30 December 2014

Address at the Annual Reception on the Eve of the New Year
in honour of the Heads of the Churches
hosted by His Honour Mr. Reuven Rivlin
the President of Israel
with the Honourable Gilad Arden, Minister of the Interior

Your Excellency, Mr. President
Your Excellency, Mr. Arden
Your Eminences
Your Graces
Distinguished Members of the Government and Civic Leaders
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this joyous season of light, We greet you, Mr. President, with the words of the Psalmist:

Your word is a lantern to my feet, and a light upon my path
(Ps. 118 (119): 105)

It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness
(Ps. 17 (18): 29 (28))

The Holy Land, which is home to all of us, shines with the divine Light. Here God and humanity have known a special and unique intimacy. In this season in particular, the world, caught up in the darkness of violence, poverty, persecution, and war looks to us, the communities of the Holy Land, for renewed hope and inspiration.

Hope and inspiration must, of course, find expression in practical ways, so that we may address the very real needs and concerns of the people, whom we serve, both as elected officials and religious leaders. Our precise tasks as political and religious leaders may be different, but first and foremost our care is always our people. In this region, we recognize the diversity of our peoples, and we understand that the harmonious co-existence of the Abrahamic faiths is essential to the integrity of the Holy Land.

As we acknowledge the importance of this harmonious co-existence, we must make it clear that the Churches condemn all violence, all acts of terror, and all attempts to persecute individuals and communities. We also condemn all crimes that are committed against shrines, places of worship, cemeteries, and other sacred sites. The peace that we seek for our region can never be built on the foundation of such acts.

In the work of building a society based on peace, justice, and reconciliation, we have learnt the power of dialogue. To be engaged in constructive dialogue does not mean that we have to settle every question, or reach a full consensus in every matter. The power of dialogue rests precisely in the fruit that it bears.

The chief fruit of genuine dialogue is a spirit of deeper understanding. Dialogue reduces tension, eradicates prejudice, and promotes compassion. These fruits of dialogue are essential to the health of the human community.

The Christian communities of the Holy Land place dialogue at the centre of our common mission. Although divided in some respects, the Churches have been committed to dialogue, and are now enjoying the fruits of this endeavor. We have worked seriously to eradicate animosity and prejudice, and to heal memories, and although this work continues, and there is still much to do, we have seen its results. Perhaps the most striking recent example of the fruits of our dialogue was the meeting earlier this year of His Holiness Pope Francis and His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This visible expression of common purpose was dialogue in action, and we cannot underestimate the power of such action to shape the consciousness of our people. When words fail us, our actions may speak more eloquently.

The Holy Land is a living witness to the dialogue between God and humanity. Here God and humanity have conversed down the ages. Here the divine presence has been made manifest among us. Here sacred history and eternity have met. In the divine-human dialogue we have the paradigm for our own dialogue among our different faith traditions and peoples. Dialogue in human affairs is therefore not a choice for us, but an inherent responsibility. Where true dialogue exists, the divine light shines brightly.

It is in this regard that the Status Quo has been, and remains, an essential foundation of true dialogue, and it is therefore the responsibility of all of us, whether in the civic or the religious sphere, to ensure that the traditional rights of all are upheld and respected. This Status Quo has deep roots in our collective history and consciousness, as well as sanctioned practices on the ground, which help to preserve the essential diversity of our region and beloved Holy Land.

In the interest of maintaining the Status Quo emerges the concern to ensure freedom of access for our faithful to the Holy Places for the celebration of the feasts of the Church. We indeed appreciate the difficult work of the authorities in maintaining safety and order, and we acknowledge the good will of many in leadership. But we also urge continued earnest attempts to find ways to expand and guarantee access for our respective communities and the many thousands of pilgrims who come to the Holy Land to take part in ceremonies of worship throughout the year.

It should be mentioned that the Heads of Churches of the Holy Land do not represent ourselves and our respective communities only. We represent the entire Christian world. Under the universally acknowledged senior status of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, we play a unique and crucial role as bridge-builders in the work of reconciliation
and the deepening of co-existence throughout our region. It is precisely because of our collective role that Jerusalem and the Holy Land maintain their unique religious, cultural and ethnic landscape.

As we celebrate this season of light, let us remember that committed, respectful dialogue is the truest basis for the longing of all our hearts for peace and reconciliation.

As we greet you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land on this special occasion, your first holiday season in your honourable presidential office, may God bless you in your new responsibilities, and may God bless our beloved Holy Land.

We wish you a happy and peaceful New Year. Hag sammeach!

Thank you.

His Beatitude
THEOPHILOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Thursday, the 14^th/27^th of December 2014, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, headed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited local Christian Churches in Jerusalem in celebration of Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar.

The Hagiotaphite Brotherhood follows the Julian calendar for all its feasts; however, it calls on Churches in Jerusalem on their own feast-days whilst the latter reciprocate the visits accordingly, as this custom contributes to reducing the occasional congestion of pilgrims and cultivating a climate of collaboration for the settlement of issues of Christian interest.

In the same context, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood visited the Franciscan Friars and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

During these visits, Patriarch Theophilos addressed Pierre Battista Pizzaballa, Custodian of the Holy Land, in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/12/27/10859

In his reply speech, the Custodian said the Franciscans were moved by the words of His Beatitude and that indeed they agree that the sacrament of the Incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh constitutes the basis of our diaconate in the Holy Land and that, encouraged by this fact, we must serve the Holy Shrines consistently and with devotion within collaboration in the benefit of Christians in the Holy Land.

Addresses in the same spirit were also exchanged between Patriarch Theophilos and Monsignor Fouad Twal, the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, at the Latin Patriarchate.

Special emphasis was placed on the testament of Christians in the Holy Land, projecting the message of peace and hope across the world, where innocent Christians and non-Christians are unjustly persecuted and murdered.

After these visits, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, visited the Lutheran Church in the Holy Land, where festive addresses were exchanged between him and Bishop Munib Younan, as well as the Head of the German-speaking Lutheran Community in Jerusalem, Rev. Propst Wolfgang Schmidt.

From the Secretariat-General

27 December 2014

Dear Father Pizzaballa.
Your Eminences.
Your Graces.
Beloved Members of our Respective Fraternities,

With the joy of the angels, we greet you after your celebration of the Feast of the Nativity with the words of one of the great hymns of the Orthodox Church:

Your birth, Ο Christ our God,
Has shed the light of knowledge upon the earth.
For by your birth those who adored stars,
Were taught by a star, to worship you,
The Sun of Justice, and to know you,
The Dawn from on high.
Ο Lord, glory to you,
(Apolytikion of the Nativity)

The Light that breaks into our darkened world at Christmas is the one, true, uncreated Light, the incarnate Logos, whose birth at Bethlehem signifies the great reconciliation of heaven and earth. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at once fully human and fully divine, has bridged the great chasm between God and humanity for ever.

We have been entrusted with the common mission of serving and guarding the Holy
Places, which are both the witness of the Incarnation and the guarantee of our presence in the Holy Land. At this season the eyes of the world are turned to the Holy Land and to the Christian communities here in eagerness and hope. Our joy and responsibility is to keep alive the Gospel of Cod’s love, reconciliation, and peace, and our mission is to keep the Light of Christmas burning brightly both for our local Christian faithful as well as for the whole world. For the One who is the “Sun of Justice and the Dawn from on high” must reach to all humanity, particularly at a time when our region and our world are plunged into terrible difficulty and darkness. And those who bear the name of Christ are persecuted together with their innocent fellow-men.

One of the good signs of hope to the world is the mutual co-operation and mutual understanding that exists between our Fraternities. Those who are entrusted with the care of the Holy Places must exemplify the highest ideals and disciplines of dialogue and an ability to work together for the benefit of all, especially the many thousands of pilgrims who come to us every year for spiritual refreshment.

We know that dialogue and mutual co-operation bear genuine fruits, for we see it here. And we know that such dialogue and mutual co-operation are essential for the benefit of the Holy Places, the maintenance of the. Christian character of Jerusalem, and the strengthening of the Christian presence in our region. All of us who,have been called to this responsibility of leadership in the Christian communities of the Holy Land must place this work at the forefront of our attention at all times, so that together we may ensure the well-being of all.

The co-operation between our Fraternities bears fruit every day for the sake of the faithful, and contributed significantly to the great event of reconciliation that occurred last May at the meeting here in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre between His Holiness Pope Francis and His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.

We pray especially at this Christmas season that this co-operation will grow and deepen. Dialogue has been proven to be the most effective means not just of resolving disputes but of reaching a deeper appreciation of the gifts of our respective communities, establishing agreements, and furthering the work of our common mission in ensuring that Jerusalem and the Holy Land continue to be a beacon of hope for the world.

We wish you, dear Father Pizzaballa, the Franciscan Fraternity, and all your people, a very happy and holy Christmas and a peaceful New Year, May Cod bless you.
Thank you.

His Beatitude
THEOPHILOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Tuesday, the 10^th/23^rd of December 2014, novice Athanasios Spanos was tonsured as monk by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the chapel of the Holy Pentecost.

Novice Athanasios, hailing from Mount Athos, first learned of the Patriarchate through its official website, upon which he requested to serve as novice at the Shrine of the Holy Cavern within the Basilica of the Nativity.

Performing the tonsure, His Beatitude gave f. Athanasios the name Akakios and advised him with paternal words to respond to his obligations and show obedience, humbleness and self-denial whilst piously serving the shrine and treating visitors with serenity and leniency.

After the tonsure, His Beatitude received the tonsured monk at the Patriarchate, where he was offered wishes by the Fathers.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/nZ2Y_LuYkHc

23 December 2014

Dr Landau,
Mr. Halevi,
Your Beatitudes,
Your Eminences,
Your Graces,
Beloved Leaders of the Jewish and Muslim Communities of Jerusalem,
Distinguished Civic Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor for us to address this gathering during this holiday season on behalf of the Christian communities of the Holy Land, and we thank you, Dr Landau and MrHalevi, for bringing us together today.

At this time of the year, when the eyes of the world are focused on the Holy Land, our hearts are turned both to our local indigenous Christian communities as well as to the many thousands of pilgrims who make their way to the Holy Places, especially at Christmas. Both the local Christian communities and our pilgrims remind us of the universal significance of the Holy Places.

For all of us who call the Holy Land our home, Jew, Christian, and Muslim, the Holy Places, many of which we share, are not simply places of private devotion. They are also a sign to us of genuine interfaith dialogue and relationship. For here divinity and humanity have enjoyed true physical and spiritual relationship and dialogue. They realize for us our common human nature and our common human destiny.

At Christmas and Hannukah we celebrate the feast of the divine, uncreated light. That light does not discriminate, but shines on all. This is the light that has been revealed in human history to our forebears, and just as they were enlightened and showed us the way, so we must follow in their footsteps and show the way to others.

Recent sad and devastating events in our region cannot extinguish this divine light, and we to whom the spiritual leadership of our communities has been entrusted cannot be distracted or put off our course. Our mission has always been, and continues to be, to point to this light, so that it may be a clear beacon to a world in terrible need of the reconciliation and the love of God.

This light has been revealed to us in particular times and places in history. Therefore we who follow the three great Abrahamic traditions of faith believe firmly that the light is truth, and that truth is light. We should not be, we cannot be, afraid of the darkness. As we read in the Psalms:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 26 (27): 1-2

Our God-given mission is precisely this: to guard and proclaim this light as the hope of the world, the sustenance of our local Communities and the encouragement of pilgrims. The Holy City of Jerusalem, the home of us all is essential to this spiritual mission, and no one has the right to attempt to extinguish this light.
We wish to thank you, Dr Landau and MrHalevi, for your efforts in helping to maintain Holy Land as a safe place for pilgrims, and for all that you do to support the leadership of the Christian communities. In this holiday season, may God bless you your work, and may God bless all the peoples of the Holy Land.

We wish all a Happy Christmas and ChagSammeach.

Thank you.

His Beatitude
THEOPHILOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem

Monday, 22 December 2014.

Today the angels in the sky dance

and rejoice.

And the whole universe delights

in the birth of the Lord and Saviour in Bethlehem.

Because every fallacy of idols now ceases

and Christ shall rule for all time.

(Nativity Verses for Christmas Procession)

The Orthodox Church of Christ celebrates, today and for all twelve merry days of the Dodekaorton, an event miraculous and sublime, mystic and paradoxical, an event transcending every human sense and perception. It experiences, asserts and proclaims for its members and the entire world to hear an event initiated by God in heaven and offering great joy to men on earth.

This event rests on the choice of the benign and beneficent God to reunite Himself with His creation, man: man deceived by the devil and drawn away from Him through sin, misled and wandering, lethally wounded and damaged.

For this divine and salvaging work, according to the Apostle Paul, “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship”. (Gal., 4, 4). God sent forth His Son and “accepted man” (Rom., 15-7). Upon the choice of God the Father, His Age-Old Logos and Son was incarnate, became human through the Holy Spirit and the Ever-Virgin Mary. According to the Evangelist of love, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1, 14). The fleshless Logos was incarnate. The ever-virgin Mary bore God in the flesh. God in His power elevated her to Theotokos, Mother of God. Through His incarnation, the Son of God also became the Son of man and revealed himself to us not as god-bearing man but as flesh-bearing God, as Theanthropos, as the new Adam of grace, carrying within Him His dual nature, both divine and human, in a single hypostasis. This, according to Father Cyril of Alexandria, does not mean that “the nature of the Word was transformed into flesh, nor that the Word was made human of soul and body, but that the Word united Himself as flesh carrying soul and mind, thus indescribably became man and served as Son of man”.

This mystery of man’s reception by God did not happen seemingly but truly. Christ received the human nature in its entirety, humanity in all its poorness and weakness. Christ marked the beginning of time. He was born as man of the ever-virgin Mary “when the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” (Luke 2, 6) during the rule of Ceasar Octavian Augustus in Bethlehem, Judea (Luke 2, 1-4).

Taking share in every human manifestation, even following death by the cross, through which He reached the Resurrection, Christ was born in a cavern, lay in a manger and was wrapped in cloth, guarded from Herod’s murderous mania not by force but through escape to Egypt.

In his single hypostasis and dual nature, Christ was glorified by angels in the sky of the blessed Village of the Shepherds, with the hymn “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace” (Luke 2, 14). He was venerated by shepherds and the wise men but He was also persecuted by Herod and fled to Egypt.

Today, just like then, men’s attitude towards Jesus Christ differs. By some, as were the angels, shepherds and the wise men, Christ is believed, venerated and glorified; by others, as was Herod, He is rejected and hunted. Christ is persecuted, His message on earth reproached – the message of mutual friendship, peace and reconciliation. Those believing in Him are persecuted too, Christians and other innocent men, all those, regardless of faith, called by Christ “the least of His brothers”. Denial of Christ’s figure and work is the cause of violent and hideous crimes in various regions of the earth, Syria, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.

From the holy Cavern where Christ was born, and from the manger where he lay, and from the Basilica of the Nativity, guarded through the centuries by the Church of Sion as the apple of the eye, we send forth festive greetings for the Dodekaorton, the gospels of joy and peace of the Lord of peace, to the flock entrusted by God to us, the flock residing in the Holy Land and everywhere across the earth, and to pious pilgrims visiting the holy shrines, wishing for everyone the blessing, grace and reinforcement of God Incarnate, born in the flesh by the Ever-Virgin.

In the Holy City of Bethlehem, CHRISTMAS 2014

 Ardently Blesser in the Lord,

THEOPHILOS III

 Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Sunday, the 24^th of November/7^th of December, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem officiated at the Patriarchal Church of St Nikolas in Aqaba.

This fine Church, standing at the center of Aqaba, a city in the Northern boundaries of the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was built by the late Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem. Adjacent to the Church is a school, a hall of events and the priest’s residence.

Owing to its geographical position and its port, Aqaba, a city of approximately 100.000 residents, is today a trade center. What is more, its climate has elevated it to a tourist destination. The city is the See of the Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking Community of St Nikolas, numbering approximately three hundred families.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem officiated at the divine Liturgy commemorating the feasts of the Presentation of Theotokos and of St Nikolas, Bishop of Myra, Lycia. Co-officiating were Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Patriarchal Commissioner in Northern Jordan, Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella; the Abbot in Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymos; Presbyter Vassilios, Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Ioannis of Irbet. A great crowd of faithful participated in the service.

To the pious congregation, attending mass to receive the blessing of Patriarch Theophilos, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, the homily may be reached here:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/12/07/8677

Several among the faithful received Communion. On the conclusion of mass, His Beatitude offered a pectoral cross and a blessing cross to Steward f. Vassilios.

Extending his thanks, the priest invited His Beatitude to return to the city and bless the flock, once His pastoral obligations allow Him to do so.

After mass, His Beatitude distributed gifts to pre-school children, before visiting the school’s premises.

At noon, He was attended lunch offered by the community aboard a boat in the Gulf of Aqaba.

In the evening, He attended dinner hosted in His honour at the hotel.

On the following morning, His Beatitude arrived in Amman, to return to Jerusalem on the evening of Monday.

From the Secretariat-General

2 December 2014

Your Excellency, Dr. Zsolt Semjén Deputy Prime Minister
Distinguished Members of the Delegation,
Dear Friends
.
We welcome you warmly to the Holy City of Jerusalem and to our Patriarchate, and as we do so, we remember with warmth and gratitude our own visit to your beloved country two years ago. At that time we were impressed by the commitment of the government and the people of Hungary to the Holy Land, and we are glad that the ties that bind your country to this region are deepening.
.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem shoulders the mission of preserving the integrity of the Holy Land. This integrity is predicated on the well-being, security, and flourishing of all our peoples. Here Jews, Christians and Muslims and others have lived together for millennia, and here we must forge a future in which all these communities can live in an atmosphere of peace, justice, and reconciliation. There is no other possible future here that respects the true identity and integrity of the Holy Land..

This means, of course, a stable and flourishing Christian community. We Christians are native to this region, and the Christian community appreciates deeply the support that we have received from the Hungarian government over the years. In addition to many other things, your government has supplied much-needed and valuable scholarships to young people in our Palestinian Christian communities, and we know the transforming effect that education has on our young people.
.
In this way, the Patriarchate forms a living bridge of spiritual encouragement between the government and people of Hungary, the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel. At a time when our region is experiencing the breakdown of so many structures and traditional relationships, along with ensuing chaos, war, and terribly acts of terrorism and brutality, these bridges of hope are all the more crucial for us to build and maintain. We are deeply thankful for the efforts of your government in this work, and we are always delighted to welcome pilgrims from Hungary to the Holy Places, where they find spiritual refreshment.
.
Thank you for the honour that you have bestowed upon us, which we receive with humility and gratitude not on our own behalf, but on behalf of the Patriarchate, the Brotherhood of the Holy Tomb, and all the faithful of the Rum Orthodox Church in the Holy Land, and in recognition of the important bonds between the Patriarchate and our people in this region and the people of Hungary, we wish to bestow on you, Your Excellency, the Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre..

May these mutual recognitions be signs of the commitment that we all must have for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East. May God bless your visit to the Holy Land, and may God bless all the peoples of your beloved country of Hungary.
.
Thank you

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Saturday, the 16^th/29^th of November 2014, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of holy-martyr St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite at Jacob’s Well in Nablus, Samaria, where he served as abbot until his martyric death in 1979.

Jacob’s Well was where Our Lord Jesus Christ conversed with the Samaritan woman and revealed Himself as Christ, guiding her  from the depths of ignorance and sin to the path of knowledge and sanctity. There, the current Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin, built a magnificent church in the name of St Photini of Samaria, as well as a chapel dedicated to St Philoumen and St Justin the philosopher and martyr. The latter hailed from Nablus and suffered a martyr’s death circa 160 AD.

Patriarch Theophilos led the divine Liturgy at the Church of St Photini. Co-officiating were His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin; Abbots Leontios of Rafidia, Chrysostomos of Kana, and Ananios of St George, Beit-Jalla; Hieromonk Martyrios, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking presbyters from the region of Samaria. Also in attendance were Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Monk Daniel of the Monastery of Hozeva chanted in Greek, and the Choir of Rafidia and the Community of Zababdeh chanted in Arabic. Pious pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine, and Arab-speaking faithful from Jerusalem, mostly from the towns of Rafidia, Zababdeh, Tubas and Burkin, participated in piety.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, His homily may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/11/29/8285

Several among the faithful proceeded to receive Holy Communion.

Mass was followed by a reception at the Abbot’s quarters and, later on, lunch for the Patriarchal retinue and a great crowd.

During lunch, Law student Mr Halil Yannam, a Rum Orthodox of Zababdeh, addressed His Beatitude.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/4lgwXazNvrk

On Friday, the 15^th/28^th of November 2014, parishioners of the Cathedral of St James the Brother of God, attending mass at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias, visited the Patriarchate. They were led by Mrs Eleni Hasram.

The Association, founded by women from the parish of St James, attending mass at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias, accompanies youth and children to pilgrimage excursions, as well as also organizes several celebratory events, such as concerts and bazars. The events used to be held with the blessings of the late Abbot of the aforementioned Monastery, f. Andreas, now replaced by Abbot f. Paisios.

His Beatitude blessed the activities of the group and congratulated the youth and children for their dedication to their parish and love of Jesus Christ and the Church, encouraging them to carry on, especially during the Christmas period.

His Beatitude also welcomed Primates from the Patriarchate of Moscow, from Russia and Ukraine, as well as accompanying priests and pilgrims, granting them permit to officiate at the Holy Sepulcher for the vigilance of St Philoumen.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/T8hPgRFPFfQ