On Thursday, the 24^th of April/7 May 2015, a Royal Jordanian Delegation visited the Patriarchate.

The members of the Royal Governmental Delegation were accompanied by Jordan’s Ambassador to Israel, Mr Walid Obeidat, and Jordan’s representative for Islamic and Christian Holy Sites and WAQF President, Mr Azam Hadib.

The distinguished guests were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in the presence of Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Hierodeacon f. Markos.

Discussed in the context of the visit were the harmonious relations between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Royal Hashemite Family of Jordan, as well as the protection offered to Christian citizens in the state of Jordan.

From the Secretariat-General

May 6, 2015

“The one who saved the children from the furnace became man and suffered like a mortal. And through His passion, He dresses mortality with the grace of incorruption. The one who is the blessed and most glorified God of our fathers,” says Saint John of Damascus.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Great Martyr Saint George was dressed in the grace of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, and we gather together on this joyful paschal day of mesopentikosti (i.e. the middle of Pentecost), in this sacred church of the delegation of our sister church of Romania in Jerusalem so that we, in the framework of the Divine Liturgy and Holy Eucharest, may confess with the Psalmist, “the Lord reigned through his resurrection and He dressed us with grace” (Psalm 92:1).

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who saved creation from the furnace, indeed suffered as a mortal who became man for us. Through His passion on the cross and through His resurrection, He resurrects our human nature in Him, which had been corrupted and delivered to the power of death. This means that the resurrection of Christ opened the way and the horizon for the real existence of man. For as Saint Basil says, “He rose on the third day and opened for every man the way to resurrection from death.” In the words of the hymnographer, “Lord, you tasted death according to the flesh, and you cut the bitterness of death by your resurrection and strengthened us, restoring victory over the old curse” (book of Pentecost, Sunday of the Paralytic, Kathisma of Matins).

The great martyr George, who is honoured today, became a participant in the passion of the Cross of Christ and His resurrection because he was a zealot for the eternal kingdom, i.e. for the grace of incorruption.

The martyrdom by either blood or by consciousness of all friends of Christ, including the Great Martyr Saint George, serves as a strong and undeniable witness throughout the ages of the history of humankind. On one side, His resurrection gives an answer to the existential death of man. From another side, it determines the fullness and purpose of the life of the man who lives in Christ because man was created by God “according to His image and likeness” (Gen 1:26). On this point, the distinguished father of the Church Saint Gregory the Theologian says, “Christ becomes poor by receiving my flesh so that I become rich in his divinity. The complete becomes empty. He humbles himself of His glory so that I become full in Him. What richness of mercy is this! What is this kind of mystery which happens to me? I received the image and I did not preserve it; He receives my flesh so that he saves the image and makes the flesh eternal.”

The Great Martyr Saint George, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, i.e. the Spirit of Christ, and looking toward heavenly realities, brought himself in front of the idolater persecutor, the Roman emperor Diocletian, and said courageously, according to the witness of his servant Pasicrates, “Be ashamed, all of you who foolishly deny the son of God and Creator of all. You who make into gods the filthy demons and idols which are empty of life and spirit and speech. If you are convinced by me and if you abandon darkness, come to the holy light, and abandon the false religion. Come to the truth, which is the knowledge of our real God, the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom you will reach blessed glory, which is eternity. Your glory is vain like the grass that dries up. I am not quiet and I cannot tolerate when God is defamed. For me, the first and most honoured name is to be called Christian and a servant of Christ, through whom we pass this current life and land at the port of eternal life – the kingdom of Christ.

This confession of Saint George shows that he became the faithful friend of Christ until even martyrdom. He became an imitator of the passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave his soul for the life of the world. In addition to this, the confession of Saint George is a living witness of the real Light, which dissolves the darkness. For as Saint John the Evangelist says “In Him there was life, and this life was the light of men, and the light shines through darkness and the darkness cannot prevail over it” (John 1:4-5). The light of Christ shined over even those darkened by the sin and deceit of men, enlightening them. But there were men living in darkness who did not understand and did not embrace it. However, they could not destroy it and have victory over it. This happens exactly today in our time, in our Christian reality.

Today, my dear brothers and sisters, on this occasion of the memory of the Great Martyr Saint George, we are joyful. The Church of Holy Zion is glad, as is the pure Theotokos and Mother of God, in light of the unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic Orthodox Church in this gathering of the Eucharist and of communion of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleanses us from all sin”

(1 John 1:7).

Let us beseech the Great Martyr of the love of Christ, Saint George, and let us say with the hymnographer, “You blessed martyr, you are indeed shined upon by the light of the holy trinity, as an undefeated martyr and as a defender of piety, a victor, crowned by God. You who are in heaven, save those who honour you and grant peace in the world and in our region, through your intercessions. Christ is Risen!

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

The third Sunday after Easter, on the 13^th/26^th of April 2015, also known as Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, the Patriarchate celebrated the deposition of the Lord from the cross by his secret disciples, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, as well as the anointment of His body with aloes, its wrapping in a winding sheet and burial in a new tomb “where no one had ever been laid” (John 19, 41).

Α. In Remle – Ancient Arimathea

This event was commemorated by the Patriarchate in present-day Remle, the ancient Arimathea where Joseph hailed from.

In this big town, the Greek Orthodox Arab-speaking community numbers approximately 3.000 faithful.

On the morning of the feast, His Beatitude Theophilos was welcomed to the town by Archimandrite Nephon, Hegoumen of St Joseph Monastery, the Community President Ms Frida Manase and members of the Community Council.

Patriarch Theophilos led the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Archbishops of Joppe, Constantina and Lydda, Archimandrite Nephon, Hieromonks, priests from Joppe, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Dionysios. In attendance was the representative of the Greek Embassy in Tel Aviv, Mr Gennimatas, as well as a big crowd of Community members.

To this pious congregation the Patriarch preached the Word of God in Greek.

The Divine Liturgy was followed by a reception at the Hegoumen’s quarters whilst Archimandrite Nephon and the Community Council hosted guests to lunch at noon.

During lunch, His Beatitude praised Archimandrite Nephon and made a donation towards the continuation of restoration works at the school, the Monastery and the Church.

B. At St James Cathedral

The feast of the Myrrhbearers was also observed in St James Cathedral, at the chapel of the Myrrhbearers.

The Divine Liturgy was led by Archbishop Theodosios of Sebaste, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang in Greek and St James Choir sang in Arabic in the presence of the Greek Consul-General, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. In attendance was the Arab-speaking congregation of the Church but also members of the Greek Parish, nuns and pilgrims.

During Communion, Archbishop Theodosios underlined the dedication and bravery of the Myrrhbearing women, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, the Lord’s disciple by night.

After His Eminence’s speech, Mr Ibrahim Salphiti presented the charitable activities of the Cathedral and of the “Myrrhbearers Association” on behalf of the Church Board.

On the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence and the congregation were hosted to a reception in a hall recently renovated at the expenses of Mr Noura Korte, where addresses were made on the occasion of the feast.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1EUWBSZSbdc

httpv://youtu.be/3DMp7Ed8tNE

httpv://youtu.be/YNgpx33LOZQ

On Saturday the 12^th/24^th of April 2015, a group of fifty pilgrims, most of them Cretans, but also Greeks of the American diaspora and “Archons” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led by Metropolitan Eugenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos.

The esteemed pilgrims were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Both Metropolitan Eugenios of Rethymnon and the Head of the Archons, Archon Eutaxias, Mr John Manos, addressed the Patriarch and expressed joy over having fulfilled their wish to visit the Holy Land, especially the Lord’s Life-Giving Holy Sepulcher, and receive blessings. As tokens of their love, appreciation and respect, they offered His Beatitude gifts of Cretan art and a painting of the historical Monastery of Arkadion.

Thanking them, His Beatitude pointed out that pilgrims visiting the Holy Lands are blessed as they receive sanctification through the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Whose blood had drenched this land.

Patriarch Theophilos expressed His own joy for the words of the Most Reverend Eugenios, Metropolitan of Rethymnon, and of the “Archons” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, a point of reference for the Greek genus.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/R3zpoaxW1so

At 4:00 pm of Friday the 11^th/24^th of April 2015, the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem held a ceremony on the Holy Sepulcher to commemorate the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide committed by Turkey. The ceremony took place with the agreement of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Franciscan Monks in accordance with the pilgrimage status.

The ceremony was led by the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem, Mr Nurhan Manoukian. In attendance were Armenian Primates and clerics and other guests, as the Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem, the Diplomatic Corps, the representative of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr Cezar Margiye and others.

Before the conclusion of the ceremony, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed attendants in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/24/13868

From the Secretariat-General

24 April 2015

Your Beatitude Patriarch Nourhan,

Your Eminences,

Your Graces,

Beloved Members of our Respective Brotherhoods,

Dear Members of the Armenian Community of the Holy Land,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We gather on this solemn occasion to remember one of the great atrocities of the 20^th century – a century that was marked by many horrendous acts of man’s inhumanity to man. What the world calls the Armenian Genocide, you call in your own language the “Great Crime,” and the memory of this crime has marked the soul of the Armenian people around the world.

Today we pray first for the victims of this terrible policy of extermination. May their memories be eternal, and may their witness be an inspiration. The Armenian community lost many of its greatest intellectuals and leaders, as well as other innocent men, women and children in this action, and indeed many of those who today call Jerusalem and the Holy Land their home are here because of being displaced from their former homes.

But this is a commemoration in which the Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem also shares in a special way. For during the Ottoman persecution that was so devastating to the Armenian community, thousands of Pontos Greeks and Assyrians in the former Ottoman Empire also suffered death and exile. We therefore partake in your grief and remember a time that was so devastating to so many of our respective communities and in our region. For as Saint Paul says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor. 12:26).

This commemoration reminds us once again that the age of prejudice and persecution has not ended. In our own day, and in our own region, people are still persecuted, terrorized, exiled, and martyred for their ethnic identity and religious affiliation. Our sadness on this occasion must be tempered by vigilance and resolve. Today’s commemoration is a stark reminder to us that we must always condemn persecution, violence, and terrorism in any form, and to promote respect for all human life, especially as we all share a common human nature and a common destiny.

We assure you and your community, Your Beatitude, of our special prayers today for the victims of this atrocity, and we pray for a deepening of the spirit of mutual respect among peoples of different ethnicities and religious traditions, both in our region and around the world. Our common work and witness to the Light that shines from the Holy Tomb during this Holy Season of Pascha is our most powerful weapon against the forces of darkness and evil in our world. For as Saint Paul says, “Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12).

May God bless you, Your Beatitude, the Brotherhood of Saint James, and all the people of the Armenian community in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

Christ is Risen!

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS  III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Thursday, the 10^th/23^rd of April 2015, a group of 22 students from the Alimos Music School, participants in the “In search of sounds on the Holy Land and beyond the Jordan” programme, led by their Music Teacher Ms Ioanna Angelou, visited Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by their teachers.

In the context of their visit, the Students Choir sang ecclesiastical hymns and His Beatitude’s Polycrhonism. On His part, the Patriarch wished the students every success with their performance at the Prophet Elias Holy Monastery scheduled for Friday the 9th/24th of April, at 6:00 pm.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Nq7-w4HE6l4

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

16 April 2015-10 am

Your Excellency Mr. Ambassador, Mr. Schneider,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Rabbi Negrin,

Mr. Constantinis,

Mr. Batis,

Leaders of the B’nai B’rith Organization,

Esteemed Guests from Greece,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are honoured to address this distinguished gathering on this important and moving occasion, We remember today Rabbi Moshe Pesaeh of Volos, as well as other extraordinary citizens of Voles, Jew and Christian alike, ‘who helped to ensure the survival of most of the Jewish community there during the gruesome Second World War, When so many Jewish communities in Europe were wiped from the face of the earth, the Jews of Volos were able to endure.

Among Rabbi Moshe Pesach’s most visible collaborators was Metropolitan Joachim of Demetrias, as well as other Greek Orthodox clergy from Volos and the surrounding region. During the German occupation, Metropolitan Joachim encouraged the residents of Mount Pelion to hide Jews from the Nazis. When he was interrogated for information about Jews in the area, he once famously replied, “I am a Jew”. Metropolitan Joachim was instrumental in saving the lives of more than 700 people, and for this he is memorialized among the Righteous of the Nations.

We are all too aware in our own day, least of all in this region, of the threat of persecution, terrorism, and genocide. For, “Indeed the hour is coming, when those who kill you think, they are offering service to God” (John 16:2). Sadly, there is a growing need for vigilance in our world, where people suffer every day on account of their religious affiliations, their ethnic origins, or their convictions of conscience. While there will always be a need for courage like that of Rabbi Moshe Pesach and Metropolitan Joachim, we also need a new and urgent commitment to end the inhumanity that we see on a global scale.

May Rabbi Pesach and Metropolitan Joachim be an inspiration to all of us, not only to defy those who use violence to deprive the human family of our dignity and diversity, but to see the reflection of God in every human soul. By their examples, may we be firmly resolved to live lives of hope, commitment, and love.

And may their memory be eternal!   Thank you.

His Beatitude

Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On the morning of Easter Thursday, the 3^rd/16^th of April 2015, the B’nai B’rith Organisation and Keren Kayemet Le – Israel hosted an event in the memory of World War II Jewish victims of Nazism in Greece, mainly Volos. The event was also held in honour of rabbi Pesah of Volos who, in collaboration with the then Metropolitan of Demetrias, Joachim Alexopoulos, the Mayor of Volos, and Greek rebels, helped approximately 1,000 Jewish citizens flee the town and find refuge in Greek families in the countryside. Of the Jewish residents in Volos, 85% survived the war to return to their hometown. 

The event took place in a vast forest where 6.000.000 trees have been planted, as many the Jewish victims of Nazism. It was attended by representatives of the B’nai B’rith, Mr Haim Katz of Keren Kayemet, Mr Efi Stenzler, grandson of rabbi Pesah, the President of Jewish Communities in Greece, Mr Moses Constantinis, and the Greek Ambassador to Israel, Mr Spyridon Lamprides.

In the addresses heard at the event, special reference was made to the harmonious coexistence of Greek Jews with the rest of the Greeks in Greece, especially Volos, and the contribution of the Greek nation to the rescue of Greek Jews from Nazi mania.

Patriarch Theophilos was the first to speak at the ceremony, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/16/13879

The event ended with the reading of the names of children victims from Volos, and a performance of the Israeli National Anthem.

From the Secretariat-General