21 December 2015

Rabbi David Lau,

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef,

Your Beatitudes,

Your Graces,

Beloved Fellow Leaders of our Communities of Faith,

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

In my remarks at this meeting, I wish only to make two central points.

The first is to say as clearly as possible that we totally condemn all violence against the human person, from whatever side of the conflict it comes, and under whatever circumstances it occurs. While we recognize the legitimate aspirations of both the State of Israel and the Palestinian people, we cannot condone acts of terror and the taking of life.

From this condemnation of terror and violence comes our second point. We make the bold claim that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and this truth is the foundation for our understanding of the human person. But more than this, by extension we must also say that not only do we share the same human nature that is a mirror to us of the divine life; we are also created of the same earth.

The earth belongs to all, and this particular earth of the Holy Land is not only our common home, it is our common origin. We were “formed from the dust of the earth” (Gen. 2:7), and this common origin must unite us in a new common purpose to work together for the well-being and the flourishing of all who call the Holy Land their home.

Because we are all created from the same earth, we are also all subject not just to the same corruption, but also to the same transformation. As we read in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves… groan inwardly while we wait for adoption,

for the redemption of our bodies.

(Rom. 8:22-23)

On this earth that we share, from which we take our common origin, we must also take a stand together, united for the sake of peace and reconciliation, and refusing to let any other concern deflect us from the task of building a society here,  where all can live in peace, security and mutual flourishing.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

21 December 2015

Your Excellency, Mr. Levin, Your Eminences,

Distinguished Members of the Ministry of Tourism,

Fellow Religious Leaders,

Your Graces,

Reverend Fathers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Once again we gather in this festive Season of Light to celebrate our respective religious traditions and to welcome the New Year. On behalf of the Churches of the Holy Land and of the religious leadership of all our diverse communities, we are grateful to you, Mr. Levin, for this reception, and for the focus that it gives us at this time of the year.

We welcome many thousands of pilgrims every year to Jerusalem and the Holy Land from many different religious traditions. The essential identity of Jerusalem depends on its rich religious heritage, a heritage that embraces Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike, and in this respect, the Church of Jerusalem, which is the Church of the blood both of the prophets and of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a beacon for all.

The mission of the Church has been, and continues to be, the maintaining of the ecumenical uniqueness of the Holy City of Jerusalem, to which all are welcome without distinction. For Jerusalem is the spiritual home of all humanity, and it is the river of grace to which all come to drink:

As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, Ο God.

(Ps. 42: l)

The Psalmist articulates for us the universal human longing for God, a longing that it is the divine destiny of Jerusalem to fulfill for all. This is not a metaphor, but a profound reality, and this reality is shown in the ongoing – indeed, increasing – flow of pilgrims to these walls. This unbroken procession of pilgrims, which has existed since antiquity, builds the mission and identity of Jerusalem as the city of peace and reconciliation.

Jerusalem gathers the peoples of many nations and affiliations, as again the Psalmist tells us:

Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself; to which the tribes of the whole world go up, to praise the name of the Lord.

(Ps. 121 [122]: 3-4)

This mission requires our vigilance if it is to keep its integrity, and we are all called to strengthen this mission. It is a truth that the vast majority of tourists to the Holy Land are pilgrims, and we must always keep before us the vital role we all play in ensuring that all people of good will, without distinction, may continue to find here in Jerusalem and in the Holy Land, the spiritual refreshment and renewal for which they so desire.

We stand united in our condemnation of terrorism of any kind, from whatever quarter it comes. Jerusalem must always be a beacon of peace and harmony between peoples, especially at this season when the world looks to Jerusalem in hope.

We wish you, Your Excellency, and the staff of the Ministry, a very happy New Year, and we pray God’s blessing on all the peoples and communities of our beloved Holy Land. Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Monday the 8^th/21^st of December 2015, during a meeting of Jerusalem’s Heads of Churches, their attendants and other guests, organized by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed guests in English , see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/12/21/18975

From the Secretariat-General

21 December 2015

Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Eminences,

Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Entourage,

Your Graces,

Reverend Fathers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we prepare in this season to celebrate in the Holy Land the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we welcome you warmly to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. You have come to the Mother of all the Churches, and in witness to the Incarnate Light of God, the Church of Jerusalem is always engaged in spreading the Gospel of peace, love, and reconciliation to the whole world.

We are glad that in Albania, after a long period of totalitarian rule in the 20^th century, the freedom of religious expression and worship has been restored. We pray that this crucial liberty may always be supported and strengthened, as it is crucial for the well-being of any nation. Indeed we have been a witness to its progress in your country, when we were present in 2012 with Archbishop Anastasios for the consecration of the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana. This event was a landmark in the modern history of Albania, and a recognition of the deep Christian roots of the region.

We take special pride in our close relationship with the Orthodox Church of Albania and our brother, Archbishop Anastasios. The Orthodox Church is playing a vital role in promoting the multi-cultural and multi-religious society of your country, and Archbishop Anastasios is deeply committed to the well-being of Albania and all her peoples.

We recognize the special relationship that Albania enjoys with the State of Israel, not least because of the role that Albania played in protecting its Jewish population during the Second World War. As you foster this important relationship, we take this opportunity to remind you that the integrity of Jerusalem depends in large measure on the place and the role of the Patriarchate, which remains the oldest, continuously functioning religious institution in the Holy Land.   So your visit to the Patriarchate, as well as your mission to the State of Israel and the Holy Land, opens a new door in our deepening relationship.

It is always important that we remember that the Holy Land embraces a diversity of peoples, cultures, religions, and ethnicities, and in particular the followers of the Abrahamic faiths, that is Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

We welcome many thousands of pilgrims to the Holy Land every year, and we look forward to welcoming even more pilgrims from Albania. Pilgrimage is one of the most effective ways of strengthening the bonds between peoples and nations with our region, we welcome you, Mr. Prime Minister, not only as a political leader, but as a pilgrim yourself.

We wish you success in your mission here, and we pray for God’s blessing on you, your family, and all the people of your beloved Albania.

In recognition of the special relationship that exists between the Patriarchate and the Church and people of Albania, we wish to bestow on you the decoration of the Order of the High Cross of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

 Patriarch of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 21 December 2015

Today Bethlehem welcomes

the one who sits for ever by the Father,

today angels godly praise

the born infant,

glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace,

good will to people.

(Idiomelon of Christmas Matins).

The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church of Christ across the world celebrates today as it pastorally declares to its members and peacefully attests to the world a marvellous and splendid event that transcends every human concept, perception and power.

This event is the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is the realization of the nations’ expectations. God, in His infinite love, oversaw the years of man’s ignorance, forgave his committed sins and transgressions and invited him to a new divine life for which he had been made from the very beginning, “And the Lord hath sent redemption to His people” (Psalm 110, 9).

Redemption is the Only-Begotten Son and Word of God. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as Sons”(Galatians 4, 4) according to the Apostle Paul. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and out of His fullness we all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1, 14&16), according to the Evangelist of love.

The incarnation of the Logos, His investment in human flesh, was not performed in compliance with the laws of nature as – “where God wishes so, the order of nature is overcome” – but according to the will of the Father, a Holy Spirit descended upon Mariam, the Virgin daughter of Nazareth, and she conceived the Son of God as man. The Son of God became the Son of man too, he was incarnate and personified. Mariam bore the Messiah, Christ, in the flesh. The event took place in this town of Bethlehem, at this plain Cavern under the reign of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus Octavianus.

This “strange and paradoxical mystery” is indeed God’s loving and healing descent towards man. Through Jesus Christ, God “descended into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephes. 4, 9) so that man may be restored to the godlike beauty before the fall, and rise to the heavens. According to St Cyril of Alexandria, “God, who exists outside the ecumene, has come to it and made the human soul alike so that it be cleansed from sin, and He took on the human form so that man be made a citizen of heaven”.

To this mystery God had called for accomplices, helpers and witnesses. His accomplice was the ever-virgin Mary so that she might lend her flesh to His Son. Joseph was her helper and protector, the one who had accompanied Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then Mary and the divine infant from Bethlehem to Egypt. His witnesses had been the magi, wise kings of the Persians, led by a star, and the simple shepherds dwelling in the adjacent town of the Shepherds. God had also called as witnesses angels from heaven, proclaiming the mystery with the hymn “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace, good will to people” (Luke 2, 14).

This angelic hymn proclaimed God’s good will to men, “and through Him to reconcile to himself all things” (Colossians 1, 20) and “to unite all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1, 10), the Incarnate and Personified, “because in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the deity in bodily form” (Colossians 2, 9), “so that in Christ they shall be brought to fullness” (Colossians 2, 10) and “they are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household” (Ephesians 2, 19), in His body of the Church, “of which He is the head” (Colossians 1, 18).

Opposite this mystery of man’s divinization by grace where he is “co-heir” (Romans 8, 17) with the Incarnate Jesus Christ, men have took various stances. Some, as the magi and the shepherds, rejoice upon the angelic proclamation and venerate the born infant. Others, as Herod the maniac, an imitator of the devil and killer of men, doubt and question and uncritically and indiscriminately chase away men from their paternal homes, violently and en masse, persecuting and murdering innocent children, youth, old, in contempt of human life made by God. To escape Herod’s mania, on divine encouragement, Christ fled to Egypt, demonstrating through his flee the vulnerability of His human body which, after all, would endure the holy passion on the cross before “annulling the vulnerability with His resurrection from the dead” according to St Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Hideous incidents of violence at the expense of Christians and other innocent fellow humans in the region of the Middle East and across the world are denounced by the Church of Christ. The Church denounces war and violence, advocating peace for those near and those far. Though persecuted, it does not persecute but prays for its persecutors. Through Baptism it accepts man in its body, the body of Christ, and blesses and cultivates and formulates man as a peaceful person believing that “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5, 9).

The word of peace, justice, conciliation and exchange and the beginning of God’s reign on earth, already experienced within the Church, is declared on this universal feast of Christianity by the Mother of Churches from the Sacred Cavern and the Holy Manger in the Basilica of the Nativity, preserved through the centuries as the apple of the eye, with wishes to the congregation within its jurisdiction and pious pilgrims across the world for the blessing, strengthening and grace of the Lord of peace and justice, the Angel of God’s great will, the Incarnate, Personified and Born by the Virgin in the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Holy Town of Bethlehem,

CHRISTMAS  2015

Ardently blesser in the Lord,

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On the evening of Sunday, the 30^th of November/13^th 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

On the evening of Saturday, the 29^th of November/12^th of December 2015, the Patriarchate’s Amman Office of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a charity dinner with the aim of securing financial aid for Syrian refugees, as two millions of them reside in refugee camps in Jordan.

Heading the event was the Director of the aforementioned Amman Office, Ms Wafa Gousous.

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem honoured the event with His presence. He was accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of former Zambia, the Patriarchate’s Liaison with Arabic-speaking media, f. Issa Mousleh, the Hegoumen in Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos, and Archdeacon Evlogios. Diplomatic representatives of Russia, Japan and other countries attended the event, as well as the Secretary-General of the MECC, f. Michel Jalakh, the representative of the Patriarchate of Antioch to the MECC, f. Samer Lahham and others.

The event, that followed a similar charity organized by UCLAN Cyprus University under the title Christian Experience, was attended by many eager to contribute in favour of refugees.

Patriarch Theophilos addressed guests in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/12/12/18868

Addresses were also made by the Secretary-General of the MECC, the Head of the Armenian Catholic Church, and Ms Wafa Gousous.

After dinner, guests visited an exhibition featuring items made by refugees and their children. Proceeds from the sale of items will be used for the financial support of refugees.

From the Secretariat-General

12 December 2015

Your Eminences,

Esteemed Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Respected Leaders of NGOs in this region,

Reverend Fathers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this season of hope as we prepare for the great Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are here on this occasion to bring hope to some of the neediest in our midst. The words of the prophet Isaiah speak loudly to us:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

Those who lived in a land of deep darkness-

on them light has shined

Isaiah 9:2

The displaced people in our midst, from Syria, Iraq and other countries around us, have been living and walking in darkness for some time now, and they look to God for the hope that the light of the incarnation brings to the world. They look also to all of us to be agents of that hope, and for the very practical assistance that they need to survive the horrors of war, persecution, violence and exile from their homes.

This “ Christmas Experience”, which has been organized by Ms. Wafa Goussous and our Patriarchal Office here in Amman is just one of the many ways, in which the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is engaged in humanitarian aid to the displaced community in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. As we know, the situation of the displaced has reached crisis proportions, and it puts an unbearable strain on the resources of the local infrastructure. The present situation requires the immediate and ongoing support of the international community as well as of local agencies so that all may be provided for.

As we extend this helping hand today to the displaced community in our midst, we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we are preparing to celebrate once again, was Himself a displaced person, and for the same reason as those who are displaced today. In the face of persecution and possible death, the infant Christ was taken by Saint Joseh and his Most Holy Mother into exile in Egypt, where they lived until it was eventually safe for them to return to their homes.

This is our prayer also for the displaced community, that after their exile here and elsewhere, then may at last be able to return to their homes and re-built their lives in their communities, where in many cases they and their families have lived for generations. In this time of their displacement, they must know from all of us that they are not alone, that we stand with them in their tragedy, and that we are working not only for their eventual return to their ancient homelands, but are also giving them effective support to flourish while they are living among us.

In this season of hope, we renew our call to the international community, to governments and the diplomatic service, to do all in their power to continue and to broaden the services that need to be provided here and elsewhere in the region for the displaced community. These services include proper housing, educational institutions and programs, medical provision, employment training and opportunities, and especially a range of supports for children and young people to ensure that they do not slip through the cracks into the hands of those who will abuse them, recruit them into radical extremist groups, and perpetuate the horror that has gripped our region.

We are encouraged that the Foreign Ministry of Greece is establishing an Office for an Observer to monitor the situation in the Middle East, especially as it affects the Christian population of our various countries here. This is a positive and necessary step.

However, we cannot lose our focus. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is able to make a modest contribution in support of the displaced community, but this contribution of the Church has a huge moral impact. We have the advantage of being able to deliver aid directly to those in need, without huge overheads and complicated bureaucracy. And because we are not affiliated with any government, and because ours is a spiritual and humanitarian mission and not a political one, we are open to partnerships with all. Through our Office in Amman, our staff, our clergy, and our local communities, we are able to reach the displaced quickly and effectively, and we invite other agencies to partner with us. Together we can have a much greater impact than any of us can have on our own. We stand ready. Help us to help those most in need. There is no time to lose in this work, and history will judge harshly those who stood by.

It is in our power to help to redeem a desperate situation for hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. The pressure that we are under in this region has the potential to bring together both Christians of different Churches and confessions, as well as people of good will across the divides of faith, culture and ethnicity. As Christians we remember the words of Saint Paul, who said:

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.  For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ”

May God bless the work that is done here, and may God prosper us all as we seek to bring the light of hope at a time of darkness.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem.

On Saturday, the 19^th of November/12^th of December 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the context of a pastoral visit to Jordan, arrived at the Patriarchate’s Bishopric in the town of Irbid in Northern Jordan, the See of the Patriarchal Commissioner in N. Jordan, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella.

The Patriarch was warmly welcomed by the Mayoral and Prefectural Authorities, the Boy Scouts, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, priests and the people.

His Beatitude went on to lead the Matins and divine Liturgy having as concelebrants: Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of former Zambia, Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen in Fhes, the parish’s vicars, presbyter Abdullah Marji and Archimandrite Christophoros, spiritual father at the Monastery of the Life-giving Spring in Dibin, and priests in Irbid. The church’s choir sang in the Byzantine style and a crowd of Orthodox attended the service. To the pious congregation, Patriarch Theophilos preached the Word of God in Greek, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2015/12/12/29848

And in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/12/13/16820

Many among the faithful partook in the sacrament of the Holy Communion for their strengthening, blessing and salvation.

Before the apolysis, His Beatitude offered a fine icon of Theotokos for St George Church in Irbid, an engolpion to the Patriarchal Commissioner, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, and a pectoral cross to f. Abdullah Marji. His Eminence Philoumenos offered the Patriarch an Archbishop’s staff.

The divine Liturgy was followed by reception at the hegoumen’s quarters, where Patriarch Theophilos offered icons to all present, and was addressed by f. Abdullah on behalf of the Community and Archbishop Philoumenos. Youth representatives offered the Patriarch a commemorative plaque with Irbid’s emblem before Patriarch Theophilos addressed guests in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/12/11/16845

After the Patriarch’s speech, the Patriarchal Commissioner extended thanks for His moral and financial support of the Community of Irbid, particularly for the construction of the Church and adjacent halls.

The event was followed by lunch hosted by Archbishop Philoumenos in honour of the Patriarch and His attendants.

From the Secretariat-General

A. Visit to Fhes

On Friday the 28^th of November/11^th 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