On the morning of Thursday, the 25^th of November/8^th of December 2016, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Alexis Tsipras, whilst on a visit to Israel, demonstrated in practical terms his interest in the ongoing restoration works on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, carried out by the Interdisciplinary Team of the National Technical University of Athens. The Prime Minister arrived at David’s Gate, where he was welcomed by the Secretary of the Holy Synod, His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda, and Archimandrite Mathew, with other Hagiotaphite Fathers.

From David’s Gate, the Prime Minster walked the Via Dolorosa to arrive at the Patriarchate’s Gate, where he was warmly welcomed by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem. From there, amidst bells tolling, they proceeded to the Church of the Resurrection.

Accompanied by the Patriarch, Mr Tsipras was informed by Professor A. Moropoulou, project coordinator, on the works carried out on the walls of the Holy Aedicula, before visiting the old rotunda and the gallery of the Catholics to the south and west of the katholikon – where structural elements of the Aedicula are kept for conservation before being reincorporated into the wall.

Upon completing this tour, the Prime Minister visited the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, where he expressed satisfaction over the progress of the project, expected to be completed before the Catholic Easter in 2017, saying that “this is a meeting place for Christianity, Orthodoxy, Hellenism and Culture”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Jfl8kObPVO4

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 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 the evening of Wednesday, the 13^th/26^th of October 2016, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Acting Dragoman, Archimandrite Mathew, the Master of Ceremonies, Archimandrite Bartholomew and other Hagiotaphites walked to the All-holy Church of the Resurrection.

There, they met with the Custos in the Holy Land, fr Francisco, and Archbishop Sevan of the Armenian Patriarchate, and then entered the inside of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, where they observed the slab covering the Sepulchre, now removed by technicians of the NTUA, led by Ms Moropoulou. The slab has been removed in order to clean and then reveal the basis and the entire rock of the Sepulchre. Details will soon be communicated via the relevant video.

After venerating the monument and being updated on the ongoing technical works, they then praised the Resurrected Lord who has blessed the execution of the conservation and restoration project of His Life-Giving Tomb.

From the Secretariat-General

At noon on Wednesday, the 13^th/26^th of October 2016, Ms Antonia Moropoulou, Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, presented the successful ongoing project of conservation and restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre along its various phases, aspects and perspectives, in the presence of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, at the Yad Izhak Ben Ζvi Institute in West Jerusalem. Ms Moropoulou was invited to speak on the first day of deliberations of the Tenth Annual New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Environs Conference. Her presentation was titled ‘Sustainable Rehabilitation of the Holy Sepulcher. An Interdisciplinary Scientific Study and Monitoring, a Scientific Integrated Governance of the Project᾽. The relevant video will be uploaded soon.

From the Secretariat-General

On the occasion of the beginning of the new school year for 2016-2017, blessing of the water rites were performed between the 3^rd/16^th of October to the 9^th/22^nd of October 2016 at the Patriarchate’s Arabic Schools, namely: St Demetrios in Jerusalem, The Shepherds in Beit Sahour, St George in Ramallah and Taybeh in the town of Taybeh, adjacent to Ramallah.

In the context of the ceremony, the school Principals and teachers, as well as the retired Chairman of Arabic Schools, Archimandrite Ieronymos, collaborated with the new Chairman, Archimandrite Mathew, the member of the School Board, f. Issa Mousleh, and Secretary Fandi Abdelnour, who conveyed to both teachers and students the blessings of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

On Friday, the 8^th/21^st of October 2016, representatives of EYDAP, the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company, namely Antonios Angelopoulos (Geophysicist), Elias Karambelas (Mechanical Engineer) and Demetrios Tambakeras (Robotic Systems Manager) visited Patriarche Theophilos of Jerusalem. The visit was realized on the initiative of Professor A. Moropoulou, coordinator of restoration works on the Holy Sepulchre. Present at the meeting was Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, Elder Sacristan.

EYDAP’s representatives were brought to date on the restoration works and the project’s religious and cultural significance and received His Beatitude’s blessings so as to work, trace problems and conduct a study on the sewerage situation under the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

They went on to visit the site, accompanied by the Elder Sacristan.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ALKJRtI7KWI

On Monday, the 4^th/17^th of October 2016, the Heads of the three major Christian Communities, namely Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, f. Francesco, Custos in the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem, H.B. Nourhan Manougian, and their entourages, met with the President of the Palestinian State, His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas Abu-Mazen. During the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos addressed the President on behalf of the Patriarchate and the other two Communities. In Arabic, the address may be reached here: http://www.jo-newsgate.net/ar/2016/10/17/24794  

In his reply speech, the President expressed his joy over the meeting and for the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims within the Palestinian State. He also posited that Christians are not considered a majority in this State, but its integral part, that they in fact preceded Muslims in the Holy Land, and that Christian Churches are considered by Muslims as holy sites, just like their mosques. Therefore, Mr Abbas added, the Palestinian Authority offers 150.000 euro as contribution to the restoration project on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Heads of the three Communities thanked the President for his donation and wished him every success in his efforts to complete the recognition process of the State of Palestine.

From the Secretariat-General

On the morning of the 23^rd of September/6^th of October 2016, on the conclusion of the divine Liturgy at the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, read the prayer on the disturbance of the Holy Altar at the adjacent chapel of St Thekla the Great Martyr and Equal to the Apostles. The Altar had been moved because of restoration works by the subvention of Archimandrite Alexios. Vespers and the divine Liturgy commemorating St Thekla are scheduled to take place on the 23^rd of September.

On the occasion of this event, His Beatitude addressed attendants in Greek, referring to the completion of restoration works on the church within the most ancient Monastery that makes part of the Patriarchal Monastery of Sts Constantine and Helen, founders of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ our Saviour.

“The Holy Shrines”, added the Patriarch, “as well as the Monasteries and Churches adorning the Holy Lands, especially the Holy City of Jerusalem, have been preserved as sites of veneration, sanctification and blessing, owing to the sacrificial care of Hagiotaphite Fathers”.

The restoration and beautification of St Thekla church, Patriarch Theophilos said, is essentially a continuation of the earlier restoration of Sts Constantine and Helen Church, on the initiative and subvention of Archimandrite Alexios, Typikaris and Cantor at the aforementioned church, whom His Beatitude warmly thanked.
From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/bPArkLQzwEE

On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 17^th/31^st of August 2016, an event entitled “Restoration, Conservation of Religious Monuments and Sites of Veneration” was hosted by Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra at the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in Nicosia, organized by Professor A. Moropoulou, project co-ordinator for the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

The aim of the event was to promote the significance of restoring religious monuments, not only for the monuments as such, but also for the enhancement of environmental management and protection of cultural heritage in the region of the SE Mediterranean and beyond.

In attendance at the event were approximately one hundred guests. Addresses were delivered by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem; H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus – the address read by Assistant Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, Director of the Office of the Church of Cyprus in Brussels, in the presence of Assistant Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria; the Minister of Communications and Works, Mr M. Demetriades; the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr C. Kadis, and others.

In His address, Patriarch Theophilos said that “Religious Architecture expresses in the best way the profound relation between Religion, as the heart of human existence and humanity’s expectations, but also of the daily life of contemporary people”. “No one can isolate religion from life”, said the Patriarch, “neither can they ignore that its role in contemporary societies is to promote conscience so that it can respond to ongoing requirements for the achievement of peace, in the words of the Apostle Paul: “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. [Romans 12, 17-18].

“The initiative of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem”, said Patriarch Theophilos, “with the agreed opinion of the other two Christian Communities of the Holy Sepulchre – the Franciscans and the Armenians – for the implementation of the study conducted by the National Technical University of Athens on the conservation and restoration of the Holy Aedicula, underlines the role of the Church in the protection and promotion of the religious heritage of the peoples of the SE Mediterranean, not least the Christian heritage. It also underlines the fundamental contribution of Greek know-how and innovation in this direction”.

“Just like you establish Unions and Chambers of Engineers, so are Churches the establishments of Engineers of the spirit”, remarked Patriarch Theophilos.

Professor A. Moropoulou took the podium to talk of “The promotion and protection of religious monuments and sites of veneration as lever of development in the SE Mediterranean”.

During his stay in Cyprus, Patriarch Theophilos visited the Holy Stavropegic Monastery of Machairas, where he was welcomed by the hegumen, Bishop Epiphanios of Ledra. In his address, Bishop Epiphanios referred to the sacred and miraculous icon of the All-holy Theotokos, one of the most ancient icons of Orthodoxy and one of the seventy painted by the Evangelist Luke. “Every day it emits miracles and healings for all those coming to it in faith”, the Bishop said. “And this Monastery, standing for more than eight centuries as part of the History of the Island of Cyprus, remains a spiritual fulcrum on the island of the saints”.

At noon of the same day, Patriarch Theophilos paid a formal visit to Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, followed by lunch. During lunch, Archbishop Chrysostomos made a donation of 10.000 euros for the restoration works underway on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/I6NBSQhe7rs