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

In the evening of Palm Sunday, the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2014, the Services of the Bridegrooms began at the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, at the Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen and other Monasteries of the Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

Officiating at the Bridegroom Service in the Church of the Resurrection was His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, alongside the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from Greece; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Hieromonks and Hierodeacons.

This devout Service was attended by numerous Greek pilgrims, having their souls appeased through the theological troparia, feeling united with Jesus Christ, “the Bridegroom coming at midnight”, standing and knocking on the door of our soul, waiting for us to open and follow Him to Upper Jerusalem.

To the pious congregation His Beatitude spoke in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

In the evening of Palm Sunday, the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2014, the Services of the Bridegrooms began at the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, at the Monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen and other Monasteries of the Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

Officiating at the Bridegroom Service in the Church of the Resurrection was His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, alongside the Patriarchal Commissioner, the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from Greece; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Hieromonks and Hierodeacons.

This devout Service was attended by numerous Greek pilgrims, having their souls appeased through the theological troparia, feeling united with Jesus Christ, “the Bridegroom coming at midnight”, standing and knocking on the door of our soul, waiting for us to open and follow Him to Upper Jerusalem.

To the pious congregation His Beatitude spoke in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/WiQdUgesIA0

On Sunday the 31^st of March/13^th of April 2014, namely Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry of the Lord into Jerusalem was commemorated by the Patriarchate, as the day when the children of the Jews chanted “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who cometh” and welcomed Him with branches of palm trees.

1. In the afternoon

Vespers for the feast was held at 2 pm, first at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, where the 9^th Hour was read out, followed by progression to the All-Holy Church of the Resurrection, amidst bells ringing.

After venerating at the interior of the Holy Sepulcher and at the Angel’s Stone, His Beatitude gave blessings and rose to the throne, while Prelates and members of the Synod venerated at the Golgotha, and Hierodeacons burnt incense along the holy shrines.

The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted alongside Monk Joseph from Mount Athos. Vespers was led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, with Prelates co-praying from within the Holy Bema. At the conclusion of Vespers, the Patriarchal retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates.

II. Palm Sunday from Bethphage

At the conclusion of Vespers, most of the participating faithful ascended to Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives.

There, His Beatitude Theophilos blessed the branches at the Holy Monastery of Palm Sunday, founded by the late Archbishop Gregorios of Tiberias, and assigned Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias with leading the holy procession of the litany. The procession imitates the triumphal Entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, “where the sons of the Jews chanted Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who cometh”.

The procession began from Bethphage and passed through Gethsemane where the crowd held branches and chanted Palm Sunday troparia, before concluding in the direction of the Lions’ Gate or St Stephen’s Gate, at the Holy Monastery of St Anna, where it was dispersed.

1. In the morning

On the day of the feast, at 07:00 am, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded from the gates of the Central Monastery to the Church of the Resurrection through Christian Street.

Upon entrance into the Church and the Holy Bema through Golgotha, His Beatitude proceeded to venerate, as the Holy Sepulcher at that precise moment was held by the Franciscans, celebrating Easter concurrently with the Orthodox.

Once His Beatitude and the Prelates were dressed in prelatic attire, they proceeded to the area in front of the “Navel of the Earth” and the Divine Liturgy began.

The Divine Liturgy was led by His Beatitude Theophilos. Co-officiating was the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Most Reverend George, Metropolitan of Nizhny-Novgorod and Arzamas, visiting from the Patriarchate of Russia; the Most Reverend Nikolaos, Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; their Eminences Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Dorotheos of Avila, Aristarchos of Constanina, Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebaste and Demetrios of Lydda; the Very Reverend Bishop Theodosios of Prizren, visiting from the Patriarchate of Serbia; and His Eminence the Archbishop of Vitebsk and Orsansk, also visiting from the Church of Russia. Also present were Hagiotaphite Archimandrites, Archdeacon Evlogios, deacons Martyrios, Dionysios and Timotheos from the Metropolis of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki. The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, chanted with Monk Joseph of Mount Athos in the presence of a large crowd of Orthodox from Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine and Romania. Attending the service was the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis and his esteemed wife.

At the conclusion of this magnificent Divine Liturgy, a procession began from the Holy Bema, moving thrice around the Holy Aedicula along the Holy Shrines before returning to the Holy Aedicula, where the Evangelic pericope was read out and a supplication was made.

Once the procession was completed, the Patriarchal Retinue ascended to the Patriarchates.

There, His Beatitude addressed all those present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/HWhTmP_No-M

httpv://youtu.be/nRqS_TUpVyA

httpv://youtu.be/G_uqbCYE9Aw

httpv://youtu.be/FxjxD9_kasg

I. In Bethany

On Saturday, the 30^th of March/11^th of April 2014, namely the Saturday of Lazarus, the raising of the righteous Lazarus “of the four days”, friend of Jesus, was commemorated in Bethany, at the Convent dedicated to Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, and at his tomb.

His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Divine Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda; the Most Reverend Metropolitan Theodosios, visiting from the Patriarchate of Serbia; the Most Reverend Nikolaos, Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; Hagiotaphite Archimandrites and Presbyters, visiting from the Church of Greece; Archdeacon Evlogios and other hierodeacons, cantors visiting from Cyprus, and fathers Joseph and Joseph from Mount Athos. A great crowd of Orthodox faithful from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Cyprus and Romania participated in devoutness and piety.

To this pious flock, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek.

After Communion and the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude proceeded to the Abbess’ quarters, where nun Eupraxia treated both Him and guests from the Municipal Authority of the town of Bethany to refreshments.

Subsequently, a procession began from the Monastery to the tomb of Lazarus, led by His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda. There, the pericope on the Raising of Lazarus was read out, followed by a supplication, which sealed the feast in Bethany.

II. On the Site of the Ascension

The feast of the raising of Lazarus was also celebrated on the Mount of Olives and the Site of the Ascension, due to its adjacency to Bethany.

Vespers for the feast was held at the Pilgrimage Site of the Ascension, where lies the foot trace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the ruins of a Byzantine Church, now converted into a mosque. Before the ceremony of the Vespers, a wish was read out on a desecrated Holy Altar, exposed outdoors.

Vespers was led by the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias, and was followed by a procession to Little Galilee, where stands the church of Galili Viri. There, in the presence of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the First Eothinon Gospel was read out, a supplication was made, and the Patriarchal Polychronism chanted, before the procession proceeded to the Ascension site.

On the site, the Divine Liturgy was performed, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Isychios of Kapitolias. Co-officiating were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons, cantors from Greece, students at the Patriarchal School of Sion and the cantors of St James Cathedral, under Mr Rimon Kamar. Praying in devoutness were local Arab-speaking faithful from Jerusalem and elsewhere, praising God that His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, raised Lazarus from the dead.

A festive reception followed at the Monastery of the Ascension, offered by the Hegoumen, monk Achillios.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/EXeF1Ui1ni0

httpv://youtu.be/BL_1bOzelE8

A. In Nazareth

On Monday, the 25^th of March/7^th of April 2014, the feast of the Annunciation was celebrated in Nazareth, where the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to announce to the ever virgin Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and of her would be born the Son and Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human kind.

Nazareth, first cited in the New Testament, has always been one of the largest towns in Galilee. Today it numbers approximately 90.000 inhabitants, of whom 18.000 are Christian Orthodox.

At the center of the old town lies the pilgrimage site, the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, where the Annunciation took place.

After a three-hour ride, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Nazareth on the aforementioned day and first proceeded to the Metropolis. There, he was received by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, priests from Nazareth and adjacent towns, as well as the Council of the Rum Orthodox Community of Nazareth.

From the Metropolis, the Patriarchal Retinue, accompanied by Boy Scouts, proceeded to the holy shrine, where they were warmly received by a great crowd.

From there, His Beatitude walked to the area intended for the Divine Liturgy, where he gave blessings and began the Katabasia hymns.

He went on to officiate at the Liturgy. Co-officiating were the Most Reverend Kyriakos, Metropolitan of Nazareth; the Most Reverend Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; and the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; hieromonks, Hagiotaphite hegoumens at Northern Israel monasteries; Archimandrite Timotheos of the Monastery of the Holy Apostles in Tiberias; monk Irinaios, the hegoumen at the Monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Capernaum; Archimandrite Hilarion of Mount Tabor Monastery; Archimandrite Chrysostomos of the Monastery of St George the Great Martyr in Cana, Galilee; priests from Nazareth and adjacent towns; Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Attending the service was the President of the Community Council, Mme Afaf Touma with Council members, the Director of the Israeli Religious Affairs Department, Mr Cesar Margie; and the representative of the Hellenic Embassy to Tel Aviv, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and his honourable wife. The Nazareth choir chanted in Arabic while the Accra choir, under Archimandrite Philotheos, chanted in Greek and Arabic alike. A great crowd of Orthodox faithful, including Greek-speaking, Russian-speaking, Arabic-speaking and Romanian-speaking, participated in piety.

To this pious flock, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2014/04/07/12871

And in Arabic, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/04/07/4593

After Communion and the Apolysis (conclusion), a procession was performed around the holy shrine, led by the Boy Scouts. Fish lunch was then offered to the Patriarchal Retinue and members of the flock by the Metropolitan of Nazareth and the Community Council.

B. In Jerusalem

On the occasion of the feast of the Annunciation, a Divine Liturgy was held at the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane, led by His Eminence Dorotheos, Archbishop of Avila, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons.

The Prelatic retinue was hosted to a reception at the Hegoumen’s Quarters by Archimandrite Nektarios.

C. In Rafidia

A Divine Liturgy commemorating the Annunciation of Theotokos was also held at the Church of the Annunciation in the Rum Orthodox Community of Rafidia, near Jacob’s Well in Neapolis (Nablus). The Liturgy was led by His Eminence Theophanes, Archbishop of Gerassa, and attended by a great crowd from the town’s Orthodox flock.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/PYY9u6jEpM4

httpv://youtu.be/3AYsEqZs-uM

httpv://youtu.be/LFBbb2GgXRU

On Sunday, the 17^th/30^th of March 2014, the Sunday of St John Climacus, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, officiated at the Divine Liturgy in the Rum Orthodox, Arab-speaking Community of Tulkarm.

The town lies at half an hour’s drive from Jacob’s Well in Samaria.

Tulkarm numbers only two families, living amongst Muslim residents. Its church, dedicated to the name of St George, was built by the Greek Army during its progression through Palestine in 1943, during World War II.

The Divine Liturgy was led by His Beatitude. Co-officiating were the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; and the master of ceremonies, Archimandrite Porphyrios; Archdeacon Evlogios and Hierodeacon Markos. The members of the two families, approximately twelve, attended the service.

To this pious and small flock, for which the Lord’s words – Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12, 32) –  would indeed apply, His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Arabic, as follows:  https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/03/30/4321

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude was hosted to meatless lunch offered by the two families.

On the same day, the fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, namely the 17^th/30^th of March 2014, the Divine Liturgy was also held at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Cross, where Lot had planted the tree from which the Lord’s Cross was to be made, and where the Patriarchate’s Theological School used to run (1845-1909).

The feast of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the Great Lent at the Monastery of the Holy Cross, according to the aforementioned tradition.

The Divine Liturgy was officiated by the hegoumen of the Monastery, Archimandrite Claudius in the presence of nuns and Christians from the Old and New City of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/E9NXF-3JupE

On the evening of Friday the 15^th/28^th 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

During the proceedings of the afternoon of Thursday, the 21^st of February/6^th 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 22^nd of February/7^th 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 22^nd of February/7^th of March 2014.

From the Secretariat-General

Constantinople, March 7^TH, 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