JERUSALEM, APRIL 29, 2014

Your Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland,

beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ,

Our joy and emotion has increased and culminates in the recent veneration of Fearful Golgotha and of the All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of the Lord and on the occasion of the visit of your most beloved Eminence to this historic hall of our ancient Patriarchate.

We are especially joyful that we are receiving Your Eminence, our beloved brother in Christ, as the chosen Primate and distinguished shepherd of the autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, which is distinguished and praised for its Orthodox spirit, for its pastoral and social support of its members, for its organization, for its cultivation of peaceful dialogue, which furthers its peaceful coexistence with the other Christian confessions of faith in Finland, as well as its residents, who are lovers of peace, peaceful and meek.

Our predecessor, the ever-memorable Patriarch Dositheos of Jerusalem, named our venerable Brotherhood of the All-Holy Tomb a “holy house.” In our “home,” We rejoice at the opportunity to welcome Your most beloved Eminence today with great joy, and We share this with you, viewing Your Eminence not as a simple pilgrim who has received hospitality, but as a member of Our “home.”

Thus, it is with brotherly and hospitable disposition of soul that We welcome Your Eminence and your honorable delegation, intending to accompany Your Eminence in your entrances and exits during these days of pilgrimage theoria (i.e. contemplation), so that we may all together experience in the Holy Land the revealed mystery of our salvation in the divine face and the salvific work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that we may also be strengthened to faithfully serve the flocks entrusted to Us and to serve all people for the praise of Orthodoxy and glory of our Triune God. Amen.

 His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, APRIL 29 2014.

Your Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland,

beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ,

Our most good Lord granted the Church of Jerusalem, the Mother of all Churches, worthy to complete its official visit to the autonomous sister of Church of Finland, piously shepherded by Your most beloved and profound Eminence. In His wise providence, He has now made the Church of Finland worthy to reciprocate its official visit, receiving the proper honors within the framework of this ecclesiastical institution.

On the occasion of this historical and ecclesiastical event, the official reception of Your Eminence at the Tower of David with the honorable full participation of our Orthodox flock, the local authorities and the representatives of the Christian Churches in the Holy Land. Now we are venerating in the glory of our Christian faith, i.e. the Most Venerable the Church of the Anastasis, the Holy Apokathelosis, Fearful Golgotha, the place of redemption due to the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, and the All-Holy Tomb, in which death was trampled upon by death and we, His creation, with the Risen Christ are raised.

We thank and glorify Christ our God from the depths of our soul, who made Us worthy to realize this meeting and We ask of Him, as He sends Us His heavenly strength for the completion of the pastoral work of Our Churches and His peace, a peace only given by Him and not by the world. We ask that His peace be given to the entire world, to those plagued by phenomena of violence and of the economic crisis and to each non-peaceful region of the Middle East, especially the blood-trodden country of Syria and Our neighboring sister Orthodox Church of Antioch.

Having within us the knowledge concerning the various gifts of God in our life and bringing with us now the strength of the Holy Cross after venerating at Fearful Golgotha, and the joy and exultation of the joyous Resurrection after venerating the All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb, come let us ascend to the Patriarchate so that we can further enjoy the company of Your most beloved Eminence, and so that we can spiritually rejoice together and collaborate toward the progress and good care of the flocks entrusted to Us and glory to our Triune God.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On the afternoon of Monday the 15^th/28^th of April 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Hieronymos, Hegoumen at Fhes, paid a visit to the Qatari Ambassador to Jordan, Mr Zaed Al-Hajri.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of this meeting, regarding the economic strengthening of the state of Qatar, provided after examination, revision and transparency so that it may be used in an uncorrupted manner by struggling peoples for their development.

Similarly, reference was made to the presence of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Qatar through its church and its representative there, His Eminence Makarios, Archbishop of Qatar. The said presence was initiated when the current Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the time an Archimandrite, visited Qatar upon the approval of the late Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem.

Fervent wishes were expressed for the continuation of this collaboration, for the benefit of Qatari citizens and inhabitants, Muslims and Christians alike.

From the Secretariat-General

Since Bright Wednesday, the 10^th/23^rd of April 2014 onwards, Pascal visits were made to the Patriarchate by members of Greek Orthodox (Rum Orthodox) Communities hailing from Jerusalem and other cities and towns within the Patriarchate’s jurisdiction, namely Bethlehem, Beit-Jala, Shepherds Village, Jifna, Birzet, Ramla and Aboud. Visits were also made by pilgrims from Russia, Romania and Serbia.

These visitors, clerics and laymen alike, were received with Pascal wishes by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem. The visitors chanted “Christ Has Risen” and “The Day of Resurrection” in Greek and in their own language. His Beatitude extended His wishes for the feast of Easter and offered them Paschal eggs and Jerusalemite eulogias.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/83tYRQpO830

On Sunday, the 14^th/27^th of April 2014, the World Interfaith Harmony Day was observed in Amman, Jordan. The day was proposed by the Royal Hashemite family and adopted by a UN resolution in 2010.

The event has been established by the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as an encounter between religious agents, both Christians and Muslims, laymen and clerics alike, for the fight against religious fanaticism, religious unrest, violence and terrorism, and the cultivation of potentials for religious coexistence within modesty, peace, concord and harmony.

The event, which took place in Amman, at the Royal Hashemite Court, was attended by H.M. King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi. Sheik Ali Gomaa of Egypt, Munib Younan, the Lutheran Bishop in Jerusalem, and Princess Areej Ghazi, all gave speeches.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and the Most Reverend Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen at Fhes.

His Beatitude spoke in English after Sheik Ali Gumaa of Egypt: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/27/6600

Following the speeches, His Majesty the King presented the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Prizes for the World Interfaith Harmony Week, to the following:

The first prize went to the Silsilah dialogue movement in Zamboanga City, the Philippines. The second prize went to Mr Saeed Khan Falahi, and the third prize was shared between the Jamal Farghaly Secondary School for Boys in Egypt and Mr. Michael Boyondo and Mrs. Irene Bulindi of Uganda for “Faiths Together”.

The Panel of Judges for the Awards consisted of: Princess Areej Ghazi, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem; Sheik Dr Ai Gomaa; Bishop Munib Younan; Father Nabil Haddad; Dr Minwer Al Mheid and Mr Aftab Ahmed.

From the Secretariat-General

Amman, 27 April 2014

Your Majesty,

Your Royal Highnesses,

Our Fellow Judges,

Distinguished Honorees,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the year 2010, at the initiative and encouragement of Your Majesty, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution A/65, establishing the first week of February each year as World Interfaith Harmony Week. This action crowned over a decade of commitment by the General Assembly to focus the attention of the world in the creation of a culture of peace-building, non-violence, and mutual understanding among the faithful of different religious traditions, and it also highlighted the commitment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to this crucial endeavor.

The first Interfaith harmony Week took place in 2011, and the first awards ceremony occurred last year. Each year commitment to the goals and ideals of this week has increased around the world and has contributed to the transformation of the life of local communities, especially communities under pressure. This is the great gift of both the Resolution of the General Assembly and of the Royal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, which established the prizes we are awarding today. For however lofty ourgoals, however articulate our commitment, we recognize that nothing is real unless it is local.

Changes in human society happen at many levels, from leaders and governments all the way to the grassroots. We know that unless there is willingness and an openness to change in our local communities, any hope for genuine and lasting change in society will not bear fruit. The love of God and the love of neighbour are not simply nice ideas; they are commandments at the heart of the wood’s great religious traditions, and they must find a secure place in each human heart.

The great gift of World Interfaith Harmony Week is the emphasis that we place on the work of organizations and groups at the local level, where the lives of so many are touched and transformed directly, and where the love of God and the love of neighbour find tangible, practical application. This annual prize-giving ceremony not only awards those who have done outstanding work in this arena; it also highlights the many ventures around the world – a growing number each year – which seek to promote those values and virtues that are vital to the common human future that we must build together.

We congratulate this year’s prize winners, and we encourage all those others who have shared with us the work that you are doing around the world. We bring to all of you the spiritual blessings of Jerusalem, the city that is holy and dear to us all. All people of peace and good will are the children of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem stands, as it has stood for millennia as a beacon of hope in a troubled and anxious world.

May God bless us all as we seek to live more completely the commandment to love God and our neighbor, and May God give us all the strength and courage to advance the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week wherever we live and work.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 23 April 2014

Your Beatitude, Patriarch Nourhan,

Your Eminences,

Beloved Members of our Respective Brotherhoods,

Dear Fathers,

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

This blessed Paschal celebration gives us the opportunity to visit you, Your Beatitude, and to be among the Armenian Brotherhood in this spirit of fellowship and Easter joy. We are glad that we are reaping the good fruits of the cooperation and mutual understanding that exist between our communities. This proves so well that dialogue in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is the most powerful and effective way in which to solve family challenges.

We wish to commend you, Your Beatitude, for the leadership that you have exercised since your election. We to whom the leaders of the Christian communities of the Holy Land have been entrusted to bear a special burden that can only be shouldered with the help of the grace and mercy of God.

As we bring our Easter greetings to you, we are fully aware of the terrible plight of the suffering of our fellow Christians in many countries, and especially in our neighboring region. We know of your own personal connection to the Armenian community in Syria, and we assure you of our prayers for the Armenian people in Syria, in Armenia itself, and around the world.

May the Light that shines from the Tomb of Christ on this Feast of Feasts be a beacon of hope and a source of strength to us all as we seek to be faithful in the spiritual mission that has been entrusted to us in our beloved Holy Land.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III,

Patriarch of Jerusalem

On Bright Tuesday, the 9^th/22^nd of April 2014, the long since established Paschal visits of Christian Churches to the Patriarchate took place.

In the context of this institution, Franciscan monks visited our Patriarchate under their Abbot and Custodian of the Holy Land, f. Pierrebatista Pizzaballa.

The monks were received by Hagiotaphite Fathers, under Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

Through the address of the Franciscan custodian and the reply speech of His Beatitude, this year’s common celebration of Easter was underlined, together with the current collaboration between Christian Churches in the Holy Sepulcher. A wish was made that this collaboration shall continue for the benefit of Christians in the Holy Land.

The Franciscans were followed by other Churches, the Latin Patriarchate, the Lutherans, the Copts, the Syrians, the Anglicans and persons linked to them.

The Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem made an address on behalf of all, whereas His Beatitude replied in English, see: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/22/5969

Subsequently, the Patriarchate was visited by Mr Azam Hadib, President of the Waqf of Solomon’s Temple. Mr Hadib is in charge of the area of the Temple of Solomon – Haram-al-Sharif as well as shrines connected to it, in the name of Jordan and the Palestinian Autonomy.

In his address, Mr Hadib talked of respect for the rights of every Community in Jerusalem, and the significance of a peaceful religious coexistence.

Around noon, the Patriarchate was visited by the Armenians, under His Eminence Archbishop Ari Savrenian. During the meeting, wishes were exchanged for a harmonious Christian coexistence in the Holy Land, devoid of altercations.

His Beatitude Theophilos replied in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/04/22/5972

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/CW770BKamEY

Jerusalem, 22 April 2014

Your Beatitude, Patriarch Nourhan,

Your Eminences,

Your Graces,

Dear Members of our Respective Brotherhoods,

Reverend Fathers,

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

With these words of joy, we welcome you to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as we celebrate the Feast of Feasts. For “this is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Ps 117:24).

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call to mind that we are those whom Divine Providence has summoned to be the guardians and the servants of the Holy Places. The Holy Places are the undeniable and ageless witness of our sacred history, for here the Light has shined from the Most Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ into our darkened world. For this Light dawned here first of all, and so made the earthly Jerusalem fully the image of the heavenly Jerusalem. Here the first day of the new Creation dawned upon the world.

The eyes of all are directed to Jerusalem in this holy season – that is, they are directed on us. We should never forget that millions of people in every country take courage and inspiration from the celebration of the events of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection in the Holy City, especially at a time of untold suffering, when our sister and brother Christians face so much fear and danger.

Jerusalem is the living oasis of the resurrection, and the Holy Places are the vibrant testimony of this reality. Our mission in the diakonia – in the self-emptying service -of the Holy Places, is a responsibility beyond ourselves and our region to all those, who look to Jerusalem in hope. Even the holy and glorious Apostles, who were sent by our Lord Jesus Christ to bring the light of the resurrection to all lands, were never cut off from Jerusalem.

So it is with us. Jerusalem is not of the past. Jerusalem remains a tangible, God-given and God-sustained source of the hope of the resurrection, and it is our responsibility to maintain this reality in ways that evident and life-giving.

May God grant to us all the strength and the resolve to be true and humble guardians and servants, that the Light that dawns from the Tomb may shine brightly in our life and spiritual mission.  We wish you all the blessings of this glorious Paschal Feast.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Thank you.

His Beatitude

Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 22 April 2014

Your Beatitudes, Your Eminences, Your Graces,

Dear Members of our Respective Brotherhoods,

Reverend Fathers,

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Shine, shine, new Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Rejoice and be glad, Ο Sion! And you, All-pure Mother of God, delight in the resurrection of the One to whom you gave birth!

 (from The Resurrection Service, the 9^Th Ode)

With these words of joy from the Resurrection Service, we welcome you to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as we celebrate the Feast of Feasts. For “this is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Ps 117:24).

In this year, when Christians of the East and the West celebrate Holy Week and Easter at the same time, we who are the chief shepherds and leaders of the Churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land are given an important opportunity to be witnesses together of the Light that shines in our darkened world from the Most Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. For this Light dawned here first of all, and so made the earthly Jerusalem fully the image of the heavenly Jerusalem. Here the first day of the new Creation dawned upon the world.

The hope that is revealed in Jerusalem on this Paschal Feast is the hope of the world, and the delight of the Mother of God is the delight of humankind. For the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is nothing less than the full restoration of our human nature to the glory which God has intended for us from the beginning. As our Lord Jesus Christ descended into Hades and broke the bonds of death for ever, so he has opened to all the promise of eternity and union with the Father. In the resurrection, the Father makes manifest the promise of the vision of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1).

We rejoice today, because our common witness to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was made this year in a spirit of fraternal co-operation between our communities, and such a common witness is of supreme importance. The eyes of all are directed to Jerusalem in this holy season, and millions of people in every country take courage and inspiration from the celebration of the events of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection in the Holy City. Our first responsibility as the Churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land is so to live our life here that we may be a beacon of hope, justice, love, and reconciliation to a world in which there is so much despair, evil, hatred, and division.

Even as we celebrate the triumph of life over death in this Easter season, our region remains in a state of tremendous challenge and difficulty. Our Christian communities in the Holy Land depend on us for pastoral care, spiritual nourishment, and attentive encouragement, so that they may know the power of the resurrection in their own lives. We cannot allow any pre-occupation or trivial concern to distract us from this primary religious mission to our people. For the words that Saint Paul addressed to the elders of the Church in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles are addressed also to us: “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son” (Acts 20:28).

Needless to say, our pastoral concern extends beyond our own region especially to all those parts of the world where Christians are persecuted for their faith and where religious freedom is denied. The Christian faith respects the dignity of every human person, and so respects the faith of others; Christians should be respected in turn, and we are rightly concerned with those parts of the world, where this does not happen.

We also take this opportunity to pray that the Light that shines from the Tomb of Christ that has spread throughout the streets of Jerusalem and the cities and towns of all our communities in our believed Holy Land may be a light that continues to lead us on the road to peace, so that Christians, Jews, and Muslims may enjoy the fruits of peace, live joyfully together, and be an example of respectful co-existence to the world.

Let us rejoice, therefore, with the Most Holy Mother of God and all the saints today, and with the Church throughout the world, for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon us. Let us take strength from the Light that shines from the Tomb, for this is the Light that has come into the world – the Light that the darkness can never defeat (cf. John 1:4-5).

We thank you for your Paschal Greetings, and we wish you all, and the members of your communities, the abiding peace of this Feast.

Ο divine, Ο beloved, Ο most sweet voice! You, Ο Christ, have truly promised

 that you would be with us to the end of all the ages:

Therefore, Ο you faithful, rejoice! For we have Christ’s words as our anchor of hope.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

Theophilos ΙΙΙ

Patriarch of Jerusalem