Before noon on Saturday the 27^th of November/10^th of December 2016, a forty-member group of Squadrons 341 and 347 of the Hellenic Air Force, under squadron leader, Demetrios Gritzaliotis, and accompanied by the representative of the Greek Embassy in Israel, Mr Broumas, visited the Patriarchate.

The group was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

His Beatitude praised the members of the group for their mission to defend their homeland and referred to the Patriarchate’s own mission in the religious field, to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to safeguard the Holy Shrines, as well as to its cultural and peacemaking mission vis-a-vis the as yet unresolved political situation in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

Extending thanks, this select air force group received the Patriarch’s blessings and went on to venerate at the Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Land.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/GxfepxqmD2E

On the morning of Wednesday, the 24^th of November/7^th of December 2016, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Mr Olav Fykse Tveit, accompanied by Ms Marianne Ejdersten, Director of Communications, and former Jordan MP and member of the Central Committee of the WCC, Mr Ode Kawas, was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, and the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina.

An interesting discussion unfolded in the context of the meeting, on the Christian character of Jerusalem, the position of Christians in the Middle East and the possibilities for humanitarian aid in view of the problems facing Christians in the occupied areas of Palestine and elsewhere.

On this occasion, His Beatitude expressed the Patriarchate’s interest in continuing to participate in and collaborating with the World Council of Churches.

On the conclusion of the meeting, the General Secretary of the WCC offered His Beatitude a cross and emblem of the WCC. The Patriarch reciprocated with icons of Theotokos to the three guests, as well as an icon of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday, the 23rd of November/6th of December 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, demonstrating in practice His concern aboout refugees displaced from Syria, visited the Badia refugee camp in Jordan.

Ms Wafa Gousous, Rum Orthodox from Karak, and Director of the Patriarchate’s Office in Amman, had already visited the camp to offer humanitarian help. During His visit, Patriarch Theophilos offered food, clothing and toys for the children.  Fully aware of the harsh conditions of living facing the members of the aforementioned camp, especially during winter, His Beatitude appealed to the International Community, persons and organizations, to supply practical aid through the Patriarchate’s Office in Amman, so as to ease Jordan’s financial burden.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/C5kJLQIqPkU

On the afternoon of the 14^th/27^th of November 2016, a music event performed by the Choir of St James the Brother of God Cathedral and “Branko” Choir of the Patriarchate of Serbia took place in the auditorium of Notre Dame Hotel, near the New Gate. The event was hosted by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The music performance was held on the approval of His Beatitude Theophilos, who attended the event accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, the Assistant Dragoman, Archimandrite Mathew, the Master of Ceremonies, f. Bartholomew, former Principal, f. Nikolaos Zervis, Ambassador Heraklis Asteriades and other.

Troparia and songs were performed in the traditional Serbian style. For details, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/27/28049

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/NNjCE-79MdQ

On Tuesday, the 16^th/29^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite and Hieromartyr at Jacob’s Well, the site of his martyrdom.

Hailing from Orounta, Cyprus, St Philoumen, Hagiotaphite since a young age, was serving as hegumen at Jacob’s Well when, in 1979, he was attacked by a fanatic Jew and suffered death at the chapel near the Well.

He was canonized by the Church of Jerusalem in 2009, on the site where the Lord had revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman. His relic is kept at the chapel dedicated to his name, to the south of St Photini Church, built by the hegumen, Hieromonk Ioustinos. To the north side of the church, a chapel has been attached, dedicated to St Ioustinos, philosopher and martyr from Nablus.

The divine Liturgy was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia and Hagiotaphite Hieromonks such as Archimandrites Ignatios and Mathew, and Hierodeacons Markos and Demetrios. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, Arabic, Russian and Romanian, whilst the Choir of the Community of Raffidia sang in Arabic. The service was attended by a pious congregation from Greece, Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Cyprus.

During His sermon, Patriarch Theophilos said Hieromartyr Philoumenos had, since childhood, listened to the biddings of St Paul, saying: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12, 1-2).

“If we wish to receive the light of the Gospel’s glory”, the Patriarch said, “we must conform to Christ in His death, participate in His persecutions and sufferings, so that we somehow attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3, 11).

“In other words”, His Beatitude said, “without temptation, trials and adversities, it is impossible for us to become worthy of the salvation of our souls” and went on to add that the memory of the holy martyrs calls us to realize that a Christian’s way of life is not of this world but must be inspired from the words of our God and Saviour, Christ.

In Arabic, the Patriarch’s sermon can be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/30/25767

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the hegumen hosted guests to a reception followed by monastic lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PlzyZEuCz44

On the afternoon of Sunday, the 14^th/27^th of November 2017, a forty-member group of the Hellenic Air Force, particularly of the 383 Special Operations and Air Fire Fighting Squadron, accompanied by the representative of the Greek Embassy to Israel, Mr Broumas, visited the Patriarchate. Over recent days, the group had provided active and effective support to the extinguishment of the extensive wildfire that broke out in the city of Haifa.

The group was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers, including the Assistant Sacristan of the Holy Sepulchre, Archimandrite Polycarpos, who had served in the Hellenic Air Force before joining the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. Patriarch Theophilos praised officers for their decision to participate, at the risk of their own lives, in the extinguishment of the wildfires that had destroyed a large area of natural environment and the residences of approximately 70.000 people, now homeless.

This act, His Beatitude said, demonstrates the conviction on our shared human nature and love for our fellow human beings, independent of race, colour and religion, whilst contributing to the consolidation of the relations between Greece and Israel.

Extending thanks for the blessing of having visited the Holy Sepulchre and received its moral enhancement, the Hellenic Air Force group offered His Beatitude a medal with its emblem. Patriarch Theophilos offered an icon of Panaghia Jerusalemite and of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/5-izNdgqyd4

Jerusalem, 14/27 of November 2016

THE ST. JACOB ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL CHOIR.

1. Troparion of the Holy CrossTone I
   O Lord, save Thy people.

And bless Thane inheritance

Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians

Over their adversaries,

and by virtue of Thy cross.

Preserve Thy habitation.

2. Who have received Baptism

       As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Halleluiah

3. Sunday of the Pentecost (Dismissal Hymn Tone 4)
   Blessed art Thou, Christ our God Who hadst

made the fishermen most wise by sending down

upon the Holy Spirit, and by them didst, draw the world

into Thy net, Ο Merciful Lord, Gloiy to Thee..

4. Kontakion of the Akathist

Unto you, Ο Theotokos, invincible Champion, your City, in thanksgiving ascribes           the victory for the deliverance from sufferings. And having your might                   unassailable, free us from all dangers. So that we may try unto you:

Rejoice, Ο Bride Ever-Virgin.

5. Troparion of The Birth of Jesus Christ (Tone 4)
   Your Nativity, Ο Christ our God, Has shone to the
   World the Light of Wisdom. For by it , those who worshipped the stars worshipped the stars, were taught by a Star lo adore You,
   The Sun of Righteousness, And to know You,the Orient from on High. Ο Lord, groly to You.

6. Exapostelarion

Thy bridal Chamber, Ο my Saviour, do I behold all adorned, and a garment I have            not that I may enter therein. Illumine the garment of my soul, Ο Giver of light,      and save me.

7. “O Pure Virgin”

2 Verses (Agni Parthene )

in Arabic hymn composed by Si. Nectarios of Aegina,

drawn from the Theotokarion ( Book of hymns to the Mother of God).

 THE CHURCH CHORAL SOCIETY “BRANKO”.

1. Holy is the Lord our God (from the All Night Vigil).

Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

2. Our Father.

Nikolaj Kedrov, senior (1871-1910)

4. The Royal Litany.

Unknown Serbian Composer

5. Praise the name of the Lord.

Stevan St. Mokranjac (1856-1914

6. No one is as Holy as Thee {from the Serbian Requiem)

Stevan St. Mokranjac (1856-1914)

7. God is with us (A Christmas Hymn) Pavel Chesnokov (1877-1944)
8. Easter Antiphon

Vastljev and Grebeshnikov

9. Serbian woman (a Serbian Folk song)

Isidor Bajic (1878-1975)

10. The Swallows Flew Above

Jovica Gavrilovie

11. 2 Songs from Kosovo

arrangement Bojan Stankovic

12.  Far away.

A Serbian Song from World War I

Soloists

Marijana Radosavijevic, soprano

Danica Gostovie, contralto

Mario Petrovic, tenor

Andrej Cincarevic, baritone.

On Saturday, the 13^th/26^th of November 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed the consecration ceremony for St George the Great Martyr Church of the Rum Orthodox Arabic-speaking Community in the town of Peki’in, Northern Israel, that falls under the Bishopric of Acre.

Built over recent years, the Church was decorated on the economic and moral subvention of the Patriarchate so as to serve the veneration needs of the aforementioned community, in light of the narrowness of the earlier Church.

His Beatitude led the divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrite Mathew, the Master-of-Ceremonies, f. Bartholomew, and Hierodeacon Markos, as well as the church priest, f. Athanasios, and Arabic-speaking priests from adjacent towns. Archimandrite Philotheos, Patriarchal Commissioner in Accra sang for the Orthodox congregation of the parish.

During His sermon, Patriarch Theophilos referred to the words of the Evangelist John: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1, 14) and “out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given (John 1, 16).

“In truth”, His Beatitude said, “the Church of Christ, disseminated across the entire world, offers the bloodless sacrifice, namely the symbols of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ in altars consecrated by Christ”. “Christ”, Patriarch Theophilos added, “entered the House of God, namely heavenly Church, through the curtain that is His own flesh and blood, according to St Paul: Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body (Hebrews 10, 19).

Patriarch Theophilos also spoke of St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, faithful friend of the Arch-Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and His emulator par excellence.

In Arabic, the sermon can be reached here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/26/25685

A great crowd participated in the Holy Communion, receiving the Patriarch’s blessing after the apolysis.

Patriarch Theophilos offered an icon of St George for the new Church.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Community hosted His Beatitude to lunch, during which He spoke in Arabic, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/26/25687

Patriarch Theophilos then offered Church Commissioner Soukri the amount of 25.000 shekel for the completion of the decoration of the Church.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/V0R8iKOZuG0

On the morning of Wednesday, the 10^th/23^rd of November 2016, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem bestowed the medal of Small Crusader of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre to Cypriot pilgrim Stavros Ktorides for his contribution, alongside Christos Panteli, also present, to the Holy Icons and other ecclesiastical items in the Holy Shrines.

Moved, Mr Ktorides warmly thanked His Beatitude and pledged to carry on offering his help to the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/KuhmmeFYrvM

On the morning of Wednesday, the 10^th/23^rd of November 2016, His Excellency Mihalui Geza, the Hungarian ambassador to Ramallah, offered the amount of 100.000 to His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, as contribution from his country to the ongoing restoration project on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

Extending warm thanks, His Beatitude offered the Ambassador wishes for prosperity in his country and the blessing of the All-holy and Life-giving Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/FszlIolBTT8