On Friday the 18^th of November 2016, a Christmas Bazaar, supplemented by a performance featuring various local traditions, took place in the area between the Bishopric and the Cathedral of the Archbishopric of Qatar.

The event included Christmas songs by the Youth Choir of the Ukrainian Music School in Doha, the Mixed Choir of the Roman Catholic Church, children from Catechism School and the Mixed Choir of Romanians and Serbs.

Handmade Christmas ornaments, presents and objects of piety were made through the contribution of the Association of the Myrrh-Bearing Women [Myrophorae], the Youth Club and members of the flock. Also on offer was a large variety of eatables from the Arabic, Greek, Serbian, Romanian, Moldavian and Ukrainian cuisine, courtesy of various companies and ladies from the flock.

The event was honoured by the presence of the Ambassadors of Cyprus, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldavia, and representatives of the Embassies of Greece, Georgia and Serbia in Qatar, as well as of other denominations in Doha.

The great crowd of Qatar Orthodox and members of other Christian Communities sealed the success of the event.

From the Holy Archbishopric of Qatar

On Wednesday, the 3^rd/16^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate celebrated the translation of the relics of St George the Trophy Bearer in the city of Lydda.

The feast commemorates the translation of the holy relics of St George from Rome where he had suffered a martyr’s death to his mother’s birthplace in Lydda. The relics were then placed in a tomb upon which, between 326 and 336 AD, St Helen founded a magnificent Church that went on to serve as veneration centre for the Christian Community in Lydda. The city draws its origins from the years of the New Testament (Acts 9, 32).

Patriarchal Liturgy was held on the aforementioned day, led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had as concelebrants: Metropolitan Panteleimon of the Church of Xanthi, Greece; Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, and Metropolitan Theodosios, visiting from the Church of Russia; Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, led by Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegumen in Fhes, as well as priests from Communities adjacent to Lydda, and deacons Agapios and Markos. A crowd of faithful from cities of Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy venerated the Tomb of St George, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, Russian and Arabic. Members of the Rum Orthodox Community of Lydda sang in Arabic in the presence of the Serbian Ambassador in Tel Aviv.

To the pious congregation, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, pointing out that when St George proclaimed himself a Christian in front of Diocletian and the Roman Parliament, he suffered cruel torture and a martyr’s death. “The saint’s desire”, said His Beatitude, “was neither emotional nor illusory. It was a fervent desire, moved by the enlightening power of faith in Christ, the light and truth of the world. “Whoever believes in me” said the Lord, “has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3, 36); and elsewhere: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mathew 16, 24-26).

“In other words”, Patriarch Theophilos added, “George’s desire for Christ was the desire to acquire freedom in Christ, freedom that relieves man of the worship of material and earthy things, whilst bringing out the magnificence of his soul”.

In Arabic, the Patriarch’s sermon can be reached here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/15/25377

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Nicodemus, hegumen at St George, hosted the Patriarchal Entourage at the hegumeneion, together with Ambassadors, the members of the Church Board, and others.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/izvyaFy95wk

On Saturday, the 30^th of October/12^th of November 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, crossed the bridge of the River Jordan to arrive at the Patriarchate’s Bishopric in Amman, from where He left for the city of Mafraq, Northern Jordan.

The Patriarch was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrite Hieronymos, hegumen in Fhes, f. Issa Mousleh, and Hierodeacon Markos.

Nearing the city, His Beatitude was courteously greeted by a delegation of officials before being welcomed to the Church of the Dormition of Theotokos of the Mafrak Community, numbering approximately 120 families, by Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella, Archimandrite Hieronymos, some twenty priests of adjacent parishes, the members of the Church Board and a crowd of faithful.

The Patriarch went on to lead panegyric Vespers before inaugurating a hall built on the subvention of the Patriarchate, to host several events organized by the Rum Orthodox Community.

During dinner hosted in the inaugurated hall, His Beatitude addressed attendants in Arabic, see: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/12/25264 and offered financial aid amounting to ten thousand dinars.

Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella extended thanks for the aid and for the Patriarch’s overall moral and material support, offering Him an enameled icon.

The following day, Sunday the 31^st of October/13^th of November 2016, a Joint Prelatic Liturgy was held in the aforementioned church, led by His Beatitude, who had as concelebrants: Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina and Philoumenos of Pella, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, local priests, Hierodeacon Markos and deacon Evangelos Psiaras. Attending the service was the Greek Ambassador to Jordan, Mr V. Bornovas. A choir of young men and women sang in Greek and Arabic for a large congregation.

Patriarch Theophilos preached the Word of God in Greek, referring to the wise and salvaging word of the Apostles, the Gospel of Christ’s Love. “This is the light”, the Patriarch said, “of Christ, the Sun of justice, we are called upon to put on, not the porphyry of the unjust rich man of today’s Evangelical pericope, indulging in material goods and looking down on impoverished Lazaros who had wished to feed on crumbs falling from the rich man’s table”.

To explain the pericope, the Patriarch spoke of man’s condition in this world and his condition in life after death, where his soul will be judged by the Son of God according to the testament of the Evangelist John: “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.  By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5, 26-30).

In Arabic, the sermon can be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2016/11/13/25262

After the Apolysis, the pious congregation venerated the Holy Cross, held by His Beatitude, and received the antidoron and an icon of Theotokos.

Patriarch Theophilos offered a Byzantine icon of Theotokos for the Church, and a pectoral cross for the priest, f. Demetrios Samai. An enameled icon of Theotokos was offered by the Community to His Beatitude.

During the reception that followed, the Patriarch offered financial blessings to the choir and to the Women’s Association.

At noon, His Beatitude and Entourage sat at lunch hosted in his honour by the Community.

On the way to Amman, Patriarch Theophilos was toured by a Jordan archaeologist to the ruins of two recently excavated Byzantine churches with mosaics and Greek inscriptions, in the Irhab area. From there, He left for the Bishopric of Amman from where He returned to Jerusalem, praising God for this visit.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 29^th of October/11^th of November 2016, the feast of St Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer was observed belatedly at St Demetrius church in Raffidia, at a short distance from Jacob’s well, in Nablus, Samaria.

In this church, built by the ever-memorable Patriarch Cyril circa 1850, Patriarch Theophilos led the divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia, Archimandrites Epiphanius and Leontios, Archdeacon Marcos and Hierodeacon Agapius. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right in Greek, as cantors sang in Arabic on the left. Parishioners, a minority within a Muslim population, observed mass in piety.

To the pious congregation, His Beatitude delivered a sermon in Greek, quoting the Evangelical pericope of the day: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15, 26-27).

“This testament”, Patriarch Theophilos said, “that ‘you have been with me from the beginning’, is fervently proclaimed by the Church of Christ, constituted and held together by the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, namely the Spirit of God and Christ our Saviour”.

St Demetrius, His Beatitude added, imitated Christ’s life-giving passion, from which he drew the energy of miracles and the enlightening power to teach the Gospel’s message, but also to heal diseases.

“Let us all beseech St Demetrius”, Patriarch Theophilos concluded, “through the mediation of Theotokos and all other saints, to guard us from danger and grief”.

On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the hegumen and church board hosted His Beatitude and Entourage to lunch at the hegumeneion.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/yK-pz2JFZXM

On the night of Wednesday, the 27^th of October/9^th of November 3026, His Excellency the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the Church of the Resurrection.

Mr Medvedev was welcomed in the Court of the Church by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Hagiotaphite Fathers, e.g. Metropolitan Isychios, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Mathew and others.

The Russian Prime Minister venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis, the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha, accompanied by His Beatitude. Special emphasis was placed on the restoration works on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, still underway.

Later, at the Office of the Sacristan of the Church of the Resurrection, His Beatitude conferred on Mr Medvedev the title of Supreme Taxiarch of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in recognition of his Orthodox faith, help and support of the Sites of Veneration and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

On his part, Mr Medvedev thanked Patriarch Theophilos, and offered Him a fine enamelled reliquary, whilst His Beatitude reciprocated with an icon of the Holy Sepulchre. An icon was also offered by Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Asgcv89VPas

On Sunday, the 24^th of October/6^th of November 2016, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Markos, led the Divine Liturgy at the magnificent St Demetrius Church in Thessaloniki, having as concelebrants H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, and other Prelates.

The Divine Liturgy was held on the conclusion of the Conference on the city’s Byzantine ecclesiastical heritage. During lunch, His Beatitude spoke in Greek, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2016/11/06/40580

During the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos delivered a sermon, referring specifically to the Apostle Paul. Paul, His Beatitude said, had never known Christ during His presence on earth, but was taught the mysteries of God. “Such mysteries enlightened his mind, expanded his horizon and, mainly, fashioned his heart in perfect love and dedication to Christ, so that he denied everything, even his own life, in order to devote himself to evangelism, demonstrating zeal that exceeded that of the other Apostles”.

Though he previously adhered fervently to Jewish laws and principles, he turned this zeal to the basis “on which Christ built the new relationship, guiding him to the right path”. His earnestness, the Patriarch said, we must all emulate in our daily lives, proclaiming in deed the testament of Christ. We must, His Beatitude added, willingly carry our own cross, obeying the Lord’s advice to stand firm in the face of adversities.

After the divine Liturgy, the Most Reverend Anthimos, Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, hosted lunch in honour of H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and all representatives of sister Churches at the Liknon restaurant in the suburbs.

In the spirit of hospitality, Metropolitan Ioannis of Langadas, Liti and Rentinin, welcomed His Beatitude and Entourage at his Holy Bishopric.

On the evening of Sunday, Patriarch Theophilos sat at a dinner hosted in His honour by the Most Reverend Barnabas, Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, and Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama, who offered H.B. the amount of 5.000 euro for the restoration and conservation of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

On the morning of Monday, the 25^th of October/7^th of November 2016, His Beatitude visited the Monastery of Vlatades and the Centre of Paternal Studies that stands within its area.

There, He was warmly welcomed by the Hegoumen and Director of the Centre of Paternal Studies, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Amori.

Then Patriarch Theopilos was courteously welcomed to the Holy Bishopric of Serres and the Cathedral of Sts Taxiarchs by Metropolitan Theologos of Serres and the pious congregation of his Bishopric.

On His return to Thessaloniki, He was hosted to lunch at the “Macedonia Palace” where He was staying, before boarding Aegean Airlines to arrive in Tel Aviv and from there return to Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/hSn8-afC8Ck

On Saturday, the 23^rd of October/5^th of November 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of St James the Brother of God, first Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Cathedral dedicated to his name, connecting the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood with the Church of the Resurrection and used, over the last centuries, for the veneration needs of the Arabic-speaking Rum Orthodox Community of Jerusalem.

St James is called Equal to the Apostles for, as son to Joseph the Betrothed, he is considered the Lord’s brother by law. This was established by the Lord so that he would become, after His Resurrection and Ascension, the first Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem. During his diaconate, St James had played a significant role in the affairs of the Church of Jerusalem, leading the First Apostolic Synod of Jerusalem in 49 AD, and writing his Catholic Epistle in the New Testament “on the twelve tribes of Israel in diaspora”. He suffered a martyr’s death for Christ, when pushed down by the Jews from the arch of the Temple of Solomon.

His Beatitude Theophilos led Vespers, Matins and the divine Liturgy for the feast, having as concelebrants Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebaste and Michael of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, i.e. the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios, the vicar of the church, f. Charalambos-Farah Bantour, Archdeacon Markos and deacon Agapios. The congregation consisted of Arabic-speaking Greek Orthodox faithful, and pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Ukraine.

To the pious, His Beatitude spoke in Greek, quoting words from the Catholic Epistle of St James and the significance of patience in Christ: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1, 12). Similarly, Patriarch Theophilos quoted the Apostle Paul from the Epistle to the Romans (5 2-5): And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

“The value of patience” the Patriarch added, “has been demonstrated by the Lord Himself, who said: “By your patience, possess your souls” (Luke 21, 19). In other words, patience is compared to fire through which gold is tried and cleaned, just like men are welcomed by God once they have been through the furnace of humility, namely of patience through temptation”.

The commemoration of St James’ death for Christ, Patriarch Theophilos added, invites us, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1, 9-10).

After the divine Liturgy, His Beatitude and Entourage walked to the roof of Sts Constantine and Helen Church, passed through the Gate of the Central Monastery, and received “blessed loaves of bread” from Archimandrite Paisios and Elder Nun Seraphima.

At the Hall of the Throne, after a supplication and the Patriarchal Polychronism, Patriarch Theophilos wished on everyone the mediation of St James, first elected Bishop of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Vl5c7LOPB80

On Thursday, the 21^st of October/3^rd of November 2016, the Central Meeting of the Democratic Group of Engineers (DIPAM) was held at the conference hall of the Technical Chamber of Greece in the presence of all representatives, headed by NTUA Professor, Ms Antonia Moropolou, coordinator of the restoration and conservation project now underway on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

At the meeting, Ms Moropoulou referred to the meeting of the National Chamber in Athens and the two meetings held in Cyprus, in collaboration with the Technical Chambers of Greece and Cyprus, on the protection of cultural heritage; also, on the meeting held on 31 October 2016, on the protection of world cultural heritage. Professor Moropoulou spoke in favour of DIPAM’s position on the inclusion of religion within those factors and organizations assigned to preserve religious and non-religious cultural heritage and to protect religious monuments.

To demonstrate DIPAM’s position, Ms Moropoulou presented the current project of restoration and conservation of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Rock and the Aedicula built in 1810 by Kalfas Comnenus of Mytilene and all Rum Orthodox – in accordance with a study conducted by the NTUA Interdisciplinary Team and in agreement with the three Great Communities of Greek Orthodox, Franciscans and Armenians. The agreement does not only make the Aedicula a site of veneration and pilgrimage for Christians, but also a meeting point for adherents to other religions who will witness the spirit of peaceful religious coexistence and symbiosis.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is in favour of the aforementioned position of DIPAM, being the first receiver of the fruits of restoration works on the Holy Aedicula.

From the Secretariat-General

Between Sunday, the 17^th/30^th of October to Wednesday, the 20^th of October/2^nd of November 2016, the Heads of the Religious Communities in the state of Israel – Christian Churches, the Rabbinate of Israel, the Druze Religious Autonomy, Ahmadiyya Muslims and Baha’i – visited the Nazi concentration camps in Auschwitz and Birkenau, Poland, in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, represented by Mr Yakub Solame and Mr Cesar Margiye.

The visit was organized in order to condemn the inhuman crimes of Nazi Germany during the years of World War II, 1940-1944, and as a token of support to millions of victims, mostly Jews, but also Polish, Russian, Slavs, Roma and others.

The heads of the religious communities and their attendants, toured by the Israeli Ministry’s guide, Ms Naame, and by the Auschwitz and Birkenau Museum guide, witnessed with their own eyes the macabre camps were innocent men, women and children were concentrated before being condemned either to forced labour, torture or death in the gas chambers and the crematoria. Horrible ways of dying demonstrated inhuman mechanisms of death, made by godless men, stripped of love and respect to their fellow beings.

On the end of a heartrending tour, participants laid a wreath in honour and commemoration of the victims, along with a dedicatory plaque that reads:

“Eternal be the memory of the victims of one and a half million of men, women, and children, mostly Jews and others, victims of the Nazi atrocities during World War II”.

The tour was followed by a meeting between participants in this initiative and political dignitaries of Poland, as well as religious dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church of Poland.

At the meeting, His Beatitude Theophilos, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, addressed attendants in English, see link:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/02/27432

A declaration was then issued on behalf of the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel, condemning the crimes of Nazi atrocity and any violence persisting today in the Holy Land and across the earth, for the sake of a peaceful religious coexistence. The declaration can be read here:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2016/11/05/27436

On the conclusion of the visit, His Beatitude flew via Polish Airlines to Ben Gurion airport on the morning of Thursday.

From the Secretariat-General

November 2, 2016

We, the leaders of the major religions in Israel and members of the Council of Religious Community Leaders, believe in the Creator, who rules the world with benevolence and mercy, and requires of us to live with all persons in peace and mutual respect.

Our religious heritages teach that peace and the pursuit of justice are the will of God, and we as religious leaders bear particular responsibility to be attentive to the cries of the poor and the weak among us and to act to advance a more just society.

As the leaders of the official religious communities in Israel, we have decided to embark together on an historic visit to Poland, and to the site of Auschwitz–Birkenau. This visit is meant to honor the memory of millions of Jews and other victims of the Holocaust, and to express the determination of the leaders of the religious communities in Israel to do everything in their power to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.

We call on all world leaders to act, in their countries and through the United Nations, to act with unwavering resoluteness against anti-Semitism, hatred of the other, which once again plague contemporary society,

We declare our commitment to cooperate and to do everything in our power to carry out this important call in the Holy Land as well, to strengthen the harmony and understanding that exist in Israel among the various religious communities.

In order to establish peace and mutual respect among members of religions throughout the world and in our country, we must educate our communities and children accordingly, and prevent affront to the feelings and beliefs of others.

Here, in Auschwitz–Birkenau, the site of the most horrific crimes against humanity in history and the symbol of ultimate evil, where the murder of millions Jews and others – men, women and children – was perpetrated by Nazi Germany, we declare our commitment to the sanctity of human life. We repudiate racism, fanaticism and extremism, particularly when these are committed, allegedly in the name of religion and in so doing desecrate religion.

The Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel calls for an end to war and a prayer for peace in keeping with the vision of the prophets: “ They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore”, Isaiah 2:4.

The Council of Religious Leaders in Israel includes the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Muslims religious establishment, the Christian churches in the Holy Land, the Druze Religious Authority, the Ahmadiyya Muslim, Bahai and Samaritan communities.