On the morning of Tuesday the 8^th/21^st of April 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem welcomed a group of fifty Deans of the Anglican Church. The Deans were accompanied by their spouses and Dean Hosam of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem.

The members of the group had visited the Holy Land in order to gain knowledge of the city and work towards improving the position of Christians in the Holy Land.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude spoke of the Holy Shrines, the Church of the Resurrection, the Basilica of Bethlehem and other shrines as providing an indestructible roof of protection for Christians and a guarantee of their Christian identity and residence in their paternal homes.

The clerics, pastors of the Anglican Church, carefully listened to the Patriarch’s words, which they found very useful for their service to the Church.

The visitors extended thanks to His Beatitude, adding that the holiness of Jerusalem is owed to the fact that its land has been drenched with the blood of the prophets and the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ChhsFBkMkao

On Easter Wednesday, the 2^nd/15^th of April 2015, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem reciprocated the visit of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led a delegation of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The Patriarchal Hagiotaphites were welcomed by the Armenian Patriarch, Nourhan Manougian, in the presence of Armenian Primates and Priests.

During the visit, Patriarch Theophilos addressed the Armenian Patriarch and His retinue in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/15/13873

From the Secretariat-General

On Easter Tuesday, the 1^st/14^th of April 2015, the visit of the Israeli President to the Patriarchate was followed by the Paschal visits of Western Church delegations.

The first to visit the Patriarchate where the Franciscan monks of the Holy Land.

The Franciscan Brothers were addressed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/14/13865

The Franciscans were followed by representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate, led by Archbishop Aris Shirvanian.

Likewise, Patriarch Theophilos welcomed the Armenians in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/14/13870

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/hQBrMVNoHGY

On Tuesday, the 4^th/17^th of March 2015, Ms Antonia Moropoulou, Seismology Professor at the National Technical University of Greece, and the Studies’ Director of the “Materials and Conservation Interventions” Direction, visited the Patriarchate on an invitation to assess the state of preservation of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher, following the recent unauthorized intervention of the Israeli Police and the Israeli Archaeological Service.

After her on-site visit to the Holy Sepulcher, in the presence of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, and the Architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Mr Theodosios Mitropoulos, where she appraised the Aedicula’s condition for the purpose of conducting a study on the stability of its structure, Ms Moropoulou was welcomed to the Patriarchate by Patriarch Theophilos.

An interesting discussion took place there, during which His Beatitude explained the current state of political affairs in Jerusalem, which includes provocations against the Patriarchate, despite its peacemaking role, evolving around the Church of the Resurrection, the site of Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection.

On the occasion of this visit, His Beatitude bestowed upon Prof. Moropoulou the honourary distinction of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, in recognition of her scientific contribution, both past and present, to the Patriarchate and the Holy Sepulcher.

Moved, Ms Moropoulou thanked His Beatitude and pledged to always support the Patriarchate, a treasure of our faith and nation, with all her scientific capacities and powers.

 From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/6aFWSltYWEk

On Monday, the 9^th of March/24^th of February, the Most Reverend Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Dodoni (former Metropolitan of Zakynthos) and Chairman at the Synodical Office of Pilgrimages of the Church of Greece, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by the Office’s General Secretary and a group of priests from various Bishoprics across Greece.

They Metropolitan and clerics were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos, who went on to praise them on organizing such pilgrimage tours which indeed support Christians residing in the Holy Land.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of the meeting on the attitude of the Greek people against Jewish victims of the World War II holocaust, as a result of persecutions by Nazi Germany.

Pilgrims then visited the Holy Shrines as well as the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, upon a suggestion by the Patriarch. There, they were received by Ms Ahuva Zaken, who bestowed upon the Metropolitan the title of ‘Pilgrim to Jerusalem’ in recognition of the assistance offered to persecuted Jewish during World War II, in Zakynthos and elsewhere.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/p1tKydMy3tg

On Lent Wednesday, the 12^th/25^th of February 2015, the recently elected Council of the Rum Orthodox Community of the town of Pkea, Northern Israel, of the Bishopric of Acre, visited the Patriarchate led by its President, Mr Shukri Aboud.

The Patriarch welcomed and blessed Council members,

Mr. Michael Haj

Mr. Kamil Khoury

Mr. Khalil Aboud

Mr. Fadeel Sachniny

Mr. Ziad Hardal

and Mr. Bassem Shadad

and provided them with guidelines for dealing with issues pertaining to their Community.

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday, the 18^th/31^st of January 2015, the new Jamaiyie, namely the Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Remle, bordering the towns of Lydda and Joppa, visited the Patriarchate.

The President and approximately twenty members of the Jamaiyie, led by Archimandrite Nephon, were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

The new Jamaiyie, represented by its President, asked for His Beatitude’s wishes and blessings,. In His turn, the Patriarch wished that its work be supported by God, and offered financial aid to enhance its activities.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/3Y8PKmWp3o8

On Monday, the 13^th/26^th of January 2015, the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr Nir Barkat, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by associates of his.

The Mayor and his associates were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the safe access of pilgrims to Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy Land, and on facilitating their attending the Holy Light Ceremony on Easter Saturday.

Reference was also made to the resolution of problems caused against the Patriarchate on the site of the Shrine of the Holy Sion by its neighbours.

During the meeting, the Mayor stated his will to effectively fight against incidents of violence which perturb the calm life of the citizens of Jerusalem.

On the occasion of the visit, the Mayor offered His Beatitude a basket of Christmas sweets, whereas the Patriarch offered the Mayor a silver seven-lamp lantern.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/xKA0n76Nq2Q

On Wednesday, the 8^th/21^st of January 2015, two days after the Orthodox feast of Epiphany, and on the feast-day of St George the Hozevite, the Patriarchate reciprocated the visit paid by the Armenians on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas, as the Armenians celebrate the Nativity after the Epiphany.

This visit to the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, which stands where St James, the son of Zebedee and brother of the Evangelist John suffered a martyr’s death, was paid by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Hagiotaphite Fathers. There, Patriarch Theophilos addressed the Armenian Patriarch, Nourhan, in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/01/21/11621

The Armenian Patriarch replied by extending thanks for the visit and underlining its importance for the peaceful coexistence of Christians in the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

At 5:00 pm on New Year’s Eve, namely Tuesday the 31^st of December 2014/13^th of January 2015, the pie-cutting ceremony took place at the Patriarchate’s Hall of Events.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem addressed guests in celebration of the New Year.

The Fathers then sang the Apolytikion of the Circumcision of the Lord and of St Basil.

His Beatitude went on to cut the pie wishing for a “propitious, happy and blessed New Year”, offering the pieces to those honouring the ceremony with their presence, the Primates of the Patriarchate, the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Archimandrites and other Hagiotaphite brothers, members of the Greek Parish and of the Arab-speaking congregation, as well as novices at the Patriarchal School who also sang the Carols for pilgrims.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/RmHrdEetN_g