the position of the Patriarchate in the Holy Land, its natural, proprietary, venerating and cultural heritage, and on the harmonious relations it maintains with the Patriarchate of Moscow, especially in modern years. Reference was also made to the Monasteries of the Patriarchate of Moscow within the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Mr Shein and the Patriarch also pointed out the need to unite the Church and the state’s peace-making forces in order to fight incidents of atrocious violence that cost the lives of the innocent.

After the exchange of gifts, the Patriarch wished the Russian Ambassador a successful tenure to the benefit of his country and of Christians in the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/RsXhe73qZS4




HIS BEATITUDE AWARDS PECTORAL CROSSES TO PRIESTS FROM JORDAN

On Monday, the 10th/23rd of November 2015, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of the hegoumen of Mount Tabor Monastery, Archimandrite Hilarion, awarded the pectoral blessing cross to father Panteleimon, Steward and former vicar at the Shrine of Madeba, now vicar in the Church of Hilda. Also present was the Most Reverend Benedict, Metropolitan of Philadelphia. The Patriarch also awarded a pectoral blessing cross to Steward f. Salem-Irineos, vicar in Abdali, and Steward f. Abdullah Hamarne, vicar in Hashmi.

Touched, the honoured priests thanked His Beatitude, assuring Him they would do their utmost to serve their parishes in a Christian and constructive manner.

From the Secretariat-General