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INAUGURATION OF NEW PREMISES FOR THE GREEK CONSULATE IN OLD JERUSALEM

On Tuesday, the 4th/17th of June 2014, the new building of the Greek Consulate General of East Jerusalem was inaugurated. The Consulate stands at the end of the Latin Patriarchate street, in the old city of Jerusalem. The building, which is owned by the Patriarchate, was appropriately restored and rented to the Consulate General for a symbolic price.
The inauguration-blessing rite was performed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem and attended by the Consulate personnel, Hagiotaphite Fathers and members of the Greek parish.

 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Beatitude addressed Consul-General, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, his esteemed wife, and all attendants, pointing out how the granting, by the Patriarchate, of new premises for the Consulate General of Greece in East Jerusalem, was the great wish of the ever memorable Patriarch Benedict, who “counted upon the Greek State as the natural, moral and legal protector of the ab antiquo acquired and inalienable rights and privileges of the pious race and nation of the Rum Orthodox in the Holy Land”.

 The Consul-General thanked His Beatitude for His support during the preparatory process and arrangement of every detail towards housing the East Jerusalem Department of the Consulate General, which is expected to strengthen the relations between the Patriarchate and Greece as heir to the Byzantine Empire for the protection of our nation.

From the Secretariat-General




THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM PARTICIPATES IN THE OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION IN TIRANA

On Sunday the 19th of May/1st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection of the Archbishopric of Albania was inaugurated in Tirana.
The magnificent, fine church is one of the many works of public benefit offered by the Holy Bishopric of Albania. The said Archbishopric was spiritually inert under the atheist Communist regime, yet it is now reborn owing to the faith, wisdom and endeavours of His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Albania.

In attendance at the ceremony were the Leaders or representatives of most Orthodox Churches.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. H.B. was accompanied by the Elder Secretary General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and Archdeacon Evlogios.

His Beatitude and retinue were received at Tirana Airport by His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Demetrios of Argyrokastro and assistant Bishop Nathaniel of Amantia, on Friday the 18th/30th of May.

On the afternoon of the same day, H.B. the Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Monastery of St Vlasios in the Bishopric of Dyrrhachium, where the Archbishopric of Albania maintains a boarding school, an orphanage, a convent and a Theological School. There, His Beatitude was warmly received by nuns and residents of the aforementioned institutions.

The following day, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and His retinue, accompanied by Mr Orpheus Bitsis, representative of the Archbishopric of Albania, visited the martyrdom site of St Cosmas of Aetolia within the Bishopric of Berat.

On this very site, a Church dated to 1814 was discovered and unearthed at the initiative of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. The Church, dedicated to St Cosmas of Aetolia, has been renovated to serve today as the parish church of a small Orthodox settlement. Its vicar, f. Raphael, welcomed the Patriarchal retinue.

The tomb of St Cosmas, its originality verified from the saint’s wall-painting over it, was discovered in an adjacent chapel where His Beatitude and Retinue proceeded to venerate.

On the morning of Sunday the 19th of May/1st of June 2014, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Church of the Resurrection was inaugurated in the framework of an Orthodox ceremony which included the procession of the holy relics thrice around the Church, deposition of the relics on the Holy Altar, the smearing of the Altar with Holy Myrrh, the setting of the icons of the Evangelists, and the sealing of the church walls with myrrh.

After the consecration of the holy Altar, the Divine Liturgy was held, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Co-officiating were His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem; H.B. Patriarch Irinej of Serbia; H.B. Patriarch Daniel of Romania; H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus; H.B. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece; H.B. Archbishop Savva of Poland; and representatives of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and of course H.B. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. In attendance was a great crowd of faithful, as well as the President of the Albanian Government, alongside the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, and the Mayor of Tirana.

The service was indeed a pan-Orthodox testament to the rebirth and resurrection of the Church of Albania, and also to the unity between Orthodox Churches.

Addresses between the Archbishop of Albania and the Ecumenical Patriarch were exchanged during Communion.

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Heads of Churches and their attendants proceeded to the Synodicon, where the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Albania exchanged gifts.

An official lunch followed at the hotel where the Leaders are staying, in the presence of the Albanian President and the Mayor of Tirana. During lunch, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem addressed the Archbishop of Albania in Greek and offered him an icon of Theotokos and a stone from Golgotha, to be placed for veneration at the newly inaugurated Church of the Resurrection.

Addresses to the Archbishop of Albania were also delivered by the rest of the Leaders of Orthodox Churches or their representatives.

After lunch, the Leaders attended a music concert, after which His Beatitude Theophilos left for the Airport of Tirana. He arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the 20th of May/2nd of June via Constantinople.

From the Secretariat-General 

 




ORTHODOX CHURCHES INVITED BY THE KING OF JORDAN

On Tuesday the 14th/27th of May 2014, His Majesty King Abdullah ibn Hussein of Jordan received at the palace delegates of Orthodox Churches, headed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

The meeting took place at the invitation of the king (see photo) addressed to the Heads of Orthodox Churches through Patriarch Theophilos. Positively responding to the invitation were the Patriarchates of Russia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

The distinguished delegates arrived in Jordan on the day before the Meeting.

On the evening of Monday the 13th/26th of May 2014 they were hosted to dinner by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict, in the presence of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and the Hegoumen at Fhes, Archimandrite Ieronymus.

His Majesty the King of Jordan received the delegates on Tuesday the 14th/27th of May, for lunch at the palace.

At the beginning of lunch, His Majesty the King welcomed the Patriarch and Church delegates as “brothers”, congratulating them on their participation in that historical meeting and in the scheduled assembly at the Lord’s baptismal site. The assembly, held in favour of a peaceful coexistence of religions, contributes to the efforts made by Jordan in the context of its custodianship of both Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, towards supporting Christian and Muslims in Jerusalem and the occupied areas against the challenges of extreme Israeli elements.

The Jordanian Government, according to the King, continues to have its say over the frozen but not ceased negotiations between the Israeli and the Palestinians, and can already see their results, while several other issues are expected to be resolved too, such as the Jerusalem question. The King went on to say that they wanted for the churches to look at Jordan as an open door for positive response and the royal Hashemite family as their supporter.

On the evening of the aforementioned day, the representatives of Churches assembled on the site of the Lord’s baptismal, on the Easter Bank of the river Jordan, at the Monastery of St John the Baptist, erected by Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia.

There, the Patriarch of Jerusalem put on a mantle and a pallium before they all prayed for reconciliation, understanding, peace and justice. The Arab-speaking choir of the Bishopric in Amman chanted in Greek and Arabic.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos went on to recite a wish for peach. Likewise, all representatives of the Orthodox Churches recited a wish for peace in their own language.

The Patriarch then addressed all those present in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/05/27/7172

After His address, His Beatitude offered Prince Emir Ghazi and each delegate an icon of Theotokos, before hosting all to dinner at the “Four Seasons” hotel in Amman.

From the Secretariat-General




SPEECH AT THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES AT THE BAPTISM SITE BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN.

Jordan, 27 May 2014

Your Royal Highness Your Beatitudes, Your Eminences, Your Graces,

Beloved Monastics,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is our distinct honor and our great privilege to welcome you all to this Holy Site on this historic occasion. Never before have so many hierarchs of the Orthodox Church throughout the world gathered here at the site of the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ to pray and to take counsel together for the well-being of the Holy Land, our Church, and all our people.

We wish to express our profound gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II for making this gathering possible, and for the example of leadership that he exercises on the world stage on behalf of all the people of this region. His Majesty stands in succession to a long line of eminent leaders that includes His Majesty’s late father, King Hussein, as well as his great grandfather and great- great grandfather, and that stretches back to the 7th century, when the Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab and Patriarch Sophronios approved their momentous agreement that still forms the basis for much of our common life.

This tradition of leadership has ensured the support of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the spiritual integrity of the Holy Places, up to and including the Jordanian-Palestinian Agreement which was signed by His Majesty and President Mahmoud Abbas on 31 March 2013, and which continues to guarantee crucial historic relationships and responsibilities.

At a time of great complexity and challenge in our region and around the world, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a principal example of a society in which there is peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, freedom of worship, and interfaith harmony. We know that the human family, regardless of ethnicity, religion, language, or culture, shares a common human destiny, and it is incumbent upon us all, both in the civic and the religious realm, to foster peace, reconciliation, and dignity.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as the Mother of all the Churches and as the oldest religious institution in our region, carries out a unique spiritual mission. Christians are a part of the natural fabric of society in the Middle East, and the integrity of our region depends on a strong, vibrant, living Christian presence in this land. Our brother Patriarchs and Heads of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches around the world share our commitment to this mission, and we are grateful to you, dear brothers, for your presence here today, and for the sign of our unity that your presence signifies. We encourage you to continue in your support of the Christian community of the Holy Land and the Middle East.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem remains dedicated to serving all our people, as well as the countless pilgrims who visit the Holy Places throughout the year. The Holy Land is home to the three monotheistic faiths and their believers, but in fact it is the true home of every person of good will. For here humanity has encountered God in a special and particular way, and this land is the source of both light and refreshment for weary souls. With the assistance of the civil authorities, whose role is to ensure the proper privileges of our religious communities and with the collaboration of our fellow Christians around the world, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is able to be a true witness and a true minister to all and for all.

May God bless this gathering, and may we find in this place where our Lord Jesus Christ himself was immersed in the waters of baptism, the wisdom and strength to lead our congregations and to live faithfully and graciously, for the well-being of all the peoples of this region, and especially of our beloved Kingdom.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem




MEETING BETWEEN THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AND POPE FRANCIS AT THE HOLY SEPULCHER

On the evening of Sunday, the 12th/25th of May 2014, at 7:00 pm, His Holiness Pope Francis I met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Holy Sepulcher, in commemoration of the meeting held fifty years ago between their predecessors, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI.

The meeting was hosted by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem jointly with the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and the Brotherhood of the Franciscans Monks, according to the schedule drafted by both.

As per this schedule, Pope Francis, accompanied by the Custodian of the Holy Land, f. Pierrebatista Pizzaballa and the Armenian Patriarch Nourhan, proceeded to the Court of the Church of the Resurrection from the Muristan quarter, through the Gate of the Gethsemane Dependency, whereas His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, and Primates accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, walked from the Patriarchate along Christian Street through St Helen’s Gate.

From these two Gates, the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch proceeded to the beginning and the center of the Courtyard of the Church of the Resurrection, and exchanged embraces as a testament of love and the will to continue the theological dialogue initiated fifty years ago.

From there, the two Primates proceeded to the Gate of the Church of the Resurrection, where they were received by the three Abbots of the Church, namely Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, the Franciscan and the Armenian Abbots.

Subsequently, the Primates venerated the Stone of the Holy Apokathelosis. The Greek choir of the Church of the Resurrection, under the direction of the head cantor, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted, as the two Patriarchs walked to the Holy Sepulcher.

In front of the Holy Aedicula, the two Primates took their places whereas a crowd of 400 faithful had already been seated.

As the crowd observed in silence, His Beatitude Theophilos delivered an address in English, on behalf of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Franciscans and the Armenians, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/05/25/7064

The address was followed by hymns and the Evangelical pericopes of the Resurrection, and speeches delivered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis.

“Our father” was then recited in Italian by Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch, whereas guests recited the same prayer in their native tongues.

Of note is the fact that the hymns were sang and the Evangelical pericopes recited in the absence of sacerdotal vestments, because of the lack of full communion between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

At the end of this ceremony, the Primates and a small retinue venerated the Golgotha.

From there, the Primates and their guests were hosted to a reception at the Latin Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/TU4aj2BUdeY




H.B. PATRIARCH THEOPHILO’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF H.A.H. PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I AND H.H. POPE FRANCIS I IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER, 25 May 2014

 

An Address on the Occasion of the Visit of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I and His Holiness Pope Francis I to the Church of the Anastasis in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Meeting of the late Patriarch Athenagoras I and the late Pope Paul VI in Jerusalem in 1964

 

Your Holiness Pope Francis and Your All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew,

Christ is risen!

 

As we gather here in this sacred place before the Most Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ in commemoration of the historic meeting 50 years ago of the late Patriarch Athenagoras I and the late Pope Paul VI, we recall the words that we pray with great intention at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom:

 

For the peace of the whole world,

for the stability of the holy Churches of God,

and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

We to whom divine providence has entrusted the guardianship and diakonia of the Holy Places, and to whom the pastoral ministry to the Christian communities of the Holy Land has been committed, welcome Your Holiness Pope Francis and Your All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to this gathering in the bright and glorious light of the resurrection. Our gathering here is a confirmation and a celebration of the common path towards reconciliation and full communion that began 50 years ago in this very place.

 

In the course of the last half-century, we have enjoyed the fruits of deepening theological dialogue between our Churches. This dialogue has fostered encounters between our faithful, removed all sorts of obstacles between us, encouraged reconciliation, prompted the healing of unfortunate memories, and been an example to Christians of other communities to seek a more profound and enduring unity in Christ.

According to Saint Makarios of Egypt, “the Lord came on this earth to suffer on behalf of all and to buy them back with his blood and to put the heavenly leaven of goodness into faithful souls.” He also said that the Lord continues to perfect in faithful souls “all virtues until they are leaven into one in the good and they can become with the Lord One Spirit'” (Hom. 24:3).

Our commitment to the pilgrimage of unity is precisely this: to grow in the perfection of the virtues so that the heavenly leaven that makes us one Spirit with the Lord may rise in us, and be a sign of hope for a world in despair and confusion. For, as Saint Makarios wrote, “without this heavenly leaven which is the power of the divine Spirit it is impossible” for us to “be leavened with the goodness of the Lord and so reach life.”

We pray today not only for the union of our Churches and for the union of all, but also for the peace of the world, and particularly for the peace of this region, which is the cradle of peace. We remember our sisters and brothers and all innocent victims in blood-soaked Syria.

The Holy Places in this Holy Land are the eloquent martyria of our faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, “who is now crowned with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:9). The Holy Places are the common refuge of humanity, and they shine with the brightness of the true Light, a beacon of peace and spiritual refreshment for all.

On behalf of our brothers, the Custos of the Holy Land and the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem, and the other Heads of Churches and Christian communities gathered here, we call upon God our Father that the light of resurrection that shines from the Most Holy Tomb of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ may enlighten our minds and warm our hearts, so that the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of unity and the Spirit of the bond of love, may guide our steps towards the fullness of that unity for which Christ prayed.

Ο Christ the true Light, you enlighten and sanctify every person who comes into the world: may the light of your countenance shine upon us, that in your light we may see the unapproachable Light. And direct our steps to the keeping of your commandments; through the intercession of your Most Holy Mother and all the Saints.

 (From The First Hour)

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

 

 




ADDRESS OF H.B. PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS III TO MR. PLAMEN ORESHARSKI, PRIME MINISTER OF BULGARIA.

Jerusalem, 20 of May 2014

 

Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister Plamen Οresharski,

 

It is with great joy that we welcome you and the distinguished members of your delegation today, during the Paschal period, here in Jerusalem and to our Patriarchate. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is considered to be the Mother of all Churches, for Jerusalem has been the wellspring of our Christian faith and our common Orthodox traditions, i.e. the values that we share together with the Orthodox Church and the people of Bulgaria.

You are here on a state visit to Israel; however, for us your visit is considered a pilgrimage to the holy places, more specifically to the Church of the Anastasis, which encompasses the crucifixion and burial site, i.e. the tomb, of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with the order of the Brotherhood of the Holy Tomb, has been entrusted by Our Lord the guardianship and service of those holy places, which attract thousands of pilgrims every day of the year. Needless to say, the majority of these pilgrims come from Orthodox countries, including of course, your own beloved country of Bulgaria.

In saying this, we would like to emphasize the fact that our common Orthodox Christian faith and heritage serves as a point of unity between our Orthodox people and nations, and as a bridge of reconciliation. We are saying this because first of all, we here do not represent ourselves – we represent the Orthodox Church as a whole and Christendom. Secondly, the mission of the Patriarchate is and has remained throughout the ages, a purely religious and spiritual one, which promotes peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and understanding between the various religious communities.

Furthermore, the mission of the Patriarchate has been to protect the existing political and diplomatic Status Quo of Jerusalem, in which Jerusalem is equally sacred and holy to the three monotheistic religions, i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Mr. Prime Minister, your pilgrimage here is not only a blessing for you and your countrymen, it is a blessing for the Holy Land; for every pilgrim is regarded as a messenger of good will and a messenger of peace and reconciliation, which is so greatly needed in this region and for the broader area of the blood-soaked Middle East.

Allow us to take this opportunity to confer upon you the honor of the Cross of the Order of the Holy Tomb of Christ in appreciation of your commitment to the wellbeing of your country and for the peace of the world. Let this be a sign of communion between the Bulgarian people and the Church of Jerusalem. You are welcome and God bless you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem.




JOINT PATRIARCHAL LITURGY WITH ARCHBISHOP LEO OF FINLAND

In the early hours of Sunday, the 21st of April/4th of May 2014, the Sunday of the Myrophorae, a Joint Patriarchal and Multi-Primatial Liturgy was conducted at the All-holy Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Sepulcher, on the occasion of the official visit to the Patriarchate of His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Finland.

The progression began, amidst bells ringing, from the gates of the Central Monastery to the Church of the Resurrection.

Upon entering the katholikon, the officiating Primate, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, put on a mantle and rose to the Throne.

Following hymns of the Ninth Ode, His Beatitude stepped into the Holy Bema, where he embraced the Archbishop of Finland and the other Prelates, whereupon they all put on their liturgical garments.

From there, they proceeded to the Holy Sepulcher, where the Joint Patriarchal and Multi-Primatial Liturgy began, led by His Beatitude Theophilos. Co-officiating were His Eminence Leo, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland; the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; their Eminences, Archbishops Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constantina and Demetrios of Lydda; and Bishops visiting from the Church of Russia. Concelebrants were the Very Reverend Innocent, Bishop of Vladivostok; a crowd of hieromonks and priests, Archdeacon f. Evlogios and hierodeacon f. Agapios. The head-cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang with students at the Patriarchal School in Greek, Russian and Romanian, in the presence of the faithful, who also received Communion.

Before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos addressed Archbishop Leo in Greek.

The service was followed by a brief reception hosted by the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/baeeg4_xC_k




ADDRESS OF H.B. PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM TO H.E. LEO ARCHBISHOP OF KARELIA AND ALL FINLAND AT THE MEAL HOSTED AT THE DAVID CITADEL HOTEL.

May 4, 2014

 

Your Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland,

beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ,

 

The official visit of Your most beloved and profound Eminence and your honorable delegation to Our Church of Jerusalem and its holy shrines personally granted to Us great joy and deep exultation, as well as to Our Holy and Sacred Synod, to the venerable Brotherhood of the All-Holy Tomb, and to the clergy and people.

Your Eminence, during these days of Your official visit while being accompanied by Our Representation, You visited almost all of the All-Holy Shrines and received the grace residing within them of our incarnated, crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, and you blessed the Hagiotafites Fathers who are serving there, as well as the clergy and people. Just the other day, we completed our Christian communion and we sealed Your pilgrimage theoria (i.e. contemplation) with our concelebration at the All-Holy Tomb, and where we received the holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Thanking God for all the gifts He has given to Us, we now thank, according to Our communion at this common meal, offered by our Brotherhood of the All-Holy Tomb in honor of the entire Orthodox Church of Finland, in honor of Your Eminence and your honorable delegation, which under the wise pastoral guidance exercises considerable good pastoral, social, inter-Christian and interreligious work in the advanced country of Finland.

We raise our glass for the health, firmness and strength of Your Eminence, and that you may continue to execute this most honorable ecclesiastic diakonia for the progress and salvation of the flock entrusted to Your Eminence and for the prosperity and progress of the entire Finnish people. Amen.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem




LUNCH AND RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF HIS EMINENCE THE ARCHBISHOP OF FINLAND

At noon of the Sunday of the Myrophorae, namely the 21st/4th of May 2014, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, hosted His Eminence Leo, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, and His retinue, to lunch at the David Citadel Hotel.

The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and representatives of the Russian and Romanian Churches in Jerusalem, were among guests invited by His Beatitude.

During lunch, the Patriarch of Jerusalem addressed the Archbishop of Finland in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2014/05/04/6727 to which His Eminence Leo, Archbishop of Finland replied with words of thanks.

The speeches concluded the event at the David Citadel Hotel.

In the afternoon of the same day, at 18:00 pm, a reception was held at the Patriarchate in honour of Archbishop Leo.

Attending the reception were Hagiotaphite Fathers, representatives of other Christian Churches in the Holy Land, the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of our flock, Chairmen of Communal Committees, priests, members of the Jerusalem parish and other high ranking government officials as well as members of the congregation.

Everyone invited paid their respects to the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Archbishop of Finland, expressing their joy over this occasion for interaction.

From the Secretariat-General