On the afternoon of Friday the 20^th of June/3^rd of July 2015, the Interdisciplinary Conference on “The Musical Manuscripts in the Collection of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchal Library of Jerusalem” began its deliberations at the Notre Dame Hotel, in the vicinity of the New Gate. The Conference took place at the initiative of researchers Demetrios Balageorgos and Flora Kritikou of the Department of Music Studies of the School of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

The opening ceremony featured a choir performance under the direction of Mr Balageorgos, in the Byzantine style of Resurrection Hymns.

Then, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem blessed the workings of the Conference, addressing guests in Greek.

In English, His address may be reached here:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/07/03/15463

Scientific announcements were made on both days in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, Hagiotaphite Fathers, Primates, Priests, monks, nuns and an audience from the Greek parish of Jerusalem as well as members of the Arabic and Israeli community.

From the Secretariat-General

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3-7-2015

Distinguished Members of the Scholarly Team,

Respected Participants in this Conference,

Your Eminences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We greet you at the beginning of this important conference with the words of the Psalmist:

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live,

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

For I rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 103 (104): 34–35

We are delighted to welcome you to the Holy City of Jerusalem and to give our bressing to this significant inter-disciplinary conference that is dedicated to the manuscripts in the collection of the Patriarchal Library of Jerusalem. The Patriarchal Library houses one of the most important collections of manuscripts and printed books in the world.

In this collection is a significant group of musical manuscripts. These musical manuscripts are a double treasure. First of all, these manuscripts constitute

In this collection is a significant group of musical manuscripts. These musical manuscripts are a double treasure. First of all, these manuscripts constitute an inestimable heritage from our forebears in the Church of Jerusalem. We have received this heritage from generations of faithful clergy and people down the ages ,who have kept the Christian faith alive in our region, and these manuscripts are a part of the evidence of a flourishing Christian presence in the Holy Land.

In addition to this, these manuscripts are treasure-trove of primary witnesses to the tradition of church music, that was developped by and cultivated in the great ascetical center of the Holy Monastery of Saint Saba the Sanctified, one of the oldest monasteries in continuous use in the world. Here so many distinguished teachers of music and composers of church music lived and worked, among them Saint John of Damascus, Saint Cosmas the Hymnographer and Saint Andrew of Crete. The Holy Monastery of Saint Saba was the centre of the formation of the Typikon , a deep and abiding influence on the worship of the Orthodox Church that continues to this day.

The great tradition of Orthodox hymnody in its priestly and liturgical aspects lives still in the Holy Monastery of Saint Saba, as it does in Orthodox Monasteries and Churches around the world. But so much of this tradition began here in the Holy Land. It is worth mentioning that the signing of church music in the lavra remains strictly a capella, whith no instrumental support, as is the special character of Orthodox church music and worship.

It is said that “he who sings prays twice”. We know the special value and power of music in Christian worship, and Orthodoc worship places a special premium on singing. Music can convey a sense of the divine in a way that the spoken word alone cannot convey. All Orthodox worship is sung or chanted. While it is true that some prayers are read in a speaking voice, Orthodox worship is famous for the haunting beauty of its musical traditions, traditions that in most cases go back to the very emergence of the Byzantine tradition represented by the Typicon of Saint Saba.

The Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with the hegoumenoi of our monasteries never abandoned their concern for protecting and preserving the great manuscript collection of the Patriarchate, that includes manuscripts of dogmatic, hermeneutical, historical and musical traditions and teaching. The Brotherhood exercised this stewardship and diakonia in the ace of untold sacrifices of blood and money over the centuries. And so this invaluable patrimony remains.

As we open this conference, we celebrate the new co-operation that now exists between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Faculty of Music of the National and Kapodistrian Univercity of Athens to facilitate the scholarly study of the musical manuscripts of the Patriarchal Library. We believe firmly that this work will contribute on the one hand to making this great heritage better known to the wider world and on the other will advance our understanding of the choral tradition of Orthodox music and hymnody. At its heart, Orthodox music is communal activity: the entire congregation is meant to join in the signing of the liturgical music. In the Orthodox tradition, in spite of much contemporary practice, the music of the liturgy is to be sung by all, and not by a small choir of trained cantors or singer. In the Orthodox tradition, music coheres the worshipping community and helps to create a sense of the unity of the congregation. Your work will help us understand more completely all the dynamics of the traditions of Orthodox music.

As we open this conference , we pray for divine enlightenment on the work of all the scholars and the organisers of the conference. We wish to express our gratitude particularly to Mr. Demetrios Balageorgos and Miss Flora Kritikou, Assistant Proffessor. May God bless you all, and may the grace of the Holy and Life –giving Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you in your work and research.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

Theophilos lll

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Thursday, the 19^th of June/2^nd of July 2015, a group of fifty Arabic-speaking Greek Orthodox faithful from the city of Fhes, Jordan, a suburb of Amman, visited the Patriarchate. They were headed by their vicar, Steward Jiriesh.

The members of the group were welcomed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who went on to speak to them of our Orthodox faith.

On the conclusion of the visit, His Beatitude offered Jerusalemite eulogias to all.

Having received the Patriarch’s blessings, the pious pilgrims carried on their pilgrimage at the hallowed Cave of Bethlehem and the Lord’s Life-giving Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General 

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During the period between the 5^th/18^th of June and the 11^th/24^th of June 2015, Patriarch Theophilos welcomed the following visitors at the Patriarchate:

1. On the 5^th/18^th of June, the American Consul to Jerusalem, Mr Michael Ratney, who offered His Beatitude a photograph of the Holy Sepulchre during the Holy Light ceremony.
2. On the 7^th/20^th of June, f. Nikolaos Bassal, priest in Abu Snan and member of the town’s Community Council, on whom the Patriarch bestowed the rank of Steward.
3. On the 11^th/24^th of June, the Most Reverend Narcissus, Metropolitan of Nubia, accompanied by Archimandrite f. Narcissus, Hegoumen in Beit-Jalla.
4. Similarly, on the 11^th/24^th of June, the Most Reverend Peter, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and his attendants.

During the aforementioned meetings, His Beatitude referred to the educational work performed by the Patriarchate as well as to the various institutions operating in the Holy Land under its aegis.

On the conclusion of the meetings, the Patriarch offered his distinguished visitors presents of His love.

From the Secretariat-General

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On the afternoon of Saturday, the 7^th/20^th of June 2015, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the town of Kufr Yaseef in Northern Israel. The Arabic-speaking community there recently founded a school for 300 elementary and high school students, by the subvention of the Patriarchate. The Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the President of the Patriarchate’s Arabic Schools in Israel, Archimandrite Ieronymos, the Arabic-speaking media liaison, Protopresbyter Issa Mousleh, and Archimandrite Paisios, visiting from Mount Sinai.

The purpose of this pastoral visit was the presentation of diplomas to the forty graduates of the ninth grade.

The graduation ceremony took place in a lavish green area of the adjacent town of Melia.

The Patriarch was warmly welcomed to this well-organized ceremony that began with a parade of the graduates and went on with addresses by the School Principal, Protopresbyter Theodosios Mahoul, the Music teacher, and representatives of students in Greek, Arabic, English and Polish. Father Issa Mousleh read the Patriarch’s address in Arabic, before He awarded diplomas to the students, with wishes for progress in their lyceum studies.

On the conclusion of the ceremony, the Community hosted the Patriarchal retinue to dinner.

From the Secretariat-General

During the period between 30 May and 3 June 2015 (12-16 June 2015), Patriarch Theophilos met at the Patriarchate with, among others:

1. Professors at the University of Bucharest, Ms Madeea Axincic, Director of the Religious Studies Program, and Mr Mihai Coman, from the Department of Icon-Painting, who offered the Patriarch an icon of Theotokos.
2. The Principal and students of the Patriarchal School of Zion, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 2014-2015 academic year.
3. Mr Constantinos Triantafyllou, Director of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), having its seat in Baltimore, USA.

All guests were cordially welcomed by the Patriarch, who went on to inform them on the recent activities of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Students received His blessings for their upcoming exams, as well as wishes for a return to the Holy City and inclusion in the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. The Patriarch also extended wishes for the enrolment of more students at the Patriarchal School for the next academic year.

Jerusalemite eulogias were offered to all visitors.

From the Secretariat-General

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On Tuesday, the 3^rd/16^th of June 2015, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama, a descendant of parents from the martyric Pontus, visited the Patriarchate. He was leading a group of fifty priests and laymen from his congregation.

The guests were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, the Metropolitan of Drama expressed his joy for returning to the Holy Shrines and in particular the Holy Monastery of Hojeva, now under renovation.

On His part, the Patriarch praised Metropolitan Pavlos as a distinguished Primate of the Church of Greece, considered by the Hagiotaphites as one of them, owing to his vivid and tangible interest in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, manifested through visits to the Holy Shrines, especially the Holy Sepulcher that had received the Crucified and Resurrected Lord.

Through the Holiness of Jerusalem and the sanctifying work of the Church, the city’s inhabitants and visitors are also blessed.

For his contribution to the Patriarchate, His Beatitude bestowed the medal of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher upon Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama.

The Metropolitan thanked the Patriarch for this significant honor and wished for God to enable all pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Land to experience His glory through the martyria bearing witness to the Orthodox faith and History of the Holy Shrines.

From the Secretariat-General

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On Sunday, the 1^st/14^th of June 2015, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Anastasiades, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by his esteemed wife and associates of his. Ms Andri Anastasiadou had participated in the Divine Liturgy at the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, led by His Eminence Methodios, Archbishop of Tabor.

His Excellency the President was welcomed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers and Patriarchal School students.

In His address, the Patriarch talked of the contribution of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem towards the preservation of the existing multinational, multi-religious and inter-communal political status quo of the Holy City of Jerusalem, recognized by all interested parties. He also pointed out that the historic course of the troubled island of Cyprus is interwoven with the course of the Middle East in general and the Holy Land in particular, adding “We say this because your visit to the state of Israel takes place at a time when in our neighbouring countries, Christians are being displaced from their homelands and persecuted mercilessly, but also at a time of inhuman killing and fratricide”. His Beatitude assured the Cypriot President of the Patriarchate’s prayers for the prevalence of peace and the harmonious coexistence of peoples in our region and the world in general, especially for the liberation and unification of Cyprus.

President Anastasiades was decorated with the Peace Medal, bestowed on distinguished personalities, in recognition of his support of the Holy Sepulcher and the Patriarchate.

Mr Anastasiades thanked the Patriarch for this honour and pledged, from a position requiring first and foremost the promotion and resolution of the Cyprus question, to always support the interests of the Patriarchate, especially within the Cyprus Exarchate and other property owned by the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus.

From the Secretariat-General

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During the period between May 20^th/June 2^nd and May 27^th/June 9^th, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, met at the Patriarchate with, among others:

1. Ms Photini Tomai, Director of the Historical Archive of the Hellenic Foreign Ministry.
2. The new Director of the Swedish Center of Jerusalem, Ms Ann-Sofie Lasel, and Mr Lars Lingius, on the occasion of his retirement.
3. His Excellency the Ukrainian Ambassador, Mr Nadolenko Gennadi.
4. Representatives of the Palestinian Society with the Acting Head of the Russian Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Theophanes.

These esteemed guests were welcomed by the Patriarch, who informed them on the critical situation in the Middle East and the Patriarchate’s stabilizing and peacemaking role towards the maintenance of the pilgrimage status quo and the protection of Christians in the Holy Land.

In the context of the visits, guests were offered presents of His Beatitude’s love as well as Jerusalemite eulogias before carrying on their pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

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May 19, 2015

We greet you this morning to express our appreciation for the police authority’s initiative to open a station in such a religiously essential location of our beloved Holy City

We in the Holy Land, who share Abrahamic heritage and tradition, know that Jerusalem shines to the world as an example of authentic symbiosis and peace amid diversity. But we also know from experience that in our mission to maintain accessibility of holy places to all people, there will always be a need for order and security.

Bearing this in mind, We hope that this thoughtful move on behalf of the police authority will be a starting point for Our mission to further bear fruits in this outstanding, yet sensitive, holy place.

As one of the most important destinations in the Holy Land for all religious communities, especially Jews, Muslims and Christians, it should be said that Mount Zion is a place that is indeed powerfully connected with the descent of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is within these very days that the Church celebrates Holy Pentecost, a religious observance that has roots in the Old Testament and continues to be observed by both Jews and Christians.

Mount Zion, “the holy habitation of the- Almighty (Psalms 46-4),” i.e., the Holy Spirit is a beacon, like the burning bush of the Old Testament, enlightening those who venerate this holy place, and consuming those who desecrate it. For, on this very Mount is the Tomb of David and the Upper Room, where the disciples of Jesus Christ were gathered and awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit.

We wish you success in your mission to safeguard the holy places and all the inhabitants of our beloved Holy City of Jerusalem.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem