On Saturday the 8^th/21^st of March 2015, the Name Day of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem was observed one day earlier than usual, on the commemoration of the Holy Forty Martyrs who had suffered a martyr’s death in Lake Sebaste of Caesarea, Pontus. The feast was observed as a Small Parrhesia.

A’ Vespers

The feast began on Friday afternoon with the Ninth Hour at 1.45 pm in the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by a procession to the Church of the Resurrection, where the Patriarch venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis. The Patriarchal Retinue then walked to the Holy Aedicula, where Patriarch Theophilos blessed the incense.

Veneration was followed by entrance into the katholikon, where Hierodeacons performed a censing along the holy shrines.

The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang on the right and the Typikaris [head of church rituals] of the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Alexios, sang on the left alongside f. Joseph of Mount Athos.

The service of the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations of the Akathist Hymn was held toward the end of Vespers and followed by the procession of the Hagiotaphite Fathers to the Monastery of their repentance.

B’ On feast-day

On the morning of Saturday, at 7:00 am, the feast began with an official procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

After entering the katholikon, Patriarch Theophilos rose to the Throne, then proceeded into the Holy Bema with the Primates.

Once the Patriarch, the Primates and Priests had put on their sacerdotal vestments, the Divine Liturgy began in the katholikon led by the Patriarch. Co-officiating were: Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth, Isychios of Kapitolias, Timotheos of Bostra, Benedictus of Philadelphia, and Nicolaos of Mesogea and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; Archbishops Alexios of Tiberias, Dorotheos of Avila, Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrius of Lydda, Nektarios of Anthedon, and Philoumenos of Pella. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Presbyters, Priests visiting from other Churches, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Athens, Archimandrite Damian, Archdeacon Evlogios, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. A great crowd of faithful participated, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang, aided by Archimandrites Philotheos and Leontios, as well as Mr Panagiotis Pantelis of Cyprus and Mr Lycoudes of Greece.

This magnificent Liturgy was followed by Doxology on the occasion of the Patriarch’s name-day.

On the conclusion of mass, guests proceeded to the Patriarchate, where the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, addressed His Beatitude on behalf of the Holy and Sacred Synod and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem also addressed Patriarch Theophilos, as did Hagiotaphites speaking on behalf of the flock, or representatives of other Orthodox Churches.

Patriarch Theophilos replied in Greek to the festive addresses.

The event at the Patriarchate was followed by meatless lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/8uQ5tHVscuI

httpv://youtu.be/T4L-SHcv-9I

httpv://youtu.be/7oYwPtaFRxw

On Tuesday, the 4^th/17^th of March 2015, Ms Antonia Moropoulou, Seismology Professor at the National Technical University of Greece, and the Studies’ Director of the “Materials and Conservation Interventions” Direction, visited the Patriarchate on an invitation to assess the state of preservation of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulcher, following the recent unauthorized intervention of the Israeli Police and the Israeli Archaeological Service.

After her on-site visit to the Holy Sepulcher, in the presence of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, and the Architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Mr Theodosios Mitropoulos, where she appraised the Aedicula’s condition for the purpose of conducting a study on the stability of its structure, Ms Moropoulou was welcomed to the Patriarchate by Patriarch Theophilos.

An interesting discussion took place there, during which His Beatitude explained the current state of political affairs in Jerusalem, which includes provocations against the Patriarchate, despite its peacemaking role, evolving around the Church of the Resurrection, the site of Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection.

On the occasion of this visit, His Beatitude bestowed upon Prof. Moropoulou the honourary distinction of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, in recognition of her scientific contribution, both past and present, to the Patriarchate and the Holy Sepulcher.

Moved, Ms Moropoulou thanked His Beatitude and pledged to always support the Patriarchate, a treasure of our faith and nation, with all her scientific capacities and powers.

 From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/6aFWSltYWEk

On Sunday, the 2^nd/15^th of March 2015, the Patriarchate observed the feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross for the strengthening and enhancement of the spiritual course to the Holy Easter.

Α’ Vespers

At 13.45 pm, the Ninth Hour was recited at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by a procession of the Hagiotaphite Retinue, led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

There, the Primates venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher.

They then entered the katholikon, where the Patriarch gave blessings, and deacons performed a censing along the holy shrines.

Vespers was then held, as the Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang the “Anoixantaria” psalms.

At the end of Vespers, Primates walked to the Patriarchates.

B’ On the day of the feast

On the morning of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, the feast was observed as the Hagiotaphite members walked from the Patriarchate to the Church of the Resurrection.

Upon their arrival, Patriarch Theophilos venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis and the Holy Sepulcher.

Entering the katholikon, His Beatitude rose to the Throne while, amidst bells tolling, priests and deacons walked to the Bema. As the “Prophets from above…” was sang, the Patriarch walked to the Bema too, where He was dressed in formal attire, just as the Primates.

After that, in the area opposite the Holy Aedicula, the Divine Liturgy began, led by Patriarch Theophilos, with co-officiating Primates: Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrius of Lydda, the Bishop of Kamenets-Potolsky visiting from Ukraine, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and others. A great crowd of faithful from Jerusalem, Greece, Russia and Romania attended the service.

Mass was performed upon the Life-giving Sepulcher. It was followed by a procession thrice around the Holy Sepulcher and the Shrines surrounding the Holy Bema.

Upon the return to the katholikon, the Primates walked to the Patriarchates, where the Patriarch addressed them in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/15/10946

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/W-Uhq6-sq-0

On the evening of Friday, the 28^th of February/13^th of March 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Stephanos, Hegoumen at St Catherine Monastery, Archdeacon Evlogios, Deacon Markos and f. Ioustinos, Hegoumen at Jacob’s Well, visited the Rum Orthodox Community of Raffidia in the city of Nablus, Samaria. There, He was welcomed by Protosyncellus Leontios and the Community Council. Upon His arrival, the Patriarch led the Third Stasis of the Salutations and the Canon of the Akathist Hymn at the newly-constructed Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos.

Before the apolysis of the service, His Beatitude spoke to the congregation in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/12/10942

On the conclusion of mass, the Hegoumen and the Community hosted the Patriarch and the flock to a meatless reception at the Events Hall which is adjacent to the Church.

During the reception, a discussion took place on issues pertaining to the Community, aimed at receiving His Beatitude’s advice and guidance.

In the framework of this visit, the Patriarch allowed Protosyncellus Leontios to wear a cross during the exercise of his pastoral diaconate as Hegoumen of the Community of Raffidia.

The Akathist Hymn and Third Stasis of the Salutations were also performed at the Church of the Resurrection, led by Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Fathers.

The service was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s Radio Station.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/HzfKEMcp1YE

httpv://youtu.be/Ofjl74wH5po

On Monday, the 9^th of March/24^th of February, the Most Reverend Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Dodoni (former Metropolitan of Zakynthos) and Chairman at the Synodical Office of Pilgrimages of the Church of Greece, visited the Patriarchate. He was accompanied by the Office’s General Secretary and a group of priests from various Bishoprics across Greece.

They Metropolitan and clerics were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos, who went on to praise them on organizing such pilgrimage tours which indeed support Christians residing in the Holy Land.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of the meeting on the attitude of the Greek people against Jewish victims of the World War II holocaust, as a result of persecutions by Nazi Germany.

Pilgrims then visited the Holy Shrines as well as the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, upon a suggestion by the Patriarch. There, they were received by Ms Ahuva Zaken, who bestowed upon the Metropolitan the title of ‘Pilgrim to Jerusalem’ in recognition of the assistance offered to persecuted Jewish during World War II, in Zakynthos and elsewhere.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/p1tKydMy3tg

On Lent Wednesday, the 12^th/25^th of February 2015, the recently elected Council of the Rum Orthodox Community of the town of Pkea, Northern Israel, of the Bishopric of Acre, visited the Patriarchate led by its President, Mr Shukri Aboud.

The Patriarch welcomed and blessed Council members,

Mr. Michael Haj

Mr. Kamil Khoury

Mr. Khalil Aboud

Mr. Fadeel Sachniny

Mr. Ziad Hardal

and Mr. Bassem Shadad

and provided them with guidelines for dealing with issues pertaining to their Community.

From the Secretariat-General

High Level Meeting at the Dead Sea, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

8-9 February, 2015

The hand of evil has stretched to Jordan and its neighbors this week, spreading violence and ignorance to a region striving to counter extremism with moderation and coexistence. The people of the Middle East, not in spite of, but because of their shared Abrahamic values, are unified in celebrating the sanctity of life. Our common religious foundations are built on the right of our Creator alone to bring about life. We strongly condemn such ugly, inhumane acts as they betray the keystone of our shared faiths: love. It is categorically incorrect to claim violence and killing as part of a God-inspired campaign. Carrying out such horrors in the name of religion is a crime against the Creator as well as against all humankind.

In Ephesians 6:11, Paul directs his audience to prepare for a battle, to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Paul’s words echo through the centuries to meet us at a time when we are threatened by a force of evil far removed from the goodness of God’s creation. Paul would advise us to take the same stand today, against terrorist groups whose ambitions to rule through death and destruction are none other than evil incarnate. These fighters, masquerading as Muslims, seek not to exalt the name of the Creator but to corrupt a religion of balance and peace. We know this from the scriptures of our Muslim brethren and from the leadership of King Abdullah II himself, who described this group as criminal and misguided; a band of brutal men who have nothing to do with the great faith of Islam. We join in denouncing the violence and oppression manifested by terrorists who have hijacked Islam to their own gain. We stand here today to proclaim that these acts of hatred are carried out neither in the name of the Creator, nor in the name of religion.

The language of the verse from the Epistle to the Ephesians provides a martial image of troops preparing for battle. The troops of Paul’s vision were legions of those striving to live faithfully, united in their commitment to dismantle corruption of God’s creation. What, then, is this ‘armor of God,’ which Paul invites us to wear? The armor is none other than God’s commandment to us to seek justice, and love and kindness, and walk humbly with our Lord. Our counter-terrorism mission should be informed by our God-given directions to spread neither hatred nor violence, but to counter evil with a resolute gospel of moderation and harmony.

We do not stand here today to defend religion. The spermatic Divine Logos, i.e. the truths of our faith, can be found in the holy texts of all Abrahamic religions. Instead, we are here to refuse the claim that any terrorism can be led by God and that the Creator calls us to violence. We dress ourselves in the armor of peace and inclusiveness against the forces of evil at work in the world today, with the same assurance that the love of the Creator will guide us through these times of turmoil.

We suggest some practical steps to target and educate today’s young generation of men and women so that we fight radicalization, which is fueling these things that are alien to our region and have nothing to do with the Islamic faith.

We have to especially target the social and media outlets, which have the power to perpetuate or magnify messages.

We would like to end by expressing our utmost thanks to His Majesty the King for this generous and cordial hosting, and not in the least His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi for his dedicated and continuous efforts in promoting interfaith harmony and building the much-needed bridges of communication.

HIS BEATITUDE

THEOPHILOS III

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

On Saturday, the 18^th/31^st of January 2015, the new Jamaiyie, namely the Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Remle, bordering the towns of Lydda and Joppa, visited the Patriarchate.

The President and approximately twenty members of the Jamaiyie, led by Archimandrite Nephon, were welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

The new Jamaiyie, represented by its President, asked for His Beatitude’s wishes and blessings,. In His turn, the Patriarch wished that its work be supported by God, and offered financial aid to enhance its activities.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/3Y8PKmWp3o8

28 January 2015

Mr Mayor,
Distinguished Members of the Municipal Government,
Your Eminences,
Your Graces,
Respected Leaders of our Civic organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We greet you, Mr. Mayor, and the leaders of our Municipality, in this joyous season of light at the beginning of the New Year, and in this season of light we recall that light was the first element of creation:

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the Spirit of God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light.”

(Gen. 1:1-3)

The light of creation is a reflection to us of the uncreated light that shines from God himself. This is the great light that we celebrate during this festive season, the light that shines from God into the hearts of all people of good will. As the faithful of the Abrahamic traditions in this Holy City and in our Holy Land, we know of the power of the uncreated light to illumine the darkness of the human soul and the darkness of a world torn by prejudice, violence, war, and persecution.

As those who live in and love this Holy City of Jerusalem, ours is a special responsibility. At the centre of the life of Jerusalem is our long tradition of co-existence, and the truth that the identity of Jerusalem is founded not on one tradition or religious group alone. The integrity of Jerusalem, both historically and religiously, depends on the well-being of Jew, Christian, and Muslim here in our midst. Jerusalem is home to all, and depends on all.

As we enter this New Year, we who are the Heads of the Christian Churches of the Holy Land make crystal clear again our opposition to all forms of violence, persecution, and acts of terror, especially those that occur in our region. Lasting peace and reconciliation are never achieved by such means, and it is the responsibility of both our civic and religious leadership not simply to condemn violence, but to show a different way forward to peace.

In our efforts to build a society based on mutual respect, peace, reconciliation and justice, we have come to know the power of dialogue. Dialogue does not ignore difficulty; it faces difficulty squarely, but respectfully. Dialogue does not mean that we must relinquish our values; it enables us to see the values that the other is trying to uphold. Dialogue reveals pathways that we had not yet previously understood to exist.

It is no accident that historic meetings of reconciliation are held in Jerusalem. For Jerusalem has the power to gather and unite the human family, even across historic divisions. Our responsibility as civic and religious leaders here is to ensure that nothing diminishes or stands in the way of the God-given power of Jerusalem to be a home for all.

As we know, the Status Quo is an essential part of the fabric that ensures the true nature of Jerusalem as a home for all, and it is our duty to ensure that the rights and privileges of all are safe-guarded as we are faithful to the expectations that the existing Status Quo lays upon us. The civil authority has a special role here, particularly in guaranteeing freedom of access to the faithful and to pilgrims to the Holy Places, not least at the time of the Great Feasts.

We appreciate the difficulties of seeing to the safety of large numbers of people, and we are grateful to you especially, Mr. Mayor, for the personal attention that you have given to us and to the Christian community in this very area. But we also urge the Municipality to be assiduous in finding new and better ways to maintain freedom of movement in the Old City and in our neighborhoods.

The Heads of the Christian Churches continue to pledge ourselves to our commitment to support all who have the care of Jerusalem. In spite of our own historic cultural identities, we are united in our love of and our diakonia– that is, our service – to this Holy City. As we join with you, Mr. Mayor, to welcome the New Year, we welcome the season of light with a renewed commitment to the vocation of Jerusalem to shine as a beacon to the whole world.

We wish you, Mr. Mayor and our respected leaders of this Municipality, every success in your work on behalf of all. May God bless the Holy City of Jerusalem, all who live here, and all who come here as pilgrims for spiritual nurture and refreshment.

Happy New Year! Hag sammeach!

Thank you.

His Beatitude
THEOPHILOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Monday, the 13^th/26^th of January 2015, the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr Nir Barkat, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by associates of his.

The Mayor and his associates were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. In the context of this visit, an interesting discussion took place on the safe access of pilgrims to Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy Land, and on facilitating their attending the Holy Light Ceremony on Easter Saturday.

Reference was also made to the resolution of problems caused against the Patriarchate on the site of the Shrine of the Holy Sion by its neighbours.

During the meeting, the Mayor stated his will to effectively fight against incidents of violence which perturb the calm life of the citizens of Jerusalem.

On the occasion of the visit, the Mayor offered His Beatitude a basket of Christmas sweets, whereas the Patriarch offered the Mayor a silver seven-lamp lantern.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/xKA0n76Nq2Q