On Friday, the 30^th of August/12^th of September 2014, the new Ambassador of Georgia to Israel, His Excellency Mr Paata Kalandare, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Kalandare was received by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. An interesting discussion took place during the meeting, on problems facing the Middle East, where the Patriarchate has been called to protect and preserve the All-Holy Shrines, but also Christians residing in the Holy Land.

Talk was also made on the frequent visits of pilgrims from Georgia, even during periods of unrest and conflict between peoples inhabiting the All-Holy Shrines region.

Additionally, His Beatitude congratulated the new Ambassador on the assumption of his duties, and offered him Jerusalemite eulogias, namely the Hagiotaphite calendar in Russian and icons of the Holy Sepulcher.

The Georgian Ambassador thanked His Beatitude for the long and constructive conversation, and offered Him fine wine from his country, before going on to venerate at the Lord’s Life-Giving Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/HDJ5OxveQik

On Tuesday, the 30^th of July/12^th of August 2014, the Serbian Ambassador to Israel, Mr Milutin Stanoyevic, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by Mrs Miliça Vajovic, the Embassy Secretary, whose assignment in Israel is nearing its close.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Serbia and his Secretary were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isycios of Kapitolias, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of this meeting on the role of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as a factor of stability and reconciliation in the Middle East, especially so during this period of political unrest, acutely manifested with the atrocities in Gaza. Also underlined was the role of the Patriarchate as a link between the Orthodox states currently maintaining diplomatic delegations to the state of Israel.

The destruction of Serbia’s cultural and ecclesiastical monuments, caused during the years of the harsh war, as well as by recent floods, was also talked about.

Having asked His Beatitude’s blessing, the Serbian Ambassador and Mrs Miliça Vajovic went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher, His Beatitude wishing the Ambassador success in his mission and Mrs Vajovic a fine career back to her country.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 24^th of July/6^th of August 2014, the representative of Hungary to the Palestinian Autonomy in Ramallah, Mr Michael Giza, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Michael was warmly received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

In the context of this meeting an interesting discussion took place on the visit of His Beatitude to Hungary, on the country’s subvention for the renovation of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and on the award of two scholarships to students of the Patriarchate’s Arab-speaking flock. Assurances were also exchanged on the continuation of this fruitful cooperation between Hungary and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.

In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.
In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday the 5^th/18^th of Julye 2014, a group of nuns and accompanying pilgrims from the Monastery of Chrysopege, of the Kydonia and Apokoronos Bishopric, and from the Monastery of St Irene of the Church of Crete, headed by Abbess Theoxeni and Archimandrite f. Justinus, Protosyncellus of the Bishopric of Florina, visited the Patriarchate.

This distinguished group of nuns and pilgrims was received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

His Beatitude welcomed the nuns and pilgrims to the Holy Land, specifically in Jerusalem, where the soil has been drenched with the redeeming blood of Christ, and where the earth received the crucified, pure Body of our Saviour, who was buried and rose from the dead. Owing to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His incarnate presence, this land bears sanctity and grace, sought and received by pilgrims. These pilgrims are sanctified as beholders of the holy lands “by the grace of the All-holy and Life-giving Tomb” and of the rest of the Shrines. By this grace, pilgrims become preachers of the hallowing property of the Holy Shrines and of the Church, which carries on its pastoral and consecrating work for the benefit of pilgrims. These very pilgrims stand among them as especially worthy of praise, for having defied the war situation in Gaza in order to conduct their pilgrimage.

Abbess Theoxeni of the Monastery of Chrysopege, thanked His Beatitude for these words and offered Him an epigonation [rhomboid ornament] embroidered at her Monastery, along with an icon of St Porphyrios, a late spiritual father at the Monastery.

Having received His Beatitude’s blessing, a cross, icons and other Jerusalemite eulogias, the nuns and pilgrims carried on their tour at the Holy Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

On the evening of Tuesday, the 2^nd/15^th of July 2014, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; and the Very Reverend presbyter f. Issa Musleh, participated in the reception held in His honour at the town of Shepherds Village/Beit-Sahour, by Mr Jiries Kumsiyeh and his son, Mr Bashar Jiries Kumsiyeh.

In the context of this reception, His Beatitude conferred the title of Crusader Minor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher to the hosts of the event for their substantial interest in favour of the Patriarchate and its flock, either from the U.S., where Mr J. Kumsiyeh lives and works as an entrepreneur alongside his son Dr B. Kumsiyeh, or from their birthplace of Beit-Sahour. The Patriarch’s address in Arabic was read by f. Issa Musleh and may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/17/6579

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 25^th of June/9^th of July 2014, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Greece, the Most Reverend Archimandrite f. Damianos, heading a group of fifty pilgrims – including priests and faithful from the Dependencies of the Church of Sion in Greece, visited the Patriarchate.

The Exarch and accompanying pilgrims were courteously received by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

At the beginning of the visit, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Greece expressed his profound gratitude to God on their arrival to the Holy Land, where the Holy Shrines have been preserved through the centuries by the Patriarchate and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. He also reiterated his devotion to Patriarch Theophilos III for the honour bestowed upon them, namely the representation of the Church of Sion in Greece.

In His reply, His Beatitude thanked the Exarch for this initiative of veneration and explained the significance of pilgrimage as an act of spiritual construction, which enhances faith and contributes to salvation.

His Beatitude went on to offer pectoral crosses to the priests and Jerusalemite eulogias to the pilgrims, who carried on their pilgrimage.

Amongst the pilgrims were Mr Photios Kourlamanis, President of the Society of Eurytania Scientists; Mrs Adamantia Oikonomou, Deputy Public Prosecutor at the court of appeals; Mrs Eleni Papacosta, Magistrate in Agrinion; Mr Eythymios Kordoroumpas, retired Brigadier; Mr Christos Tzoumelekas, retired Major General and others.

As a token of remembrance of this visit, Mr Kourlamanis offered His Beatitude a book entitled “The Contribution of the Church in the 1940s”.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 25^th of June/8^th of July 2014, Mrs Kate Clerides, the daughter of the late President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Glafcos Clerides, Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs (of Cyprus), and Mr Ioannis Iacovou, Deputy Director of the Service for Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots of the Republic of Cyprus, visited the Patriarchate.

These distinguished visitors were received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the patriotic work of the late President Clerides, on the need for a just solution to the Cyprus problem, and on the presence of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus, especially after the recent inauguration of the Exarchy of the Holy Sepulcher on the island.

On the occasion of this visit, Mrs Clerides and Mr Ioannis Iacovou offered His Beatitude a present on behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Anastasiades, namely a silver lekythos. His Beatitude, in return, offered a fine icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite and the book on the History of the Church of Jerusalem by Chrysostomos Papadopoulos.

Thanking His Beatitude for receiving them, Mrs Clerides and Mr Iacovou proceeded to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher in the company of the Most Reverend Philoumenos, Metropolitan of Pella.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ZFuGJYTWRNk

On Tuesday, the 25^th of June/8^th of July 2014, fifty members of the Rum Orthodox Community of the Patriarchate from the town of Karak, South Jordan, and other Jordan cities, visited the Patriarchate under their Steward, f. John.

They were warmly received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. The Patriarch spoke to the guests of the spiritual links between the Patriarchate and its Jordan flock within its irrevocable jurisdiction since the beginning, and advised them to study and observe the history and tradition of the Orthodox Church.

Before leaving to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher and other shrines, guests were offered Jerusalemite memorabilia and the blessing of His Beatitude.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/15EYHQHDg7Y