On the morning of Saturday the 18^th/31^st of August, His Beatitude Theophilos, Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop of Constantina, Mr Aristarchos, and Archdeacon f. Athanasios, arrived at Larnaca Airport on a Cyprus Airways flight.

There, His Beatitude was welcomed by the Most Reverend Christophoros, Metropolitan of Karpassia, on behalf of the Archbishop of Cyprus.

From the airport, His Beatitude left for Nicosia, where he was informed about renovation works on the Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Exarchate is located in the vicinity of the Archbishopric of Cyprus, and works are scheduled to conclude in a few days.

On the following day, Sunday the 19^th of August/1^st of September 2013, a Joint Patriarchal Service was held, led by His Beatitude Theophilos and His Beatitude Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus. Co-officiating were His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, Hieromonks, Presbyters and deacons. Participating in devout prayer were a hundred young men and women – from the Church of Cyprus, the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. During the last week of August, the youth participated in a camp at St Nikolas “of the roof” in Kakopetria. The camp was offered by the Archbishopric of Cyprus according to a decision taken at a meeting on the island among the heads of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and the Archbishopric of Cyprus on the establishment of a youth group called “Initiative”.

During the Joint Service, the choir of members of youth organizations from the aforementioned Churches sang in Greek and Arabic.

This solemn divine Service was completed with the participation of the Lord’s officiants and of the youth in the mystery of the divine Eucharist for consecration and salvation.

During the Liturgy, wishes were read out to the Lord for the protection of the natural environment at the beginning of the Indiction, which marks the Ecclesiastical New Year.

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, their Beatitudes addressed paternal and advisory words to the church youth group, urging them to be united in Christ, independent of their nationality, within the Body of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday the 16^th/29^th of August 2013, the Spiritual Center of the Bethlehem Pilgrimage was officially inaugurated.  

The Center is set up at a residence near the Basilica of the Nativity, and the Central Monastery of the Greek Orthodox located within. The residence was purchased and renovated by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan.

The Center is intended to include various teaching and educational departments for the youth of the Arab-speaking congregation in Bethlehem (Rum Orthodox), i.e. courses on the History of the Holy Land, the Church of Jerusalem, the Holy Sites, Byzantine Music, computer literacy, foreign languages etc.

By means of these courses and other events to be hosted at the Center, young people will have the opportunity to meet and communicate with one another, overcoming isolation and alienation caused by the unstable political situation and financial adversities facing both Bethlehem and its environs.

The administration of the Center shall be undertaken by His Eminence Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan, alongside selected associates from the Bethlehem congregation, i.e. theologian Mr Jandala Masri, and Mr Georgios Kharan with the blessing, approval and guidance of His Beatitude Theophilos and of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

The inauguration ceremony was preceded by a meeting of the heads of the three Communities – Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian – at the Bethlehem office of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mr Mahmoud Abbas – Abu Mazen, with his representatives, focused on working together on the manner in which officials and pilgrims will be received at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Subsequently, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, Theophylaktos, hosted lunch for His Beatitude and retinue, as well as for high-ranked officials of the Palestinian Authority, Sheiks of the region, Mr George Bassus and to approximately two hundred members of our congregation in Bethlehem and other communities.

Lunch was followed by the Center’s opening ceremony and the blessing of the water by His Beatitude.

On this very significant event for the life of our Greek Orthodox Community and all towns in Bethlehem, His Beatitude made a speech in Arabic which may be read here https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2013/08/28/2662 wishing success of the Center’s objectives for the benefit of those partaking in its activities.

 At the conclusion of His speech, His Beatitude was given a letter by the Judicial Assembly of the Palestinian Authority addressed to President Abu Mazen, wherein His Beatitude is praised for His cooperation towards peace, inter-religious coexistence and contribution to the Palestinian people. The letter, in Arabic, may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2013/08/28/2665

Upon leaving the Center, His Beatitude consecrated the Chapel of the Holy Innocents near the Basilica, recently renovated by Theophylaktos, Archbishop of Jordan.

From the Secretariat-General

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is pleased to undertake conservation and renovation works at the Holy Monastery of John the Baptist, semi-ruined during the 1967 war, which lies in the vicinity of the Lord’s Baptismal site in the Jordan river.

Subsidies for the project have been offered with the blessings of His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, and within the extent of his powers, by the Hegoumen of Mount Sarantarion, Archimandrite Gerasimos.

Architectural supervision of the project has been assumed by the architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Dr Theodosios Mitropoulos, whose study on the Monastery may be read here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2013/08/16/9167

Those wishing to contribute to the rebuilding of the Holy Monastery of St John are invited to contact the Secretariat or the Administration of the Patriarchate’s website as follows:

Elder Secretary-General Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina  

E-mail: secretariat@jerusalem-patriarchate.info

Telephone: +972-26285636

Fax : +972-26282048

Dr Christos Th. Nikolaou, General Manager of the Patriarchate’s Web Division

E-mail: christos.nikolaou@jerusalem-patriarchate.info

From the Secretariat-General

The Holy Monastery of St John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan River/Qasr-el-Yahud (PART I)

By Dr Theodosios Mitropoulos, architect

Topography of the area of the Monastery and of the baptismal site (In Arab: El – Maghtas), (images 1,2)

Historical Elements

The history of this Holy Monastery begins in very ancient times, prior to the 4^th c. AD. The present-day monastery, which was built in later times, has a rectangular ground plan measuring 37,74 m. x 36,93 m. and occupies an area of approximately 1.343 m^2. The perimeter walls, specifically their uppermost portion, terminate at battlements, which lend the monument the form of a Medieval castle. This is in all likelihood why its Arabian name is Qasr el Yahud [The castle of the Jews] (see image 13).

The place-name of the monastery is recorded in the 4^th c. on the renowned Madaba map as “THE BAPTISM OF ST JOHN”, on the exact location where according to Jewish and Christian tradition was the site of the crossing of the Jordan river (Bethabara, “place of crossing”) by the tribes of Israel who set out to reach the Promised Land. In the days of the Lord, Bethabara was the name not only of the site but of the entire area where communication took place between those inhabiting the opposite bank of the river (see image 3), where there must have been stations for the receipt of custom, sheds for goods, and a bridge connecting the inhabitants of the area (Perea and Judea). This is the conclusion drawn by most Palestiniologists, due to the discovery of coins from the years of the Maccabees on the opposite shore of the river.

 [Beth-Abara. According to KJV version of John, the place was called “Bethabara”. In Hebrew this may mean “the house of the crossing” of the river of Jordan. There were many crossings along the river, and a probable place will be closer to the Sea of Galilee.

Beth-Abara is referred in the old testament in conjunction with the Jordan river, so it is very likely to be the same site. In the story of the victory of Judge Gideon over the Midians (Judges 7: 24): “And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying: ‘Come down against Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.’ So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan”].

In this precise area, where the Lord was baptized by John the Baptist (The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is described in Matthew (3:13-17), told briefly in Mark (1:9-11), mentioned in Luke (3:21-22), and implied in John (1:29-34). In these texts John performs an important ritual: announcing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah), a small church must have been founded before the 4^th c. Obviously since then the area has been established as a site of veneration in remembrance of the Baptism.

The Madaba Mosaic Map (see image 4) was composed based on the Onomastikon by Eusebius, as well as on knowledge of the Holy Pilgrimage Sites and locations, which were recorded on the map with great precision in terms of their toponymy and survey. On this precise map, the ancient Monastery is depicted on the exact site of the present-day Monastery of John the Baptist. (Theodosius also described the Church of John the Baptist built there by the Byzantine emperor Anastasius I. He said this square-shaped church was built on high arches to allow flood waters to pass underneath. Archaeologists believe they have uncovered remains of the piers on which the church was built).

The ancient topography of the location of the Lord’s Baptism is identified with Evangelic information which report that Jesus Christ, after his baptism in the Jordan river, was“…led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil”. This same event is also the Christian tradition on the Church of Jerusalem which dates to the 4^th c. and has been preserved on the Madaba Map.

Further strong evidence is provided by Origen who in 220 AD studied the Holy Lands and was the first after the Evangelists to refer to the site where the Baptist baptized people and the Lord was baptized by him.

According to the tradition of our Orthodox Church, when St Helena came to the Holy Lands in order to build the All-Holy Church of the Resurrection, she also built a sublime church and guesthouse in honour of the Holy Trinity or John the Baptist, on the Baptismal site (Migne Patr. Vol. 146, p. 113). Subsequent to this event is the construction during the 6^th c. AD of two large guesthouses for the pilgrims and the Illuminators, namely monks-catechizers assigned to baptize pilgrims in the Jordan river. Further significant information is mentioned in the Itinerarium Burdigalense [Bordeaux Itinerary] in 333 AD: “Inde ad Jordanem, ubi Dominus a Johanne baptizatus est, millia V. Ibi est locus super flumen monticulus in illa ripa ubi raptus est Helias in celum”. Finally, we should not forget that between 358-360 AD, Basil the Great as well as the then known teacher Eubulus, visited Jerusalem, and were both baptized in the Jordan river, at the then customary baptismal site, by Maximus, Archbishop of Jerusalem.

It is however true that there were other baptismal sites, as recently found by archaeologists, on the opposite bank, where traces have been discovered of an Early Christian Basilica (see image 5), next to baptismal pools especially set for this purpose. (The extensive excavations along the stream bed have uncovered a string of ancient churches and baptismal pools with some remains dating back 1,800 to 2,000 years to the Roman era during or just after Jesus’ lifetime. The churches date back to the Byzantine period, beginning in the fourth century when Christianity first took hold in the region… Yizhar Hirschfeld).

Water for these baptisms probably flowed from the Ain el Kharrar spring, noted on the mosaic map under the name “Ainon” or “Saphsapha”, and poured into the Jordan river, covering a distance shorter than 2 kilometers, exactly opposite the monastery of John the Baptist. (A seventh century pilgrim to the area, John Moschus, noted Jesus’ baptism on the Jordan’s east bank took place near a site called Saphsapha, meaning “Willow.” The same Saphsapha site is noted on the ancient Madaba map in the area of today’s Wadi el-Kharrar excavations). In the area where the spring is found, a peculiar construction is shown on the historic mosaic map. (In 570, for example, the Christian traveler Antonin de Plaisance described a site two miles east of the Jordan River as “the place where the Lord was baptized … and the spring where St. John used to baptize).

Only rightly then does Cyril of Jerusalem preaches that “Water is the beginning of everything and the Jordan river is the beginning of the Gospels”, while the Holy Chrysostom assures that “The beginning of the conquest of earth and the conquest of the Kingdom of Heaven is the Jordan river”.

According to historical sources, the monastery of John the Baptist was ruined during the invasion of the Persians, its monks and other residents slaughtered. Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos (1143-1180 AD) will reconstruct the ruined Monastery which will be preserved until the time of the Crusaders before it succumbs once again to destruction by earthquake.

The earthquakes of 1166, 1168, 1170, as reported by William of Tyre, will cause great destructions, e.g. abandonment of the H. Monastery which, according to information by Ioannis Fokas, will be constructed from its foundations by Manuel the Purple-Born.

The Monastery of John the Baptist will be inhabited by monks until the early 15^th century, but after that, successive Arab raids in the region will bring about its dereliction and abandonment. The Monastery will become a refuge for bandits, which will lead the Turkish Government to blow it up. Benjamin Ioannides (The Proskynetarion of the Holy Land, p. 318) reports that among the ruins an ancient icon was salvaged, with the inscription “Here is the lamb of God and we have found the desired one”.

The historical Monastery of John the Baptist before its last destruction by earthquake in 1927

The truth for the detailed construction history of the monument will be revealed once reparation works begin and the archeologist’s spade brings to light more recent elements about its indeed complex and obscure history. It is true that the H. Monastery of the Baptist lies in an area plagued since ancient times by powerful earthquakes, the epicenter of which is found in the Dead Sea. The seismological study of professor Arvanitakis, accomplished during the 19^th c., with references on the seismicity of this area of Palestine, is very interesting in this respect because it includes not only the dates of the earthquakes but also their intensity and destructive outcomes (see relevant article on earthquakes in the Patriarchate’s News Gate: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/2012/01/21/5192 ) (see image 6).

Studying the ground plan of the present-day edifice, we can see that it is comprised of five barrel-vaulted areas, where the thickness of the load bearing walls reaches 2 meters. The arrangement of these areas is extended from the east to the west, whilst it has been found that each area belongs to a different construction phase. This specific arrangement, as well as the building style of the underground semicircular arches is reminiscent of the style of the underground areas of the adjacent Monastery of St Gerasimus. From this it may be inferred that these constructions must belong to the same time period.

In 2003, the undersigned was instructed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to conduct an architectural survey of the monument. During this process, Laser measuring instruments were used, with very good results in the final designing of the plans. The survey (site measurements) which lasted for 15 days was conducted in the presence of Israeli military authorities, as the monument falls today within the Israel-Jordan border, an area mined and barred to the public (see image 7).

Before the devastating earthquake of 1927 the Monastery was a magnificent two-storey building, as shown in a rare photograph from the late 19^th c. (see image 8).

On the first floor and at the center of the ground plan of the complex stood the Katholikon of the Monastery, a cross-domed church. Of note was the imposing entrance to the Church, between external piers which decorated the western façade of the monument and supported a vast triangular pediment which lent the monument a strictly classical baroque style.

In the north and south wing of the complex, on the first floor, lie the Hegoumen’s Quarters and the guesthouse, whilst at the southwest corner of the Church, to the right of the central door, stood a double, peculiarly low, bell tower. The dome of the church was shaped after a melon (melonen cupel) while the cylindrical drum bore 10 or 12 windows. Discerned are the battlements which decorated the high perimeter walls and which in their majority have survived to this day.

Almost the entire northern façade of the Monastery, facing towards Jordan, was protected by an immense inclined embankment which in all likelihood was meant to protect the Monastery from projectiles or to reinforce the northern wall against earthquakes. It appears that, because of the 1927 devastating earthquake, the first floor including the Katholikon, the Hegoumen’s Quarters and the guesthouse were completely ruined. An unsuccessful effort followed to reconstruct the Hegoumen’s Quarters and guesthouses with the use of reinforced concrete of very low quality, with the now well-known results (see image 11).

It appears that the idea of the construction of the church above the ground is abandoned, whilst the underground church is still used to this day. At the same time, on the wide roof terrace a dome of small dimensions will be constructed in order to illuminate the sunless underground areas of the ground floor (see image 12). In due time, the webpage of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem will present new elements on the progress of renovation and reparation works carried out at the Monastery.

Dr Theodosios Mitropoulos, Architect of the Church of the Resurrection

HOLY MONASTERY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

GROUND FLOOR

CHART OF DESTRUCTIONS AND REPARATIONS AT THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION, JERUSALEM

(By Dr Theodosios Mitropoulos, Architect)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

John 1: 28-34

”These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God..”

Matthew 3: 13-17

” Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” ”

Mark 1:9-11

”At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke (3:21-22)

”When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

On Monday, the 23rh of July/5^th of August 2013, His Beatitude Theophilos, Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, was visited by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, Archbishop of Jordan, Theophylaktos, accompanied by select members of the Arab-speaking Community of Bethlehem (Rum Orthodox). At the meeting, He was informed about the completion of necessary works and preparations for the foundation of a Spiritual Center near the pilgrimage site of Bethlehem. The center aims to offer religious, Christian, linguistic and technical information mostly intended for the youth of the Bethlehem congregation.

His Beatitude praised and blessed this significant project for the young people of the Patriarchate and suggested ways in which it may operate, also proposing to give blessings at its opening in due time.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Un99s9Kg6TU

On Thursday, the 5^th/18^th of April 2013, His Beatitude Theophilos, Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, inaugurated the Patriarchate’s Bookshop in Jaffa Gate.

The said bookshop is located in a spacious room on the ground floor of the Patriarchate’s Imperial Hotel, built in 1895 by the late Archimandrite Euthymios, Sacristan of the Holy Sepulcher during the prelacy of His Beatitude Nicodemus, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The hotel is centrally located at the main entrance to the Old City, namely the Gate of David –Jaffa Gate.

Roman Orthodox Anton Boulata has been appointed head of the bookshop. Already on display are Byzantine icons, books on Orthodox spirituality, on the history of the Holy Land and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, sold in both Greek and Arab.

Useful information for pilgrims and other visitors will equally be available at the bookshop.

Upon the conclusion of the holy water rite, His Beatitude, accompanied by the Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher, addressed the guests, namely on behalf of the Palestinian Autonomy former Minister, Ms Khouloud Daibes, Mr Walid Dajani, holder of the Imperial Hotel, Dr Ioannis Tlil and other members of the Greek Orthodox congregation, with the wish that this new bookshop of the Patriarchate may become a meeting place for spiritual replenishment and a source of beneficial knowledge by means of the books on display and the services of its personnel.

The Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/wCwmX1Rtm1Y

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The Radio Station of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was founded according to decision Number ΝΔ’/20-04-2010 of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and is run by the Patriarchate’s Website Administration. 

You may view the live radio broadcast schedule here: www.radio.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/en

Radio stations that wish to retransmit live processions from the Horrendous Golgotha, the Holy Sepulcher and the All-holy Church of the Resurrection, are kindly asked to contact the following for securing a relevant permit and the necessary technical support:

The Office of the Patriarchate’s Radio Station

E-mail: radio@jerusalem-patriarchate.info

Tel. +972-25792659

To listen to the Radio Station of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, please choose one of the following options:

To tune in via mobile phone:

Technical support for this endeavor is kindly sponsored by ISBS Hellas

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem Website Administration

On Tuesday, the 21^st of March / 3^rd of April 2012, His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III inaugurated the new wing of our Patriarchate’s school in Taybeh.

Taybeh is a suburb of Ramallah with 35.000 residents, three thousand of whom are Arab-speaking Orthodox belonging to the Patriarchate.  The Patriarchate of Jerusalem operates its privately owned school, founded in 1875, the first to be established in the surrounding areas. The school has a Kindergarten, the Primary School, a Gymnasium and High School numbering 500 students from the local area and staffed with thirty five teachers and professors.

A new wing was added to the school, financed by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and carried out by ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid). It will cover mostly the Kindergarten classes but it will also serve to the tutorial and laboratory needs of other Departments as well.

His Beatitude performed the ceremony of the Blessing of the Water and then by blessing the new premises inaugurated the school’s added wing.

At the inauguration present was the escort of His Beatitude from Jerusalem namely; His Eminence Hysihios Metropolitan of Capitolias and President of the Education Committee of the Patriarchate, the Elder Chief Secretary His Eminence Aristarchos Archbishop of Constantina, Reverend Fr. Issa Mousleh from the village of Beit -Sahour and member of the Education Committee,  the superior of the Holy Monastery of Transfiguration and Patriarchal Representative in Ramallah Rev. Archimandrite Fr. Galaktion and Archdeacon Athanasios.

Present at the inauguration were also; the Prefect of the Ramallah and Bireh area representing the Palestinian Authority  Mrs. Laila Ganam and other dignitaries of the Palestinian Authority, the representative of the American Government and USAID Mr.  Basam Rifai, the Mayor of Taybeh Mr. Daoud Kanaan, representatives of other schools in the area and of the city’s Associations along with numerous residents.

Speakers at the ceremony were the School Mastress Mrs. Ambir Hourigie, the Prefect of the area of Ramallah and Bireh Mrs. Laila Ganam, the Mayor of Taybeh Mr. Daoud Kanaan, the representative of USAID Mr. Basam Rifai and student representatives. The school’s students presented a variety of folklore dancing on stage and received a warm applause followed by gifts.

The inauguration ceremony was completed by the address of His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III. (see the following link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2012/04/03/1927/ )

The School bestowed commemorative boards of gratitude to His Beatitude, to the representatives of USAID and ANERA, to Fr. Constantine Naser who aided financially and to other sponsors.

Chief Secretary’s Office.

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On Sunday, November 21st / December 4th 2011, the Feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos after celebrating at the Holy Monastic Church of Saint Constantine and Helen inaugurated the new larger room of Epitropikon (meeting room), where every day the Holy Fathers have breakfast in the morning.

This room built to accommodate the new Epitropikon was renovated by the architectural office of the Holy Sepulcher under Mr. Theodosios Mitropoulos.

His Beatitude conducting the Blessing of the Holy Water thanked Mr. Mitropoulos and wished that this new construction of the larger room seals the progress, the growth and the diligence of the Elder Brotherhood of the Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher.

Chief Secretary’s Office

(translated from the original document in Greek by Mrs. Irini Valasi)

httpv://youtu.be/6rC2VqVCr98

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On Saturday October 2^nd /15^th 2011, His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Τheophilos set the foundation stone of a parish and school classroom at Uahadne village in Northern Jordan. In this important event His Beatitude was escorted by his Eminence Metropolitan of Philadelfia Patriarchal Vicar in Amman  Benedict, His Eminence  Elder Chief Secretary and Archbishop of Constantina Aristarchus, Archimandrite Hieronymus and Archimandrite Philoumenos.

On the way to this village, His Beatitude was welcomed at the city of Azloun by the Prefect Mr.Ali-Il-Azam and the Community Council at the City Hall of this city.The Prefect addressed His Beatitude stating the following:

“On behalf of the residents of Azloun and Your congregation as well as myself we welcome you to our city and we thank you for this visit despite your undertaken obligations which as we all know keep you occupied. Your congregation contributes to the life of our region culturally socially, financially and in many other ways, we therefore co-exist peacefully  Muslims and Christians based on the good relations between our country Jordan and Your country Greece”.

We thank the Lord for the understanding and the cooperation and for the foundation of the corner-stone at the church of Uahadne.

His Beatitude addressed the Prefect with the following salutation in Arabic https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2011/10/14/685/ 

and gave him the silver model of the city of Jerusalem. The Prefect gave His Beatitude the emblem of the city of Azloun.

From the city of Azloun, the Patriarchal Escort set off for the Uahadne city passing through a beautiful landscape with highest hills and deep valleys with pine and kermes oak trees alternating.

Just before arriving at the city an honorary delegation of almost 100 individuals cordially welcomed His Beatitude and then again before entering the Holy Church of the Community in the name of Prophet Elias.

On arrival he addressed His Beatitude, His escort, the Prefect of Azloun and the numerous members of the community gathered under the set tent thanking them for their honorary visit and interest in favor of the progress of the community and His effort for the co-existence and symbiosis of the Christians and Muslims in this city according to the original Omar treaty between the Patriarch of Jerusalem Sophronios and the Caliph Omar Hatab and the created frame in the country of Jordan by His Majesty the King Abdullah B  Ibn Al Hussein. In this country as a mosaic, co-exist different religious communities.

After the above salutation His Beatitude conducted the service of the Holy Water and set the foundation stone for the future construction of the parish room, offering in the end on behalf of the Patriarchate (30.000) USD$.

After the placement of the foundation stone, parish priest Elias Protopresbyter  of this Community addressed His Beatitude thanking him for his pastoral interest, which supports and strengthens the life and the progress of the Uahadne community and all the communities of the Patriarchate in Jordan.

Salutations were also addressed to His Beatitude as a successor of Saint James the Brother of God and the first Hierarch of Jerusalem by the representative of the Jordan government at the Cultural Center and at the Place of Baptism in Jordan River

A student of the school also addressed His Beatitude thanking Him for the Patriarchate’s support to the school.

Mr. Ahmed Inad also addressed His Beatitude as a representative of Prefecture Azloun welcoming and thanking Him for the visit supporting the Greek-Orthodox Community and contributing to the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims

In addition, the principle of the school spoke on behalf of the Muslims and Christians of the town saying that although he does not come from Uahadne he is proud of living in it. In this city, there is the model of cohabitation between Christians and Muslims. In it prevails the spirit of forgiveness that provides all people with the right to life indiscriminate of religion and nationality. He thanked His Beatitude for the visit and His support for the construction of the room where young people regardless of their religion will meet and receive education as for social co-existence.

The ceremony ended with Mr. Ibrahim Dabour addressing His Beatitude in Arabic as follows:https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2011/10/14/687/

During  the salutation, His Beatitude gave Father Elias an icon of the Holy Mandelion and the Face of Jesus Christ and icons to each one of the participants in the ceremony. Afterwards the national anthem of the country of Jordan was sung and in this way, the ceremony was sealed.

Chief Secretary’s Office

(translated from the original document in Greek by Mrs. Irini Valasi)

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