On Tuesday the 26^th of February/11^th of March 2014, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Mr Landau Uzi, accompanied by associates of his, visited the Patriarchate. The Honourable Minister was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude thanked the Minister for his Ministry’s approval of the request to supply water to the Monastery of Mount Tabor, and referred to the matter of the unhindered access of pilgrims to the Church of the Resurrection; to the Ceremony of the Holy Light on Easter Saturday; and to the anticipated visit of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, next May.

In his response, the Minister assured His Beatitude that the Ministry of Tourism proposes to unreservedly help and support the Patriarchate both as regards these and other issues.

To commemorate the visit, gifts were exchanged between His Beatitude and the Minister.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/17VF7lPSaOI

On Tuesday the 12^th/25^th of February 2014, the Ambassador of Romania to Israel, Ms Andrea Păstârnac, visited the Patriarchate. The new Romanian Ambassador to Israel was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Ms Andrea Păstârnac visited the Patriarchate on the occasion of her recent appointment, and in order to express her joy over the agreement to restore the ecclesiastical communion between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Patriarchate of Romania (see link https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/02/03/4288). Ms Păstârnac delivered His Beatitude a letter of appreciation by the President of Romania, H.E. Mr Traian Băsescu, who recently visited Israel and the Patriarchate for the signed agreement, which paves the way for a new, fruitful relationship between the Patriarchate and the country and Church of Romania.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place about the situation of the Christians in the Holy Land and the support they receive from the Patriarchate and the Orthodox Embassies; also, on the contribution of the Patriarchate to the preservation of the status quo of the city of Jerusalem.

Gifts and courteous wishes were exchanged during the visit.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ZbLaLUYRsY4

On Saturday the 9^th/22^nd of February 2014, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and the new President of the Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Community of Nazareth, Ms Afaf Touma, accompanied by Council Members, visited the Patriarchate.

This was the first visit of Ms Touma to the Patriarchate in her capacity as President. In the context of the visit, His Beatitude wished Ms Touma strength and enlightenment from above in her new administrative tasks.

The President offered His Beatitude a painting representing the Pilgrimage Site of Nazareth, whereas His Beatitude reciprocated with a golden pectoral cross.

His Beatitude talked with the Metropolitan of Nazareth, the President and the Council about issues pertaining to the spiritual life of the Community of Nazareth, which numbers approximately 18.000 members. Also discussed, were development plans as well as plans to restore the Church of the Holy Pilgrimage Site.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/K5SNd1yFjyQ

On the evening of Wednesday the 8^th/19^th of February 2014, the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, while in Israel for a political visit, visited the Church of the Resurrection and the Patriarchate. Mr Kasoulides was accompanied by his personal associates and by the diplomatic delegates of the Republic of Cyprus to Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy.

The Minister and his associates were received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of the visit, on the situation of the Christians in the Holy Land, especially Syria and the Middle East; also, on the need for a peaceful coexistence between them and the adherents of other religions, Jews and Muslims, and for the peace-keeping contribution of the Patriarchate by means of maintaining private schools open to both Christians and Muslims. The meeting revolved around the spiritual and physical heritage of the Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem, and the need to preserve its status as a context safeguarding the rights of Christians and the adherents of other religions.

Also raised was the problem caused by anarchic Palestinians trespassing on Patriarchate property in the Holy Monastery of Bethany, as well as its recent resolution on behalf of the Palestinian Autonomy, following actions taken by the Patriarchate, and the Greek and Cypriot Governments.

At the end of the meeting, presents were courteously exchanged between His Beatitude and the Minister, upon which Mr Kasoulides left for the remaining part of his mission.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/MOKu8pWYoG0

On Monday the 4^th/17^th of February 2014, Mr Shaun Casey, Special Advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry for Faith-based and Community Initiatives, representative of US President Obama and mediator in the peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Casey was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The aim of Mr Casey’s visit was to bring His Beatitude up to date with the situation of Christians in the Holy Lands, the development of the peace negotiations and the scheduled visits of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch.

His Beatitude talked to Mr Casey about the Patriarchate’s pastoral work through the centuries and also about its peaceful contribution to all governments since the days of the Byzantines, Omar Hatab, the Ottoman Empire, the Government of the British Mandate in Palestine, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy, to the present day; also about Jerusalem’s quest to serve as a city open to two peoples and to the adherents of three different religions.

His Beatitude also referred to the problems facing the Patriarchate on account of extreme religious people in its pilgrimage site on the Hill of St Sion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/bIchDQ9NtWI

On Thursday the 31^st of January/13^th of February 2014, Her Eminence Ms Georgia Kokkalis-Kouvelis, Vice-Councillor of the region of Thessaly, visited the Patriarchate in the company of her associates. Ms Kokkalis-Kouvelis was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, a discussion took place on the All-holy Pilgrimage Sites of Orthodoxy in the Holy Land and their safekeeping by the Patriarchate and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher, through the help of the Byzantine Empire in the past and, in the present day, of pious pilgrims from Greece.

Having received gifts from His Beatitude, Ms Kokkalis and her associates left for the Holy Sepulcher and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/zqLTPnqV2k8

On Saturday, the 26^th of January/8^th February 2014, priest f. Nikolaos Basal of the Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Community of Abu-Snan of the region of Accra in Northern Israel, together with a delegation of the Community’s Council, numbering approximately twenty members, visited the Patriarchate.

The representatives of the aforementioned Community were received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Both the priest and the secular representatives of the Community addressed His Beatitude, extending their thanks for the visit and the moral and tangible support towards the conservation of their Church, the Cemetery, the Catechism School Hall and their activities within the parish.

His Beatitude praised the priest and the Council for their connection to the Patriarchate, which supports and protects them as members of its congregation, as it does with all Christians in the Middle East, Syria especially.

His Beatitude promised the aforementioned members of His congregation even stronger support, and went on to offer them brochures on the history of the Patriarchate in Arabic, as well a CD with constructive speeches and processions. Finally, He blessed them for their subsequent veneration at the Holy Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/uGaq8Vh4z9A

On Wednesday, the 23^rd of January/5^th of February 2014, the new Consul General of the United Kingdom to Jerusalem, Mr Alastair McPhail, visited the Patriarchate on the occasion of his appointment.

Mr McPhail was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

To Mr McPhail’s statement that he is happy and honoured to visit the Patriarchate, His Beatitude replied that he is equally happy, owing to the bilateral relations between the Patriarchate and the Great Britain and Anglican Church, especially in the days of the Government of the British Mandate of Palestine.

In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the peace initiative now being promoted in the Holy Land, in the benefit of Christians and all residents.

“The Patriarchate”, His Beatitude said, “with poise, wisdom, and prudence, faces challenges against it and brings peace to disputing political powers”.

“The Patriarchate struggles to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Land, of the status quo in Jerusalem, and the peaceful coexistence of adherents of all religions”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/bsCE6EyxdfY

On Thursday the 10^th/23^rd of January 2014, a festive event took place to welcome the New Year 2014. The event was hosted by the City Hall of Jerusalem at its Hall of Events.

Invited at the event were the Heads of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, the Police, the Muslim Community, Mukhtars, and civilians either residing in or visiting Jerusalem.

The Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr Nir Barkat, spoke on behalf of the Mayoralty, underlining the importance of Jerusalem as a historic and ecumenical city for the three religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – a city which has, through the centuries, attracted an increasing number of visitors and conveyed the message of peace.

The significance of the city’s call for a peaceful coexistence devoid of violence and aggressiveness was highlighted by other speakers too, i.e. the Consul of Costa Rica to Jerusalem, the rabbi of the Wailing Wall, Mr Samuel Rabinovic, the Mukhtar of Jerusalem and researcher Mr Ahmed Nasser.

On behalf of the Heads of Churches or their representatives, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed this multinational and multi-religious gathering with a speech in English, see:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/01/23/4177

From the Secretariat-General

On Monday, the 7^th/20^th of January 2014, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, represented by the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, reciprocated the Armenians’ visit on the occasion of Christmas, celebrated according to the very ancient Byzantine custom, together with the feast of Theophany.

The Hagiotaphite Brotherhood was received by the Armenian Patriarch, Mr Nurhan, and Armenian Fathers, whereas the head of the representation, namely His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the Armenian Patriarch and His retinue in English. His speech may be reached here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/01/20/4104

From the Secretariat-General