On Friday, the 30^th of August/12^th of September 2014, the new Ambassador of Georgia to Israel, His Excellency Mr Paata Kalandare, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Kalandare was received by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. An interesting discussion took place during the meeting, on problems facing the Middle East, where the Patriarchate has been called to protect and preserve the All-Holy Shrines, but also Christians residing in the Holy Land.

Talk was also made on the frequent visits of pilgrims from Georgia, even during periods of unrest and conflict between peoples inhabiting the All-Holy Shrines region.

Additionally, His Beatitude congratulated the new Ambassador on the assumption of his duties, and offered him Jerusalemite eulogias, namely the Hagiotaphite calendar in Russian and icons of the Holy Sepulcher.

The Georgian Ambassador thanked His Beatitude for the long and constructive conversation, and offered Him fine wine from his country, before going on to venerate at the Lord’s Life-Giving Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/HDJ5OxveQik

On Tuesday, the 30^th of July/12^th of August 2014, the Serbian Ambassador to Israel, Mr Milutin Stanoyevic, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by Mrs Miliça Vajovic, the Embassy Secretary, whose assignment in Israel is nearing its close.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Serbia and his Secretary were received by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isycios of Kapitolias, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of this meeting on the role of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as a factor of stability and reconciliation in the Middle East, especially so during this period of political unrest, acutely manifested with the atrocities in Gaza. Also underlined was the role of the Patriarchate as a link between the Orthodox states currently maintaining diplomatic delegations to the state of Israel.

The destruction of Serbia’s cultural and ecclesiastical monuments, caused during the years of the harsh war, as well as by recent floods, was also talked about.

Having asked His Beatitude’s blessing, the Serbian Ambassador and Mrs Miliça Vajovic went on to venerate at the Holy Sepulcher, His Beatitude wishing the Ambassador success in his mission and Mrs Vajovic a fine career back to her country.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 24^th of July/6^th of August 2014, the representative of Hungary to the Palestinian Autonomy in Ramallah, Mr Michael Giza, visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Michael was warmly received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

In the context of this meeting an interesting discussion took place on the visit of His Beatitude to Hungary, on the country’s subvention for the renovation of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and on the award of two scholarships to students of the Patriarchate’s Arab-speaking flock. Assurances were also exchanged on the continuation of this fruitful cooperation between Hungary and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.

In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Wednesday, the 17^th/30^th of July 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, awarded a grant to Mr Ala Agman Belbess, the highest ranking graduate of the Patriarchate’s School of St Demetrios, in order for him to enroll at the University of Bethlehem. The following year, Mr Belbess is intended to study in Budapest with a scholarship granted to the Patriarchate by Hungary.
In awarding Mr Belbess the grant, His Beatitude praised him and wished him success in the pursuit of his studies.

From the Secretariat-General

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of July 2014, the memory of the Prophet Elias the Thesbite was commemorated in advance at the Church dedicated to him in the area of Maaloule, a suburb of Nazareth.

The Church of the Prophet Elias used to belong to the Arab-speaking Community of the Patriarchate which abandoned its seat upon the foundation of the state of Israel, in 1948. Since then, the area has been a military base. In recent years, the Patriarchate, mainly through the actions of Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archimandrite Hilarion, the Abbot at the Monastery of Tabor, went on to restore, renovate and reopen it.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem led the Matins and the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Archimandrite Hilarion, Abbot at the Monastery of Mount Tabor; and Arab-speaking Presbyters from the Nazareth area. Orthodox faithful from Nazareth participated in piety, moved over the knowledge that their ancestors had lived in this very town.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, His speech may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/26/6674

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, participants were offered refreshments in the forecourt of the Church, under the shade of pine trees.

At noon, the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth, hosted the Patriarchal retinue and members of the congregation and of the Community to lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PS-ggzIU1qQ?list=UUUJ0Grl082n5ebQS0hXtc7g

On Friday the 5^th/18^th of Julye 2014, a group of nuns and accompanying pilgrims from the Monastery of Chrysopege, of the Kydonia and Apokoronos Bishopric, and from the Monastery of St Irene of the Church of Crete, headed by Abbess Theoxeni and Archimandrite f. Justinus, Protosyncellus of the Bishopric of Florina, visited the Patriarchate.

This distinguished group of nuns and pilgrims was received by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

His Beatitude welcomed the nuns and pilgrims to the Holy Land, specifically in Jerusalem, where the soil has been drenched with the redeeming blood of Christ, and where the earth received the crucified, pure Body of our Saviour, who was buried and rose from the dead. Owing to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His incarnate presence, this land bears sanctity and grace, sought and received by pilgrims. These pilgrims are sanctified as beholders of the holy lands “by the grace of the All-holy and Life-giving Tomb” and of the rest of the Shrines. By this grace, pilgrims become preachers of the hallowing property of the Holy Shrines and of the Church, which carries on its pastoral and consecrating work for the benefit of pilgrims. These very pilgrims stand among them as especially worthy of praise, for having defied the war situation in Gaza in order to conduct their pilgrimage.

Abbess Theoxeni of the Monastery of Chrysopege, thanked His Beatitude for these words and offered Him an epigonation [rhomboid ornament] embroidered at her Monastery, along with an icon of St Porphyrios, a late spiritual father at the Monastery.

Having received His Beatitude’s blessing, a cross, icons and other Jerusalemite eulogias, the nuns and pilgrims carried on their tour at the Holy Sepulcher.

From the Secretariat-General

On the evening of Tuesday, the 2^nd/15^th of July 2014, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; and the Very Reverend presbyter f. Issa Musleh, participated in the reception held in His honour at the town of Shepherds Village/Beit-Sahour, by Mr Jiries Kumsiyeh and his son, Mr Bashar Jiries Kumsiyeh.

In the context of this reception, His Beatitude conferred the title of Crusader Minor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher to the hosts of the event for their substantial interest in favour of the Patriarchate and its flock, either from the U.S., where Mr J. Kumsiyeh lives and works as an entrepreneur alongside his son Dr B. Kumsiyeh, or from their birthplace of Beit-Sahour. The Patriarch’s address in Arabic was read by f. Issa Musleh and may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/17/6579

From the Secretariat-General

On Sunday, the 30^th of June/13^th of July 2014, the feast of the Gathering of the Twelve Holy Apostles was celebrated at the Holy Monastery dedicated to them, near the Western shore of the Tiberian sea, at the centre of the present-day big Israeli city of Tiberias.

At the church of the Monastery, which preserves many of the building components of the ancient church which is linked to the Lord’s miracle, namely His appearance before His disciples after the Resurrection, when He instructed them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat (John 21, 6) and then eat from the fish and bread that lay on the coal (John 21, 9), which constitutes the evangelical excerpt of the 10^th Eothinon Gospel of Sundays – His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Matins and Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth and Hieromonks from nearby Monasteries of the Patriarchate. Cantors from neighbouring communities sang, while Greek pilgrims and Russian-speaking and Arab-speaking faithful participated in piety.

During Communion, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

In Arabic, His speech may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/13/6537

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Abbot f. Timotheos hosted the Patriarchal retinue to lunch, which was followed by lunch with fish from the Tiberian sea.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/1mEyYcWuX_c?list=UUUJ0Grl082n5ebQS0hXtc7g

On Saturday the 29^th of June/12^th of July 2013, the feast of the glorious heads of the apostles, Sts Peter and Paul, was celebrated at the Monastery dedicated to them in Capernaum, near the West Bank of the Tiberian Sea.

The Monastery and church in its present-day form was built in 1935, as attested by the inscription on the iconostasis, by the ever-memorable Patriarch Damian of Jerusalem, on the ruins of ancient Capernaum, which had received many miracles of the Lord, and in fact became His second hometown, after He had left his hometown of Nazareth (Matthew 2, 23). In spite of this, Capernaum did not repent, as according what the Lord had foretold, it descended into Hades: “And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day” (Matthew 11, 23).

To this monastery, well preserved for years now by monk Eirinarchos, H.B. Patriarch Theophilos arrived on the morning of the aforementioned day, to lead the Matins and Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Hieromonk and Hegoumen at the Monastery of Mount Tabor, Archimandrite Hilarion; Arab-speaking and Russian-speaking priests from the region of Upper Galilee and Accra-Ptolemais. Archimandrite Philotheos directed the choir. In attendance were Greek pilgrims as well as Arab-speaking and Russian-speaking faithful from the Patriarchate’s Communities in Northern Israel.

During Communion, His Beatitude preached the word of God in Greek. In Arabic, His speech may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/07/12/6534

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, supervising monk f. Eirinarchos courteously hosted the Patriarchal retinue at the Hegoumen’s quarters. At noon, lunch with fish from the Tiberian Sea was offered to all.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/U4sWDr4gB2U