1

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF SWEDEN VISITS PATRIARCHATE

In the morning of Saturday the 16th/29th of March 2014, a delegation of thirty representatives of Sweden’s Christian Churches visited the Patriarchate.

The delegation, numbering approximately thirty pilgrims, represents Christian Churches in Sweden, namely Orthodox, Roman-Catholics, Lutherans, Ante-Chalcidonians etc.

The group, which is representative of the Christian entity in Sweden, living in liberty, was received by H.B. Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

To the members of this group, clerics and laymen alike, His Beatitude spoke about the Patriarchate as the Church of the Holy Land, assigned since the early days of Christianity with the spiritual guidance of Christians in the Holy Land, the safekeeping of the Holy Pilgrimage Sites, and management of the property which allows the preservation of Christians in the Holy Land.

The work of the Patriarchate also extends to philanthropy, as demonstrated in the case of the displaced from Syria, and to education, by maintaining its Schools.

At the end of the discussion, His Beatitude offered all members of the group Jerusalemite Hagiotaphite eulogias, after which they went on to visit the Christian Communities in Jerusalem and the occupied areas.

From the Secretariat-General




HIS BEATITUDE THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM IN RAMALLAH

On the evening of Friday the 15th/28th of March 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the service for the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations to Theotokos in the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour for the Rum Orthodox, Arab-speaking Community of Ramallah, of the Palestinian State.

In this big city of the Palestinian Autonomy, the Patriarchate maintains a Community numbering approximately seven thousand members. The head of the Community is Hagiotaphite Archimandrite f. Galaktion, aided by Steward f. Yacoub.

His Beatitude was warmly received by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Galaktion, f. Yacoub, members of the Church Board and the faithful, before proceeding to lead the Salutations of the Fourth Stasis. Co-officiating were the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; Metropolitan Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmeltnisky and Vishnevsky, visiting from Ukraine; the Very Reverend Archimandrite Ieronymos; Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Dionysios.

The Canon of Joseph the Hymnographer “Let me open my mouth” was chanted by cantor f. Yusef Il-Far while a crowd of men and women accompanied him with piety.

Before the Apolysis, His Beatitude addressed the congregation in Arabic, see link:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/04/28/4325

Subsequently, in honour of cantor Yusef Il-Far’s contribution and service to the Church, His Beatitude presented him with the Medal of the Holy Sepulcher.

During this pastoral visit, during which His Beatitude was informed of the problems facing the Ramallah Community, thanks were extended by Hegoumen Galaktion, Members of the Church Board and Mr Yusef Il-Far for the honour bestowed upon him.

On this occasion, His Beatitude offered the amount of ten thousand euro (€10.000) for the Community’s Students Fund.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Eko_X1nrBRQ

httpv://youtu.be/afheSwChNQ4




ISRAEL’S CIVIL ADMINISTRATION VISITS PATRIARCHATE

On Thursday the 14th/27th of March 2014, the General Military Commander of Israel’s Civil Administration in the occupied territories of Bethlehem, Jericho and Samaria, Mr David Menachem, visited the Patriarchate accompanied by the Military Commander of Bethlehem, Mr Yael, his assistant Mr Yazeed and the Director of the Christian Affairs Department, Mr Sesar Margie.

Mr Menachem inquired His Beatitude about the needs of the Patriarchate as regards the impending feast of Easter and facilitations for the faithful in terms of crossing the checkpoints from the occupied territories to Jerusalem.

His Beatitude thanked the Military Commander for his cooperation and asked that the significance of Easter to Christians residing in Jerusalem be taken into account in terms of facilitating the participation in the feast of Christians from the occupied territories as well as of pilgrims.

In the context of the visit, His Beatitude offered Mr Menachem a silver representation of the transfer of the cluster of grapes by Israeli spies having visited the city of Jericho.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/u810bD_npII




JORDANIAN MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS VISITS PATRIARCHATE

In the afternoon of Thursday, 14th/27th of March 2014, the Minister of Public Works of Jordan, Mr Sami Halasa, a Christian Rum Orthodox from Karak, South Jordan, visited the Patriarchate in the company of his family.

The Honourable Minister was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of the Patriarchal Commissioner and the Elder Secretary-General.

An interesting discussion took place in the context of this meeting, on the close ties between our Patriarchate and the birthplace of Mr Halasa, namely the city of Karak; also, on the harmonious relations between the Patriarchate and the Hashemite family and the country of Jordan.

Having received His Beatitude’s blessings, namely an icon of the Resurrection made of “madre perla” in Bethlehem, and pectoral crosses for the wife and children, the Minister’s family went on to visit the Church of the Resurrection for veneration. The following day, a visit was scheduled to the Cavern and the Basilica of the Nativity.

From the Secretariat-General




PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM DECORATES CYPRIOT CHRISTOS PANTELIS

On Saturday the 9th/22nd of March 2014, H.B. Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, conferred upon Cypriot pilgrim Mr Christos Pantelis, the title of Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

For more than twenty years now, Mr Christos Pantelis has been the Director of the Byzantine Choir and President of the Association of Cypriot Pilgrims to the Holy Sepulcher. Mr Pantelis and his choir chant during the feasts of the Holy Monastery of Hojeva and on His Beatitude’s name-day. They visit in the company of pilgrims who have greatly contributed to the conservation of the All-holy Pilgrimage Sites, and financed the painting of icons, for instance the iconostasis of the town of Pkea Community in Northern Israel. They have also contributed towards the purchase of church vessels and the baptismal of infants from our congregation.

For his contribution to the choir and the Church as a whole, especially the Church of Jerusalem, His Beatitude conferred upon Mr Christos Pantelis this Hagiotaphite honorary title, inviting him to devote himself to similar activities for Northern Jordan too, where His Eminence Philoumenos, Archbishop of Pella, has been serving as Commissioner for the past year.

Touched and extending his thanks to His Beatitude, Mr Pantelis pledged to carry on supporting the work of the Church of Sion with the same zeal.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/9WnbFIK75nk




“FOUR HOMES OF MERCY” IN BETHANY, OF THE LATE H. SIKSEL

On Thursday the 7th/20th of March 2014, Ms Randa Siksek and Ms Nadia George Karaa visited His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in order to extend their thanks over the fact that He led the funeral service for the late Henrietta Siksek, who passed away on Saturday the 2nd/15th of March 2014, at the age of 96.

The late Henrietta Siksek was the founder of a very significant charitable project known as “Four Homes of Mercy” in Bethany. The foundation, of the Siksek family, provided shelter to thousands of elder people and children abandoned by their families, people suffering from incurable mental and other diseases. Today, the “Four Homes of Mercy” hosts approximately seventy residents.

During His meeting with Ms Randa Siksek, a relative of the late Henrietta Siksek, and Ms Nadia George Karaa, current Director of the “Homes”, His Beatitude praised the selfless and extensive charitable work of the late H. Siksek. In order to contribute to the continuation of this work, His Beatitude offered the amount of €10.000 to be deposited into a special bank account, its savings intended for the education of children residing at the foundation. Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina contributed 10.000 USD$ for the same purpose.

Extending her thanks, Ms Randa Simon Siksek offered His Beatitude a text from the Old and New Testaments published in three volumes by the Church of Russia in 1821. The volumes belonged to the late George Siksek, who translated the Great Horologion from Greek into Arabic.

His Beatitude delivered the books to Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, who also serves as Librarian, for safekeeping.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Yq1-xMfQWD8




ISRAELI MINISTER OF TOURISM VISITS PATRIARCHATE

On Tuesday the 26th of February/11th of March 2014, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Mr Landau Uzi, accompanied by associates of his, visited the Patriarchate. The Honourable Minister was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude thanked the Minister for his Ministry’s approval of the request to supply water to the Monastery of Mount Tabor, and referred to the matter of the unhindered access of pilgrims to the Church of the Resurrection; to the Ceremony of the Holy Light on Easter Saturday; and to the anticipated visit of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, next May.

In his response, the Minister assured His Beatitude that the Ministry of Tourism proposes to unreservedly help and support the Patriarchate both as regards these and other issues.

To commemorate the visit, gifts were exchanged between His Beatitude and the Minister.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/17VF7lPSaOI




SECOND DAY OF PAN-ORTHODOX SYNAXIS AT THE PHANAR

During the proceedings of the afternoon of Thursday, the 21st of February/6th of March 2013, namely the first day of the Pan-Orthodox Synaxis, the Primates discussed the location of the Great Synod in Constantinople and in the Church of St Irene, where the Second Ecumenical Synod was convened. The decision-making process, by consensus or majority, was also discussed.

Deliberations on the aforementioned matters as well as on the matter of the number of Primates from each Church, continued during the second day of the Synaxis’ proceedings, namely on Friday the 22nd of February/7th of  March 2014, in the course of its morning session. The afternoon session was dedicated to the service of the Akathist Hymn, that is the First Stasis of the Salutations of Theotokos, in the church of the Great Archangels, officiated by His Beatitude Theodore II, Patriarch of Alexandria.

On the evening of the same day, the members of the Pan-Orthodox Synaxis were hosted to dinner at the Community Hall of the District of the Bosphorous, under the pastoral supervision of His Eminence Irinaios, Metropolitan of Myriofyton and Peristasis.

During the aforementioned dinner, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the Primates with this speech:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/03/07/4877

This concluded the proceedings of the second day of the Pan-Orthodox Synaxis in Constantinople, namely Friday the 22nd of February/7th of March 2014.

From the Secretariat-General




ADDRESS OF H.B. THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM THEOPHILOS III AT THE DINNER IN THE COMMUNITY HALL-CONSTANTINOPLE.

Constantinople, March 7TH, 2014

 

Your All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I,

Venerable Patriarchs and Archbishops,

Primates of the Holy Orthodox Churches,

Your Eminence Metropolitan Eireneos of Myriophyton and Peristasis,

Beloved brothers in Christ,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The gift of the grace of God is truly great for Us to be present here with you in the Queen of cities, the city of Constantine the Great, the city where the Ecumenical Synods took place, and to be extended hospitality in the embrace of the Great Church of Christ at the brotherly invitation of Our beloved brother in Christ, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

It is also truly great that We, as representatives of Our flocks, which have been entrusted to Us, overcame obstacles, surpassed impediments, and have disregarded differences between Us, not giving them attention whatsoever. We have gathered here, all together, in the same place so that we can confess Our undisputed Orthodox faith in love and in the union of peace, especially today with the service of the Akathyst Hymn, which was chanted for the first time in this city, and on the upcoming Sunday of Orthodoxy, in Our declaration proclaiming the holy icons as a confirmation of the salvific truth, i.e. the Incarnation of the Son and Word of God by the Holy Spirit and through the Ever-Virgin Mary, our Lord and God Jesus Christ.

Therefore, We are grateful to God for His gift to Us; Our calling to be children of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church of Christ, as well as participants of this Synaxis. We are aware of the responsibility that has been placed on Our shoulders. Let Us prepare ourselves in prayer and humility, and giving the honor to the others for the Holy and Great Synod of Orthodoxy, so that through it, We may confess the reason of life to both Our flocks and to the world, for the salvation of all people and for the glory of Our Triune God.

Therefore, we warmly thank His-All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his Abrahamic hospitality in the tents of the Great Church of Christ. We would also like to thank His Eminence Metropolitan Eireneos of Myriophyton and Peristasis, as well as the President of the Community Hall, Mr. Georgios Papaliaris, for the offering of this dinner, and to all those who assisted in the harmonious function of this Pan-Orthodox Synaxis.

Thank you.

 

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem




GATHERING OF HEADS OF CHURCHES IN CONSTANTINOPLE

Keeping our readers up to date with the Patriarchate’s participation in the Gathering of the Heads of Churches in Constantinople, we would like to inform you that His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by His retinue, arrived safely in Constantinople on the evening of Lean Wednesday, the 20th of February/5th of March 2014.

Acting on behalf of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Most Reverend Iacovos, Metropolitan of Princes islands, and Hierodeacon Gregorios welcomed His Beatitude at the airport and escorted him to the Hilton Hotel to rest on the first day of His arrival.

The following day, Thursday the 21st of February/6th of March 2014, the Pan-Orthodox Gathering convened at the Church of St George the Great Martyr, in the Phanar.

Participating in the Gathering are all the Heads of Orthodox Churches, with the exception of the Patriarch of Antioch, who is represented by a delegate, and the Church of the Check Republic, which is troubled by leadership problems.

A prayer requesting the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit was followed by a speech by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

After welcoming the Heads of Churches, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred to previously held Gatherings in Jerusalem, Patmos, and elsewhere, aimed at providing an answer, by means of the declared unity of the Orthodox Church, to problems facing man today, especially those recently emerged, i.e. technology, bioethics, the natural environment and society’s economic structure. The unity of the Orthodox Church is secured through the long established institution of the synodicity of the Orthodox Church. Through this institution, Orthodox Churches have, for the past fifty years, since the days of the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, been preparing for a series of Pan-Orthodox Conferences. In keeping with this tradition, the present Gathering will look into the topics to be discussed during the future Great Synod of Orthodoxy, and into the Message to be announced to the contemporary world.

Following the address of the Ecumenical Patriarch, each of the Heads of the Orthodox Churches went on to refer, in their own speech, to the importance of the Gathering, as well as to problems that are specific to their respective Churches.

In His address, His Beatitude Theophilos expressed the wish that the Spirit of the Pentecost cast its light upon everyone present during the days of their Gathering, and that it enable all to experience the Holy and Great Forty-Day Period through fasting and praying before celebrating with joy the Holy Resurrection.

After lunch hosted by His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew, at a Bosporus restaurant, the meeting resumed in the afternoon.

From the Secretariat-General