On Sunday, 29th May, day of the memory of the Martyr St. Theodosia the Virgin, according to the unmovable cycle of feasts and day of the memory of the Constantinople fall and 9th June, the Patriarchate celebrated according to the movable cycle of the Pentecostarion feasts the feast of the All Saints, who were fruit of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, at the chapel inside the Holy Church of the Holy Monastery of Sayda Naya.

The festal Divine Liturgy was led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, who gave the following Sermon to the congregation that had filled the chapel;

“With the Sunday of All Saints, the movable cycle of feasts that began on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee comes to an end.  The Church has presented us with the complete work of Divine Providence in the contrite Triodion and the joyful Pentecostarion, with the Feast of Pascha as the central event. We saw the fall of the first created people and the rectification of our nature through Christ’s Resurrection. We welcomed the coming of the Comforter in the world and celebrated the birth of a new people of God, the inauguration and the infusion of the Holy Spirit “on all flesh”. Closely connected to this feast, is the present feast, the seal and the end of the festal period.

 It comes therefore as the proof of the work of the Church, of the impact of the Holy Spirit in the world. Because it presents us with the fruits of that harvest, the harvest of the white fields–nations that the Apostles were sent to reap. And as Nikiforos Xanthopoulos comments very nicely on the Synaxarion of the day: the most divine Fathers established this feast after the descend of the Holy Spirit, in order to show that through the Apostles, the presence of the All-Holy Spirit managed to sanctify and make the human nature wise, and restore the people to the state of the angels through Jesus Christ, either with the offering of their martyr’s blood, or by their virtuous life and behaviour. And this is a supernatural work that is being accomplished. The Spirit, God, descends, and man, the earth, ascends. God’s Logos ascends the deified flesh and draws in it those who wish to accomplish works of reconciliation with God.  The so far alienated to God people are united with God and become His friends. The nations offer their beginning, the All Saints.

Nevertheless, there is a second reason that caused the constitution of this collective feast. Many Saints are known and honoured with feasts and celebrations by the Church. However there are many more in whom the Holy Spirit dwelled and made them sanctified. But they remained unknown and inconspicuous. Consequently, the Church honours today those unknown Saints, who “lived according to the teachings of Christ in India and Egypt and Arabia and Mesopotamia and Phrygia and in the countries above the Black Sea; moreover, all over Western Europe and the British isles, or to say it plainly, in East and West.”

The Synaxarist also provides us with a third reason. It would be imperative for all the Saints who are celebrated individually to be gathered in a single common feast, in order to show that way, that all together, they fought for the one Christ, in a common arena, they ran in the arena of the Christian virtue, they were servants of one God and they worthily received the crowns of victory from Him. Likewise, the common feast will be an impulse to the faithful who believe in the same Christ, and are servants of the same God and strive like those (the saints) in the beaten path of the life in Christ. It will be an impulse as well as a certain hope that today’s fighters will accomplish their (the saints’) glory, and they will also be numbered in the chorea of the saints, as they “have borne the burden and the heat of the day” (Mat. 20: 12). This feast could be our own feast tomorrow, when God’s grace deems it worthy to summon us in the blissful world of the triumphant Church in heaven. Because the children of the Church live in this hope; that the words they hear today “on this day, the Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the feast of All Saints, who shone forth throughout the world, in North and South, East and West” will be co-celebrated with them someday.

“Of all my Lord’s friends, I laud and sing the praises; and let any to come with them and be numbered.”

Nevertheless, the feast had not always had such a wide context. It was only a feast for all the martyrs. In the 4^thcentury we have St. Chrysostom’s sermon on this feast. Moreover, the Typikon of St. Sophia in Constantinople in the 10th century mentions a gathering and Pannychid in the Great Church and in the Church of the Holy Martyrs, located near the Church of the Holy Apostles. The feast is named “All Saints” but the synaxarion of the day specifies that the memory of “all holy martyrs who have martyred throughout the world in different times for the name of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ” is observed. If Xanthopoulos’ information is correct, the All Saints feast was established during the reign of Leon the Wise, when he built a Church and wanted to honour it in the name of his wife Theophano, who “had greatly pleased God”. He was however advised that it would not be prudent to dedicate a Church to a woman, even if she were a Saint, but who had recently died and the time had not yet given her “the honour and reverence”. The King was convinced and dedicated the Church in honour of “all the Saints throughout the world…” saying “If Theophano is a Saint, she will be numbered among all these ones”.

Regardless the origin of the new feast with the general context, that is, not only for the martyrs but for all Saints, its extension was very successful. Martyrs of Christ are not only those who shed their blood for Christ’s faith and thus sealed their faith and witness. Martyrs are all those who fought the fight of the Christian life and carried patiently Christ’s cross in this world. Martyrs are those who martyred for Christ through the daily martyrdom of consciousness; the confessors, who confessed the good confession “before both nations and kings”; the Hierarchs, who pastured Christ’s flock God-lovingly and sustained the correct faith; the Saints and ascetics who crucified their flesh “together with the passions and the desires”; the worldly people, who lived in the land of temptations and struggling, and nevertheless “behaved” as if they were in heaven; and along with these, the Prophets, righteous and forefathers of the Old Testament, who lived according to the law and “martyred through faith” waiting for the promised land; and exceptionally, the Holiest of the Holies, the Most-holy Virgin and Mother of Christ, the Theotokos Mary.

We honour the Saints with the present feast, setting their life as an example and entreating them to intercede for us to God. Whose Grace and immeasurable mercy be with us all. Amen.” 

During the Divine Liturgy H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos came to venerate the Holy chapel together with Hagiotaphite Fathers, as well as the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos.

The Patriarchal and Episcopal and Consulate entourage as well as the congregation were offered a rich reception by the good keeper and renovator of the Monastery Abbess Seraphima at the Hegoumeneion.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/2mJ3R7bqgpA

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On Monday, 23rd Mary/ 5th June 2017, the Feast of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was celebrated at the Ecclesiastical Mission (Missia) and its Holy Church of the Holy Trinity of the Moscow Patriarchate, located on West Jerusalem near the New Gate.

This festal Divine Liturgy on Monday of the Holy Spirit was led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, invited by the aforementioned delegation which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate.

With His Beatitude, co-officiating were the Archbishops of the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina and Secretary-General, the Most Reverend Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Archimandrite Stephen, Arab-speaking Presbyters, Fr. Joseph and Fr. Paul from Beitjala, and Russian-speaking Presbyters, Fr. Nikolaos, the Head of this Delegation Archimandrite Alexandros and his assistant Archimandrite Leontios, and other Hieromonks and Elders of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Archdeacon Mark and Deacon Anastasios together with Deacons of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Participants in the Divine Liturgy were a congregation of Orthodox Russian citizens of Jerusalem, who belong to the pastoral care of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, and pilgrims from Russia and Arab-speaking Orthodox faithful.

His Beatitude preached the divine word to this congregation as follows:

“We celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit, and the time appointed for the promise, and the fulfilment of hope. How great is this mystery: it is both exceeding great and most venerable. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O Creator of all, Lord, glory to Thee”; St. Gregory the Theologian exclaims through the voice of the hymn writer of the Church.

Most Reverend Archimandrite Father Alexander, representative of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia in Jerusalem,

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Noble Christians and pilgrims, 

The One who has been ascended in glory in heavens and sat on the right side of God the Father, and has sent down to His Holy disciples and Apostles the divine and holy and consubstantial and of the same force and of the same glory and coeternal Spirit, gathered us all in this named after the Holy Trinity magnificent Church, in order to celebrate in thanksgiving the Feast of Holy Pentecost and thus the coming of the Holy Spirit, namely Its coming in the world.

The sending of the Comforter, namely the Holy Spirit, was an explicit promise of the Lord to His disciples according to the evangelists. “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). And this promise was fulfilled on the fiftieth day after the bright Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, in the upper room of Jerusalem, where “they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:1-4).

The indeed great and unintelligible mystery of Pentecost is the inauguration of the revelation on earth of the secret body of Christ, namely the Church, whose pertaining to God-manhood institution is maintained and assembled by the coeternal, consubstantial and sharing the same throne with the Father and the Son Holy Spirit, as the hymn writer of the church effectively expresses: “The Holy Spirit provideth all things; He gusheth forth prophesy; He perfecteth the priesthood; He hath taught wisdom to the illiterate. He hath shown forth the fishermen as theologians. He holdeth together the whole institution of the Church. Wherefore, O Comforter, one in essence and throne with the Father and the Son, glory to Thee”.

The exuberance of the Holy Spirit which filled the Apostles is the same divine power which mesmerized the whole world and enlightened it with the light of truth and justice. Precisely to this cause were the Holy Apostles and Christ’s disciples called, to whom Jesus spoke, saying: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:18-20).

The spreading of the Gospel teaching by the Holy Apostles and Christ’s disciples shone light to the world and also gushed to all the faithful the grace of the Comforting Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, as the hymn writer says: “As Thou didst aforetime promise Thy disciples, Thou hast in every deed sent forth the Comforting Spirit, O Christ, and hast shined light upon the world, O Friend of man”. And “that which was anciently foretold in the Prophets and in the Law is fulfilled; for on this day the grace of the Divine Spirit is poured out on all the faithful”.

As the Synaxarist of todays’ feast effectively mentions, the Holy Spirit was given to the Disciples and Apostles in three occasions; quite dimly before His Passion; after the Resurrection a bit clearer by breathing upon them; and now He sent It down fundamentally; rather It came down by Itself, to complete their enlightenment and sanctification. This denotes that the “Apostolicity” guarantees the unity, holiness and catholicity of the Church as expressed in the Creed of our faith. And as the hymn writer says: “Upon the Apostles did the Holy Spirit descend by His own authority, as Thou didst promise, O Christ, and brought forth one harmony of faith in the Trinity, our God uncreated, from the many languages of all sundry nations”.

The Holy Spirit descended on the Holy Apostles in the form of tongues of fire, St. Chrysostom interprets, in order to remind us of the old story. “Because therefore in the past the people misbehaved in pride, they wanted to build a tower reaching up in the heavens, and through the division of tongues their evil agreement was halted; for this reason now the Holy Spirit is given to them in the form of tongues of fire, in order to assemble the divided world by this”.

Precisely for this reason the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us also the sharing the same doctrine and beliefs Brotherly Orthodox Churches, in this bloodless altar, in order to proclaim the agreement and unity in the Holy Spirit and hear St. Paul saying: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace” (Gal. 5:22). “Charity vaunteth not itself” (1 Cor. 13:4). And according to St. Chrysostom “love does not work anything bad against our neighbour; where love lives, Cain is nowhere to kill his brother”.

Therefore, beloved brothers and sisters, as we celebrate this Feast, let us cleanse our hearts by the Holy Spirit and accept Its coming, being enlightened in a mystical way. And with St. Gregory the Theologian let us say: “Gather us all into Thy Kingdom; grant forgiveness to them that hope in Thee; forgive them and us our sins. Purify us through the operation of Thy Holy Spirit, and destroy the enemy’s devices which are against us”, and stop the schisms in our brotherly Orthodox Churches. By the prayers of the Most-Holy Theotokos and all the Saints. Amen.”

Upon Dismissal, there was the exchange of the appropriate to the feast gifts between the Heads of the two Churches, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and the Patriarch Cyril of Moscow through His representative Archimandrite Alexandros. His Beatitude offered a cross for blessing for Patriarch Cyril, while the latter offered Patriarch Theophilos an icon of the Theotokos.

Soon afterwards there was a short reception at the Hegoumeneion of the Monastery and finally there was a monastic meal in honour of the Patriarchal Entourage, where His Beatitude gave and address in English, as per the link below:

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2017/06/05/33215

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/XYPZEbepQ10

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On Saturday, 7th/20th May 2017, the Feast of the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross in the Heavens was celebrated by the Patriarchate.

At this Feast, the Church, and especially in Jerusalem, celebrates the fact that at the time of Cyril the Katechist Archbishop of Jerusalem in 351 A.D., on Pentecost day around the ninth hour of the morning, the Precious Cross appeared brighter than the sun rays, and it was visible from the Horrendous Golgotha to the Mount of Olives; the event caused the surprise, marvel and awe of many people who came out in the streets and gazed at the sight in heaven for a long time, as described by the eye witness of the event, Cyril Archbishop of Jerusalem, in his Letter to Emperor Constantius, Son of Saint Constantine the Great.

In commemoration of this wondrous event, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Horrendous Golgotha, led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, with concelebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, first among whom was Archimandrite Ieronymos, and Hierodeacons, at the singing of the Choir Leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos and the students of the Patriarchal School of Zion, with the participation of a crowd of pilgrims mainly from Greece and other Orthodox countries as well.

The Divine Liturgy in the Horrendous Golgotha was followed by a thrice litany  around the Holy Sepulchre and then the officiating Metropolitan read the afore mentioned Letter in Greek.

After the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy the Episcopal Entourage and many of the pilgrims went to the Patriarchate and paid their respect to His Beatitude at the Reception Hall.

Therein, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias gave the following address:

“Your Beatitude, Father and Master,

Twenty centuries ago the cross was a means of dishonest punishment and atrocious death. The Romans condemned the worst criminals to crucifixion.

Today the Cross dominates the lives of faithful Christians in our Church life as a whole, as a means of sacrifice, salvation, joy, sanctification and grace. As St. Chrysostom writes, “this cursed and abhorrent symbol of the worst punishment has now become desirable and adorable”. You see it everywhere. “At the Holy Altar, at the ordination of Priests, at the Divine Liturgy, at homes. So much coveted to all has this wondrous gift, this unspeakable grace, become”.

The Lord Himself revealed in various occasions with supernatural events and wondrous revelations, in a vociferous manner, that the sign of the cross is His symbol and the invincible trophy of the faithful.

1. The known ecclesiastic historian Eusevios of Caesarea (340), contemporary of St. Constantine the Great, describes vigorously and undeniably the event of the appearance of the luminous Cross to Constantine the Great with the sign “conquer by this” an appearance made at noon, in the day light, in front of all the men of his army.
2. Despite the above mentioned supernatural appearance of the sign of the Cross, there was another one, again in front of numerous eye witnesses, when Constantius the Son of Constantine the Great was Emperor, and St. Cyril was the Archbishop of Jerusalem. The miracle is narrated by St. Cyril himself to the Emperor with a Letter of his, where he mentions that on that day (7 May 346 A.D., at the time of Pentecost), around the third hour (9 a.m.), the sign of the Cross appeared in the sky, huge, luminous, spreading from Holy Golgotha to the Mount of Olives. It was not just one or two people that saw this, but all the citizens of Jerusalem. And it did not appear for one instant only, but for hours on end it was floating in Heaven. And it was so bright, that it surpassed the sun rays in brightness, that is why they were able to see it at noon, in the day light. The people of the city that saw this miracle ran to the Church of the Resurrection. All made haste to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ in one voice, having now been taught by the events themselves that the noblest doctrine of the Christians is not based on human wisdom, which convinces with words and logic, but to the proofs, given by the spiritual gifts and the miraculous powers. And the doctrine is not being preached only by people, but is also witnessed by God Himself, from Heaven.

If 14^th September is the Feat of the Elevation of the Sacred and Life-giving Cross, a feast when human hands, of Patriarchs and Kings, elevated the Sacred Cross, projecting It as the symbol of the Christian faith and “the key hole to Paradise”, because It is our reference point to Him who shed His All-holy Blood on It, the 7th May is another feast of His Elevation, not by human hands this time, but by the “hands” of God Himself. Because He wanted, when the Christian faith had already been accepted and spread, to reveal the Cross in the Heavens, as an extension, so to speak, of His revelation at the reign of Constantine the Great with the known “conquer by it”. The hymnography of our Church propounds this event and spreads it around all its parameters: “The godly ranks of the faithful are exultant, for today a heavenly Cross is seen throughout the world. Gleaming with light unapproachable, the heaven shineth; bright is the air, fair the face of all the earth; singing godly songs , the Church of Christ doth venerate and honour that which protecteth her with strength from Heaven, the most divine and exceeding wondrous Cross”(stichiron of Vespers).

The venerable Jerusalem Patriarchate, following the order and works of the Orthodox Church, honours the feasts among which is today’s feast of “the appearance of the sign of the Precious Cross in Heaven”, which has influenced Orthodoxy around the world, despite the fact that it is a local feast.

Pray, Your Beatitude, that our venerable Brotherhood may continue this tradition to the ages to come.”

The address was followed by the festal reception and the brotherly Hagiotaphite osculation. Finally, His Beatitude offered the pilgrims Easter blessings from Jerusalem.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/rB9GMDaSuRY

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At 11:00pm on Holy and Great Friday, 1st/14th April 2017, the Epitaph service  which is about the God-saving Burial of our Lord and God Jesus Christ was observed at the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection.

For this Service, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood with its guest Archbishop Leon of Finland, led by our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, descended to the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection, bells tolling in a mourning tone, and through the Deposition and the Holy Sepulchre entered the Catholicon.

There, the Canon of the Holy and Great Saturday was sung until the Priests received the blessing by the Patriarch and they were dressed with their liturgical vestments with the Archbishops alike.

Then the entourage went as usual out of the Catholicon, and turned right towards the Shrine “Touch me not” of the Franciscans where a prayer was read aloud. This was repeated at each one of the Shrines outside the Edicule from North to South, which are The Stolen, St. Logginos, They divided my garments among them, the Crown of Thorns and of Adam.

From this Shrine the Entourage went up in the Horrendous Golgotha. There the Gospel narrative on Christ’s Crucifixion was read, a prayer followed and the veneration by the Patriarch, the Archbishops and the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos. Then four Archbishops carried the silk corporal symbolizing the grave garments of the Lord, which was laid on the Holy Altar of the Horrendous Golgotha and went down and placed it on the Holy Deposition slab, when His Beatitude read the relevant Gospel narrative on the Deposition and Burial of the Lord by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus the secret disciple of the Lord. Consequently the litany around the Holy Sepulchre followed, while during the whole service the chanting was done by the Choir Leader of the Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos, Mr. George Alvanos and their helpers.
At the end of the Litany, the singing of the Lamentations began by His Beatitude and the Archbishops followed by the choir and the congregation in the three Stases:

1. “Thou who art the Life wast laid in a tomb o Christ…”
2. “It is right to magnify Thee, Giver of Life…”
3. “Every generation, O my Christ, offers praises at Thy burial…”

At the end of the three stases and before the sessional hymns, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina gave the following sermon:

 “I venerate Thy Passion,I sing in praises of Thy burial,

and I magnify Thy power, O loving Lord:

through them I am set free from corrupting passions”

(From the 1^st Stasis of Lamentations)

Your Beatitude Father and Master, Reverend chorea of Hierarchs,

Your Excellency Consul General of Greece, Noble Priests and pious pilgrims,

If man is the crest of God’s creatures, and creation, the “quite good” world that surrounds him are thought of and received by the faithful as the foremost wondrous work of God, an even more wondrous new work of God is received and experienced in the last years, that is the likeness of God to man, the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. This event was foreseen and foretold by the prophets and evangelized by the angel to Virgin Mary. The Virgin by the Holy Spirit conceived and begot in the flesh the Only Begotten son and pre-eternal bodiless Logos of God.

This incarnate Logos of God, the God-man Jesus Christ of Nazareth, having migrated in earth, lived in Judea, Galilee and Samaria, at the time of Octavian Augustus and Pontius Pilate. He was baptized by John in the Jordan. He chose the twelve apostles. He consorted with people. These “little ones” He named His brothers. He healed them from their illnesses, in many ways He did good, he resurrected the dead. He taught the perfect law of love and forgiveness. In His one Hypostasis He was perfect God and perfect man in two natures. He took upon Himself all human passions, even death, even death on the cross. He willingly gave His life for us according to His Father’s command (John 10:17). In order to liberate us, he willingly accepted, “suffered” death, to which by their own free and ill will the people “who loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:17) condemned Him. They were the ones who saw in Him not the liberator from sin but the transgressor of the law.

However, there were those people, “the fertile soil” where the seed of His teaching had fallen; The ones who discerned the light and the truth of life in Him. Members of this “small team” were the women who followed Him from Galilee, who also became the eye witnesses of His Crucifixion. To the same team also belongs Joseph from Arimathea, who dared to come to Pilate, when at the ninth hour Jesus said in a loud voice “it is accomplished” and as human gave up the ghost, and died on the cross. Then Joseph the subtler “took up the mourning asking, how will I bury Thee my God” and alongside with the myrrh-bearing women was granted the blessed task of Jesus’ deposition from the wood and burial of His divine body.

This three-fold event, the cross, the deposition and the burial of our Lord Jesus Christ is commemorated by the Church today, at this hour when the Holy and Great Friday is almost over and the dawn of Holy and Great Saturday draws near. The Church, His holy body, holds this memorial in gratitude, because the Lord bought it (the Church) by His sacred blood, because the Church sprang forth from the blood that was poured out by His pierced side. The Church chants in joyful mourning but also in hope, complete happiness and deep thanksgiving because its Lord “destroyed death by His cross, to the thief He opened paradise, in one day He made him worthy of paradise”. The Church preaches to the world that the Lord granted this mystery of the salvation by His cross, even to those who have fallen asleep, to those who for ages have been captives to the devil due to their many sins, and are placed in the corruption of death. To those St. John the Forerunner had worked his mission. He had preached repentance also to those who were in Hades. For the sake of those, Christ descended in Hades. The Church chants that by His descend in Hades, Christ “resurrected the dead from the depths of the earth” and instead of the sufferings of Hades He granted them “to be with Him in paradise” the eternal life with Him.

This grant of the completion of man, meaning his communion with God, to coexist with Him in life and death, is the fruit of “the weakness of Christ’s cross”. Christ lived “by God’s power” because He willingly accepted the passions, beatings, mockery, the crown of thorns, the spear and death. Through all these for our sakes, Christ passed on to His glory. “These were meant for Christ to suffer and then come again to His glory”. Christ’s glory is His cross, which is the choice of God’s love for man, without negating the responsibility that lies with those who crucified Him. Christ became incarnate in order to be crucified, and Christ was resurrected because He was crucified. Christ is the king of glory on the cross. Through His cross, joy came to the whole world. The Church familiarizes itself with this mystery, accepting to suffer along with Him. To the Church it is granted “on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philip. 1:29). The Church suffers along with Christ “crucified along with Him”, cleansing itself from corruptive passions, mortified for Him, “buried along with Him in His death” in the font, in baptism. Being weak in Christ, the Church lives by God’s power in it (2 Cor. 13:4) and perpetuates the life-giving and salvific mission of Christ in the world; it preaches Him to be the fullness of life and perfection, the sacrificial love and forgiveness. Fulfilling this mission, the Church is glorified along with Christ.

The Church of Jerusalem, which has been blessed to serve Christ’s mission in the places where He lived as God-man, and especially in this vacant, blessed and life-giving sepulchre, where “He fell asleep in the flesh as mortal”, honouring His passion, burial and resurrection, has preserved this like the pupil of an eye, by the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood throughout the centuries. It maintained and rehabilitated recently the erected by Komnenos Sacred Edicule, this “Possession and tribute to Christ of the Orthodox Romans”, under the technical study of the National Technical University, by the initiative of the Head of the Church of Zion and officiating this feast, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, in praise of the blessed nation of the Orthodox Romans and glory of our Trinitarian God.

From the All-Holy and Life-giving Sepulchre, the Church of Jerusalem and Mother of Churches wishes to those honouring it with their presence, the Orthodox pilgrims of all the Orthodox nations, the patience of the crucified in the flesh, the power of our God Jesus Christ who died in the flesh and the joy, peace and exultation of the forthcoming feast of His Resurrection. So be it”.

This was followed by the blessings, praises and Doxology, when His Beatitude and the Archbishops venerated the Holy Sepulchre.

At the end of the Doxology the Patriarchal entourage dismissed the ceremony at the Catholicon and returned to the Patriarchate waiting for the Service of the Holy Light.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/jIyiVxQEHdg

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At 10:30 am on Monday 14th/27th March 2017, a Doxology was celebrated at the Catholicon of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection, as a thanksgiving to our God, who fortified our nation in order to be liberated from the four hundred years of Turkish slavery; there was also a Deisis to God for the repose of the souls of our brothers and fathers who fought for their faith and country and died gloriously.

The Doxology was led by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and co-officiates were Hagiotaphite Archbishops and Hieromonks, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos with the participation in prayer of members of the Greek Community and the Greek Orthodox congregation.

After the Doxology the ascend to the Patriarchate followed, where His Beatitude gave the following address:

“Your Excellency Consul General of Greece, Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos,

Reverend Fathers and Brothers,

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today’s anniversary of 25th March 1821 is a landmark not only to the glorious and long history of Hellenism and Romiosyni but also to the history of humanity. And this is so because the Christian nation of the Greeks, inspired by the eternal principles of the Gospel of the Crucified and Resurrected our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, was not in the least quailed by the sufferings it endured by the Ottoman slavery and tyranny. On the contrary, it remained faithful in the hope of resurrection; the resurrection which is inextricably linked with freedom, which was granted as a gift by the creative power of God to His deified creature, the human being, as St. Paul preaches; “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty” (Gal. 5:13).

To this “calling to liberty” were highlighted not only the holy martyrs of Church, but also the fighters of the 1821 revolution. This is moreover witnessed by the famous watchword of the revolution; “ For the holy faith of Christ and the freedom of the country”.

Genuine and candid ministers of the fight for the faith and the country were distinguished among others, the great leaders and heroes of 1821, the Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos, Theodoros Kolokotronis, Makrygiannis as well as members of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

We make reference to the sacrificial to the blood contribution to the fight for faith and freedom of these great men, because our contemporary era is challenged by the ill and libertine spirit of globalization, that is opposed to the sacred command of the first martyr of freedom Rigas Feraios, which is directed especially to the young people; “Do not put you hope in foreigners and adulterate sons for Greece to be saved…”

The heroic fight of the Greek Revolution for the faith and the country in 1821 propounds the moral and indelible values which distinguish the uniqueness of the human being and the purpose for his existence. And this is so because a specific characteristic of man is the spirit that lives in him (2 Tim. 1:14), that is, his soul. “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat. 16:26) says the Lord.

Our Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, sensing its duty, partakes with its whole mind to this festal memorial for our noble nation’s rebirth from its ashes,  and thus came to the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection in full participation, where they offered a thanksgiving Doxology to our Crucified and Resurrected Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, for the divine benefaction towards our nation. They also prayed fervently for the eternal repose in the land of the living for the souls of those who heroically fought for their faith and country and gloriously suffered a martyr’s death in the sacred fight for the noble nation of the Roman Orthodox people.

Through this celebration today, our Holy Church of Jerusalem, boasting in the Lord for its contribution as well as the participation of its faithful children, clergy and laity for this fight for freedom from the conqueror’s slavery, dutifully venerates their sacred memory and gratefully honours the victorious triumph of the 1821 revolution of the nation.

For all these, allow Us to raise Our glass and exclaim in thanksgiving;

Vive 25th March 1821!

Vive the noble and royal nation of the Romans!

Vive Greece!

Vive the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood!”

Consequently the Consul General of Greece gave the following address:

“Your Beatitude, Most Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We celebrate today the Revolution of our Nation in 1821. With a feeling of national pride we remember the most glorious page of our contemporary history and honour those who with their grandiose rebellion, which began on 25th March 1821, led the fight for all, and managed to throw off the Ottoman yoke through a long and unequal confrontation, full of sacrifices and indescribable sufferings, and to put an end to the four dark centuries of foreign sovereignty and secure the outmost gift of freedom for the generations that followed.

With today’s celebration we ought to remember those elements which made the success of the Greek Revolution possible, which always remain contemporary, and especially when our Country faces great challenges and is surrounded by old and new dangers; the importance of faith in the righteous fight which bears boldness and determination, enough to overcome the greatest obstacles; of fortitude of soul which ensures endurance and physical strength that are necessary provisions for every long and arduous effort, and of course, of the national togetherness and unity of all the national powers in the common effort.

We ought not to forget that the national revolution in 1821 was made possible because Hellenism managed to keep integral its identity, national consciousness, values, and the desire for freedom during the long and tenebrous years of the Turkish occupation. To all these, the most significant role was of course that of the Church, which became depositary of our values, preserving the language, the Christian Faith and the hope of the nation’s Resurrection. Thanks to the Church, the Roman’s expectation to be liberated never abandoned them.

Moreover, before the time of the Revolution drew near, clergy men, such as Saint Cosmas Aitolos, worked tirelessly to awaken the people’s consciousness with the educational message of the nation’s revolution, and quite often, paid the price with their lives. When the time of the Revolution came, the Greeks fought for their country as much as they did for their Faith. A multitude of clergy men participated in the battlefields and shed their blood.

The role of the Expatriate Greeks was also important for both the preparation and the positive outcome of the Revolution. The members of the Society of Friends (Philiki Etairia) originating from big cities of Europe, had a significant participation in the initial planning, organization and material/financial support of the Revolution, while highly educated members of the expatriates conveyed the ideas of Enlightenment and demonstrated their relevance to Hellenism, thus giving a contemporary ideological substance to the Fight, inspiring the Fighters and giving expression to their patriotic spirit; at the same time, they contributed to the projection of the Revolution towards the international common opinion of the time and the promotion of a favourable attitude towards Greece.

March 25th, 1821, remains for all of us the foundation of our national hypostasis and the capstone of the Nation’s contemporary history. The heroism, self-denial and determination of the Revolution Fighters to have a free, law-abiding and democratic Country, especially now amidst the most adverse international conjuncture, inspire us, but simultaneously bind us to live up to their standards, and just as they did, we should also rise to the occasion and work together in unity for the overcoming of the obstacles, no matter how insurmountable they appear to be. Greeks worldwide and especially those of the Holy Land, headed by the venerable Church of Zion, are a precious source of inspiration and strength in this effort.

Today’s celebration, the anniversary of the national regeneration should be a source of hope and expectation that our own efforts to overcome a long lasting financial crisis will succeed. We ought at the same time to consider our duty and responsibility towards the Nation, recalling the words of General Makrygiannis “we are in “we” and not in “I”.

Vive 25th March 1821!

Vive Greece!”

The ceremony ended by honouring His Beatitude.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/ugaCUS71jdE

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On Saturday, 12th/25th March 2017, the Name Day of H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos was celebrated (transferred from Wednesday) by the Patriarchate. His Beatitude bears the name of one of the Holy Forty Martyrs of the lake of Sabastia in Pontus, who celebrate on 9th March.

1. In the evening

On Friday evening the feast began with the reading of the 9th Hour at the Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Afterwards, bells tolling, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood descended at the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection. There, His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and the Hagiotaphite Fathers venerated the Holy Deposition Shrine and the Holy Sepulchre, and then having put on His cloak, He gave the blessing in the Catholicon and Great Vespers began, with the Great Entrance and the Blessing of Bread. Meanwhile, the Archbishops of the Holy Synod venerated the Horrendous Golgotha and the Deacons performed the incense procedure around the Shrines. At the end of Vespers, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood headed for the Patriarchate quarters.

2. On the Day of the Feast

On Saturday morning, 12th/25th March 2017, after the descend at the Church of the Resurrection and the veneration of the Holy Deposition and the Holy Sepulchre, His Beatitude was dressed in His cloak and entered the Catholicon, blessed and went up on the Throne, and the procedure of the prayers to receive the blessing from both the Priests and His Beatitude followed, while the Choir Leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection was chanting festal hymns.

Once His Beatitude and the Archbishops were dressed in their liturgical vestments, the Divine Liturgy began in the Catholicon of the Church of the Resurrection, led by His Beatitude, with concelebrants the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Benedict of Philadelphia, and the Most Reverend Archbishops: Alexios of Tiberias, Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theodosios of Sebastia, Demetrios of Lydda, Nectarios of Anthedona, and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, and Arab-speaking Presbyters of the Patriarchate, the Hierodeacons Eulogios, Anastasios and Archdeacon Mark. Singing were the choir leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos and the Consul Mr. Koenis, other members of the Greek Consulate and many pilgrims.

After the Holy Eucharist and the Dismissal, a Doxology for His Beatitude’s feast took place at the centre of Catholicon, with the participation of the concelebrants Hagiotaphite Archbishops and Hieromonks. At the end of the Doxology, the Patriarchal Entourage headed for the Patriarchate. There at the Reception Hall, Geronda Secretary-General addressed His Beatitude as follows:

Address of Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina on His Beatitude’s  our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Name Day

H.B. Theophilos III

9th March 2017

Your Beatitude, Father and Master,

The Memory of the Holy Forty Martyrs, who suffered cold and other similar tortures for their confession of Christ in the lake of Sebastia in Pontus, is celebrated by Church today, in the beginning of March, and in the middle of Great Lent. This feast is before us today, as a strong hortatory challenge and encouraging reinforcement for the continuation of our spiritual struggle towards a worthily participation in the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the Mother of Churches and the Venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood in it, the memory of these Great and Holy Forty Martyrs is associated with the feast of Your Holy Beatitude’s Name Day, as you God-lovingly bear the name of one of them, the Holy Martyr Theophilos.

For this double occasion of the memory of the Holy Forty Martyrs and Your Name Day, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was celebrated, and a thanksgiving Doxology was sang in the middle of the earth, where our God worked our salvation and where the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection stands, with the participation of all the members of our Venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, the Clergy and laity from near and afar places belonging to the jurisdiction of our Patriarchate.

Continuing the prayer we started in the Temple, for Your Beatitude’s health and longevity, we conclude now in this historic Hall of the Throne, and express all that is worthy, demure and praising, as proven by Your works, that befit You.

And we commence by saying that Your Beatitude’s distinguishing pastoral concern, care and diligence for our Greek-Orthodox Arab-speaking congregation has been once again unceasing, manifested at Your pastoral visits either at the feasts with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the preaching of the Divine word, or by providing financial aid on different occasions of need, according to the measure and the ability of the Patriarchate. On this field, with the financial aid of the Patriarchate, we celebrated recently the inauguration of the Holy Church of St. George of the border Community of Pkea in north Israel, and the suitable for it Priest was ordained. Caring for the Arab-speaking congregation, Your Beatitude has recently started the procedure for the operation of the Joint Council, an institution which specifies the participation limits of laity in matters concerning the Patriarchate.

The places of worship and estate rights of our Patriarchate were likewise protected and secured, as in the cases of the property of the Monastery of St. Theodosios, in the surrounding area of St. Savvas’ Lavra, which is a no construction area, and in the Metochion of Gethsemane opposite the Church of the Resurrection, which was in danger by the treacherous and illegally occupying the neighbouring guesthouse Israeli settlers.  In order to safeguard these property rights of the Patriarchate, large sums of money were paid to court and lawyers’ fees.

The humanitarian activity of our Patriarchate was made manifest again in practice, by the third visit of Your Beatitude in the Syrian refugees’ camp in Zaatar in Jordan, where humanitarian help prepared by the Patriarchate’s office in Amman, was offered.

All the above, Your Beatitude, took place while for more than one year, lying on Your shoulders, was the responsibility and the care in both theory and practice of the work of the restoration, conservation and rehabilitation project of the Sacred Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, according to the study of the Interdisciplinary Team of the N.T.U.A. under the coordination of the present with us today, Professor Antonia Moropoulou, with the financial contribution of noble donators, whose names are in the book of life. This work, is the capping stone of Your works, as a difficult task was made easy, and what was impossible was made possible, for which Your Beatitude first of all, and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood who cooperated with willingness and devotion with You, are able to boast modestly, for they have added a fixative and sustaining stone to the pre-existing work of Komnenos and our Fathers, as an eternal mark of the religious peace-making and cultural mission of our blessed nation in the history and glory of the Resurrected from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sincerely congratulating Your Beatitude for these, I raise my glass on behalf of the Brotherhood, wishing you undiminished health for as many years as possible, peace, solidarity and governmental power, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, towards the creation of more good works for the benefit of our Holy Congregation and the glory of our Trinitarian worshiped God. So be it.”

His Beatitude was also addressed by His Exchellency the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, as follows:

“Your Beatitude, Most Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s feast is of special significance to all of us, as the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and the noble Congregation, among which are those who serve at the Greek Consulate, honour the Name Day of the Head of the Zion Church, the Mother of Churches, His Holy Beatitude’s the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III.

It is a special honour as well as joy for me to be present at this feast for the first time since the undertaking of  my duties in Jerusalem. On this occasion, I would like, Your Beatitude, to convey on behalf of the Greek Government, its unwavering confidence and support towards the Patriarchate, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood and You personally, together with the recognition and our admiration for the multi-task work that you, tirelessly and with self-denial perform. Allow me to express our most sincere and heartfelt wishes for health, longevity and strength, so that you continue to accomplish Your important mission.

Only a few days after the bright ceremony of the completion of the restoration project of the Sacred Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, which inspired admiration and deep respect to Christians worldwide, we are given the opportunity to recognize that this project would have never been materialized without Your historic initiative, Your vision and sense of great responsibility for the protection of the exaltation of the shrines, which as You Yourself emphasized, reconciles peoples, nations and cultures, and constitutes an eloquent witness of our common human nature, our common destiny.

Your Beatitude,

The sincere disposition for understanding and reconciliation that You demonstrate and systematically cultivate, not only for the relationship with the other Doctrines and Religions, but also in the broader reconciliation and peace-making effort in this unsettled region, adds moral authority and status to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, rendering it an institution of  moderation and stability, amidst an era of uncertainty, instability and reorganizations which seem to favour fanaticism, intolerance and tensions.

Jerusalem Patriarchate is certainly a stable point of reference for the Greeks worldwide and symbolizes our long presence in the Holy Land, while it is an indestructible bond of friendship and cooperation with other nations, as it also is representative of the Orthodox Christians in the region, preserving precious traditions and conveying the Ecumenical message of Orthodoxy to all destinations. For all of us, the Holy Institution is the trustee of the most important Holy Shrines of Christianity, which are being defended with devotion and self-denial by the Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Your Beatitude,

Both the Greek Government and the faithful Greeks surround You with love and devotion. Officers and others gather at the Patriarchate as pilgrims, as we witnessed a few days ago, proving the significance they attach to Your work, and the work of the Hagiotaphite Fathers.

Among them, we also pray that You may have health, strength and longevity for the benefit of the Patriarchate, the Brotherhood, Your Greek Orthodox Congregation, Orthodoxy and peace in the Holy Land. Many Happy Returns.”

His Beatitude was also likewise addressed by representatives of other Orthodox Churches and congregations, which are shown at the rendering of thanks of His Beatitude at His address below:

“O wondrous prizewinners, with minds staunch with courage, as ye endured the pains of martyrdom nobly, ye passed through fire and water, O ye valiant men, coming out into the breadth of eternal salvation; ye gained the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven…” the hymn writer of the Church proclaims.

Your Excellency Consul-General of Greece Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos,

Reverend Fathers and Brothers,

Noble Christians and pilgrims,

“Let us rejoice in the Lord, let us shout with jubilation unto God our Saviour” (Psalm 94:1); for He has granted us the Communion of His Heavenly and Immortal Mysteries at the celebration of the bloodless sacrifice at the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection, on the memory of the Holy and Great Forty Martyrs of Sebastia, as well as the Great Martyr Theophilos, our guardian and advocate.

These Saints were distinguished for their unanimous and wholehearted confession of their faith to crucified and resurrected from the dead Christ in front of their persecutors, the idolaters, who did not succeed in dissuading the Martyrs. For this reason, being naked in mid-winter, they were condemned to spend the night in the middle of the lake by the city of Sebastia, where they suffered a martyrs’ death as their hymn writer says: “The Martyrs, O Christ God, esteemed the lake as Paradise and the cold as warmth. The threats of the tyrants did not affright their mind, nor did the noble Saints fear the assaults of torments, since they possessed the Cross as a divine weapon; for with it, as mighty men, they put the enemy to flight. Wherefore, they have also received the crown of grace”.

The Sacred Memory of these Holy and Great Martyrs is especially honoured by our Holy Orthodox Church, and this is done during the period of the Great Lent. And this is so because the Holy Martyrs went through fire and water and entered the Kingdom of Heaven, fulfilling by their works the prophetic word of Prophet David: “We went through fire and water and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment” (Psalm 65:12).

Partakers of this experience were the friends and preachers of the Gospel of love and righteousness and of the light of the salvific truth of Christ, the Holy Apostles and all who faithfully followed them, the Holy Martyrs, teachers and God-bearers Prelates of our Church.   

Our Mediocrity, bearing the name of Martyr Theophilos, who participated in the chorea of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Christ’s love, we render glory and thanks to the Holy Consubstantial and Life-Giving and Undivided Trinity on this Sacred Feast of our spiritual rebirth in Christ, but also for our calling to the Apostolic and Institutional position, of the Head of the Most Holy Church of Jerusalem on the one hand, and on the other hand, of the Hegoumen of the Order of Monks of the Venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

Today’s festal day, amidst the reverend and distinguished members of the venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, Archbishops, Hieromonks, Priests, Deacons and Monks, as well as Clergy of our brotherly Holy Orthodox Churches, and the participation of the faithful Christians of our Congregation, grants us with a great honour and an even greater responsibility “as those who must give account to the Lord” according to St. Paul’s command: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

“For an honour to the Martyr is the imitation of a Martyr” St. Chrysostom preaches. This means that the way by which Christ’s Martyr is praised, is the steadfast imitation of his faith and virtue during his life in Christ, by us who festively celebrate his Sacred Memory.

The blood of the martyrdom in Christ of the Holy Forty Martyrs and of the Holy Martyr Theophilos with them, calls all of us today to vigilance, so that the light of the witness of the sons of Christ’s light may not be put out. “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thes. 5:17-19).

We therefore say this, because the darkness of the persecutors of Christ has made its appearance in our contemporary era with the form of the most demonic terrorism which plagues humanity as a whole.

Let us thus entreat the Holy Martyrs who have parressia before God the Father, so that by their prayers and the intercession of the Most Blessed our Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, we may bear witness in this world of the martyria of love, peace and righteousness of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and we may be found worthy to celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For all these, we pray for all who have been praying with us and have honoured this feast, that you may have the strength from on high, the grace of the Holy Sepulchre, patience, and every blessing from God. We express our heartfelt thanks to those who addressed Us, Geronda Secretary-General, Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, who spoke on behalf of the members of the Holy Synod and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, His Excellency the Consul General of Greece Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Alexander, representative of the Brotherly Holy Church of Russia, who conveyed to Us the wishes of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Moscow Cyril, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Theophilos, representative of the Brotherly Holy Church of Romania, who conveyed to Us the wishes of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Romania Daniel, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, who spoke on behalf of our congregation in Nazareth, the Most Reverend Archbishop Damascene of Joppa, who spoke on behalf of our congregation in Joppa, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Philotheos, who spoke on behalf of our congregation in Acre – Ptolemaida, Reverend Fr. Charalambos Bansour, who spoke on behalf of St. James Cathedral, Professor Mrs. Moropoulou, the Zion Patriarchal School Director and teacher, Mr. Nikolaos Souliotis, and all participants in this feast.

To the health of every one of us!”

The reception at the Reception Hall of the Patriarchate was followed by a festal meal. The above mentioned Church Services were broadcast live by the Jerusalem Patriarchate radio station.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/JWYxnSX3H0M

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On Wednesday morning, 9th/22nd March 2017, the ceremony marking the completion of the restoration and rehabilitation of the Sacred Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre took place in front of the Sacred Edicule. This project began one year ago, by the initiative of Jerusalem Patriarchate and the agreement among the Christian Communities, the Franciscans and the Armenians; the research study and the work were undertaken by the Interdisciplinary Team of the National Technical University of Athens (N.T.U.A.) under the coordination of Professor Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou.

Present at this ceremony was His Excellency the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Alexis Tsipras, who had visited His Beatitude at the Patriarchate earlier that morning, Ministers of Greece, Mrs. Mika Ertegün, Commissioner of the World Monuments Fund, major and minor donators for the completion of this project, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who had also visited His Beatitude at the Patriarchate earlier, Representatives from Mount Athos, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, Representatives from the State of Israel, such as Mr. Yacoub Salame and Cesar Marjieh, the Israeli Jerusalem Police Chief  Mr. Yoram Levi, Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Mr. Tsahi Hanekby; present were also, as invited, the majority of the Hagiotaphite Fathers, led by their Hegoumen, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos.

The ceremony began with the chanting of Paschal hymns by the choir leader of the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos and his team and “The angel cried to her that is full of grace…” immediately after the address of  H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem (see link:https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2017/03/22/30993 ) . His Beatitude’s address was followed by the addresses of the Custos of the Holy Land Fr. Francesco Patton, the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem His Beatitude Nourhan, the former Custos of the Holy Land and at present the Latin Apostolic Administrator Fr. Pierre Battista Pizzaballa.

An address was given by His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (to be posted shortly).

Messages were also read by the Pope’s delegate Cardinal Leonardo Sandri and the Catholicos Patriarch of Armenia H.H. Garegin.

At the end of the ceremony the invitees proceeded to the Patriarchate. There His Beatitude gave the following address (see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2017/03/22/31041) and introduced the Professor of the N.T.U. and coordinator of the project Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou, for the presentation of the technical aspects of the project on screen. The presentation in English is as follows:

09_2_Completion_Presentation_March_2017_EN

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8wqg61ilqozkg6e/09_2_Completion_Presentation_March_2017_EN.pdf?dl=0

Consequently, His Beatitude honoured Mr. Ivan Savvidis with the Supreme Distinction of the Great Cross bearer of the Holy Sepulchre, and the owners of the Aegean Airlines Mr. Theodoros and Mr. Eutychios Vassilakis with that of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

The ceremony ended with the address of the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Alexis Tsipras.

Concluding all the above, the ceremony ended and all guests were invited to a fasting reception buffet, giving thanks to God, Who deemed us worthy to achieve the completion of such a project.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/PC_1n3DoLzc

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On Saturday 8th/21st January 2017, the following day after the Feast of Theophany, the memory of Saints Ioannis and Georgios the Chosebites was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the founded by them and dedicated to them Holy Monastery of Choseba, located at the banks of torrent Chorrath below the Sarantarion Mount and the city of Jericho.

Out of these two Saints, Ioannis was Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine in the 4th century, but he abandoned the pastoral care and became a monk in the Choseba Monastery, drawing a great number of monks there, while Georgios, of Cypriot origin, came to the monastery and renovated it from the damages, deterioration and destructions caused by the Persian raid in 614.

As evidenced by the history, before the time of these two Saints, four Anchorites lived in this monastery, named Promos, Zenon, Ganneos and Aian, and for those who remember, in the decade of 1950s the recently Canonized Romanian Saint Ioannis the New Chosebite lived there. Moreover, monks there were the memorable Hegoumen Archimandrite Amphilochios from Epirus, Archimandrite Antonios from Thessaloniki who was killed at the monastery while repairing the wall of the Narthex in the Church. His successor, also from Thessaloniki, Archimandrite Germanos was unjustly murdered by an irreverent man while he was driving back to the monastery. Archimandrite Gabriel was an ascetic at the cave of the steep cliff there, and at St. Anna’s Skete near the monastery a Cypriot monk and the icon painter and editor of the Gerondikon, monk Pavlos lived an ascetic life. At present monk, Blaze lives at the same place.

The stewardship of the monastery was appointed for some time by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos to the Hegoumen of the Monastery  of St. Gerasimos of Jordan, Archimandrite Chrysostomos, however in the last few years His Beatitude appointed as Hegoumen, Archimandrite Constantinos, who having joined the Brotherhood from the H. Archdiocese of Thebes and Livadia, manned the monastery with an entourage of Fathers and renovated the construction sites of the Church, the cells and other areas.

On the above mentioned day, His Beatitude was graciously received by the Hegoumen of the Monastery Archimandrite Constantinos with the following address in Greek:

“Your Beatitude Father and Patriarch,

With Your Reverend Entourage,

The Saints and Founders of this Holy Lavra, Ioannis and Georgios the Chosebites, as the holy hymn writer mentions, came to the desert of Judea, “in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” having renounced the world. By their ascetic life and catharsis against the passions they gave a strong blow to the devil; and they especially managed this in his stronghold, in the desert!

Indeed, every newly founded Monastery is a trophy victory against the devil, while its annual feast constitutes an attribution of honour to the winners (!) its Saints, who defeated the enemy of our faith, just like the Saints Ioannis and Georgios did! The Saints, who, whilst walking on this earth in present life, became citizens of heaven.

Friend of Saints, Father and Patriarch,

We are convinced that being present at the Divine Liturgy, every single day You pray for all of us the Hagiotaphite Brothers. Spiritually we feel Your Fatherly affection and experience the care of your Beatitude for the Venerable Patriarchate. With unblemished ethos, Your Beatitute you thrive, by maintaining, renovating, beautifying the Holy Shrines in all places belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Prime examples of which are the maintenance projects – with the appropriate reverence and caution – at the Holy Edicule and at the Basilica that hosts the Nativity Cave in Bethlehem! You decorate the Most Holy Shrines just like Saint Modestos did, as the hymn writer writes for him.

As your Sons, we honour Your Beatitude’s

Presence, exclaiming

You are most welcome!”

Thereupon His Beatitude led the All-Night Vigil of the Feast and the Divine Liturgy, with concelebrants, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend  Arcbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, and the Hegoumen Archimandrite Constantinos and other Hagiotaphite Fathers, at the singing in Greek on the right of the Chosebite Fathers, Archimandrite Seraphim of the H. Monastery of Geromerion, and Fr. Georgios of the H. Archdiocese of Elia, and on the left in Arabic, the choir of Archimandrite Philotheos, the Patriarchal Commissioner in Acre. Present were also the praying faithful pilgrims from the neighbouring to Jericho areas and other towns, as well as pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania.

To this congregation His Beatitude gave a Sermon in Greek as follows:

“The Lord magnified His saints on earth, in all His will in them. Their infirmities were multiplied, and thereafter they were quickened.

The Lord made His Saints in Palestine worthy of admiration, and all His good will and pleasure is found in them. Many were the sorrows of these saints, soon afterwards though they were vanished, the Prophet David chants.

Beloved Brothers in Christ,

Noble pilgrims of the relics of Choseba,

Our Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded by the waters of the river Jordan, did not need the purification for himself by them, but on the contrary he bestowed our own rebirth through his action, He gathered us all in this hagiographic and sanctified place, namely the Monastery of Choseba, in order to thankfully and festively honour the memory of our Father among the Saints Georgios the Chosebite.

Our Saint Georgios, having received the same name as the Great Martyr Saint Georgios the Triumphant, and of course having become an earnest imitator of Christ our God, who died in the flesh for our sakes, he strove to die and to be crucified together with Him, through apathy, and having reached the outmost apathy, he was granted the fullness of the Holy Spirit as the Synaxaristis writes for him.

In other words, our Saint Georgios was a featured martyr of his strict ascetic struggle, as St. Chrysostom teaches by saying: “The exercise of devoutness is martyrdom”. And according to Prophet David “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies (Psalm 25:10).

Our Father in Saints Georgios looked for a spiritual arena and found as the most suitable place the area surrounding the river Jordan, where John, Zacharias’ son was, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Lk 3:2-3), and Jesus, coming from Nazareth of Galilee was baptized by John in the river Jordan (Mark 1:9).

We say this, because the Monastery of Choseba, located within the borders of the Jordan area, became the baptismal site of Christ in the Holy Spirit, where a multitude of ascetics and monks were baptized in Christ and put on Christ, according to the words of St. Paul “Those of you who have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27), and in another verse, “and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephes.4:24).

St. Paul, who believed in Christ when “suddenly there shined around him a light from heaven” (Acts 9:3), was clad in the Light of Christ as in a garment, meaning the very same Christ, Who is the light of the world “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12), says the Lord, and elsewhere, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46), and “he that doeth truth, cometh to the light” (John 3:21).

In this unapproachable light, that glowed in the form of a dove on Jesus baptized by John in the river Jordan, our Father among the Saints Georgios was clad, who has invited us together with his fellow ascetics Ioannis and Ioannis the New Chosebite in this Eucharistic gathering, in order to glorify and together with the hymn writer bless our Holy Trinitarian God saying: “ the illuminating and lighting the people, Jesus the self-generated light, being baptized in the river Jordan, Thou shone a light consubstantial to the Father, in which all creation enlightened cries to Thee, blessed is the God made manifest to us, glory to Thee”.

Our Holy Church preaches this self-generated light, the Holy Trinitarian God and evangelizes God Logos, our Saviour Jesus Christ to the world. This self-generated light is being witnessed in words and actions, in practise and theory, by the Saints of our Church, meaning the friends of Christ, who being made of clay put on the image of the Heavenly One (1^st Cor. 15:49) meaning the incorruptibility and resurrection of Christ. This fact is witnessed by the relics of the saints. This is also witnessed by the incorruptible and fragrant complete relic of the body of the Romanian St. Ioannis the New Chosebite, who was a spiritual student of our Father among the Saints Georgios. This is witnessed by the faith of us Christians, in the unspeakable mystery of the incarnation of God the Logos, our Saviour Christ, who was begotten by the pure blood of the ever Virgin Mary, born in the cave of Bethlehem, and baptized by John in the waters of the river Jordan.

Let us therefore my beloved brothers, purify perceptibly our senses and entreat our Holy Father Georgios by saying “to all those who honour you, grant enlightenment and communion with God”. Amen.

After the D. Liturgy, His Beatitude performed a Memorial Service at the graves of the three former Hegoumens of the Monastery, Archimandrites Amphilochios, Antonios and Germanos.

After the Dismissal, very early in the morning, the Hegoumen Arch. Constantinos offered a meal to His Beatitude and the congregation.

From Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Q_Z6D8zhIhk

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On Sunday, evening of the Feast of Christ’s Nativity, 26th December 2016 / 8th January 2017, the distinguished member of the Greek Community of Jerusalem, dentist Mr. John Tleel, the author of the book “I am Jerusalem”, consigned to the Patriarchate Website his article about the Church of the Resurrection and the present restoration works at the Holy Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre. The article is as follows:

“The Temple of the Anastasis (Resurrection)

Where are you going, I am asking my friend, and he replies, to the Naos, the Temple, today is Palm Sunday. He does not use the usual wording “church”. To me it is the Temple, and it could be the third Temple of that time and even all times. It was built by an Emperor, the great Emperor Constantine and his mother Queen Helen.

Till today, and after 2017 years, in spite of many enemies, who destroyed and wanted to get rid of it, the Constantinian foundations are still proudly there. Yes, I saw them with my own eyes one night, when the Temple gate was closed as usual, (with the centuries old and unique in the world historical Muslim/Christian tradition), myself and Leo Collas, the then architect of the Rum (Roman) Orthodox Patriarchate and the Greek Government, we remained inside the Temple and we were gracefully hosted by the Skevophylax, Superior Archimandrite Daniel, with whom we shared the blessed Holy Sepulchre monastic frugal supper.

At that time special repairs, of consolidation and restoration were at last taking place, after the signing agreement, between the three main Communities, the Greek Orthodox, the Latin and Armenian Orthodox, in March, 1958.

Jerusalem through the ages was always a City of religion and venerated as a religious City, but the birth of Christianity and Christendom, the importance of the Holy City of Jerusalem increased, and not only the local Christian population, but Christian pilgrims from the four corners of the earth rushed out, to visit the Holy Land, in order to venerate and prostrate before Christ’s Holy Tomb, to light a candle and pay a blessed pilgrimage to all the Holy Places.

Today more than any time in the past, Jerusalem and particularly the Old City is an Icon beyond human understanding, and the miracle of the Holy Light, (Holy Fire) that emerges from the most sacred Temple of the Anastasis of Holy Saturday, illuminates from the beginning and till the end the currently taking place formidable consolidation modern technics around the Holy Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre. The National Technical University of Athens under the supervision of the distinguished Professor N.T.U. A., Antonia Moropoulou, Vice President T.C.G., is taking the great responsibility of the entire extremely delicate project.

The main reason for writing the present theme, is the current works of preservation and consolidation of the Edicule of Christ’s Holy Sepulchre, for me, it is a miracle, that is why I feel exceptionally privileged to see and experience this second and highly needed achievement taking place in 2016 after living that of 1958.

The Temple of the Anastasis, of the Holy City of Jerusalem and especially to me, is in fact the world Ecumenical Temple and could be also, under the present world chaos, a universal interfaith paradigm.

My humble congratulations to all the parties, religious, political, technical, the media and all the interested in these most historic works of the Κουβούκλιον (Edicule) of Christ’s Holy Tomb.

A Paean (Παιάν) to the Holy Edicule

Of the Tomb of Jesus Christ

Dr. John N. Tleel

Author of “I am Jerusalem”

Old City Jerusalem

January 2017”

On Tuesday, the 9^th/22^nd of November 2016, the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood celebrated the 11^th anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the glorious Throne of St James the Brother of God.

Doxology was held in the Church of the Resurrection at 10:30 am, led by His Beatitude, who had as concelebrants Primates and Priests. In attendance were members of the Greek Parish and the Arabic-speaking congregation, in the presence of the Greek Consul in Jerusalem, Mr Christos Sofianopoulos.

After Doxology, clerics and laypersons paid their respect to His Beatitude.

In his address, the Elder Secretary-General called the enthronement of Patriarch Theophilos a very important event, marking the unity of the institution of the Church, particularly the cessation of the tempest that had tossed but not sunk the boat of the Church of Sion. “Judging ourselves in humility according to Christ”, Archbishop Aristarchos said, “we can see we have done our best to respond to the mission and the work we have been assigned, the heritage we have received from our ever-memorable Fathers, to guard and to complete before delivering it, integral and enriched”.

Archbishop Aristarchos also referred to the relations of the Patriarchate with the other Orthodox Churches, e.g. the Patriarchate of Serbia, cultivated during the visit of Patriarch Theophilos to Serbia, and Mount Athos, where the Patriarch had led the feast for the Dormition of St Anne.

The Patriarchate’s participation in the Holy and Great Synod of Orthodoxy, held in Crete during the summer, as well as its support of Christians persecuted in the Middle East were also pointed out.

The crown of the achievements of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, said Archbishop Aristarchos, is the ongoing project on the restoration of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre, in agreement with the three major Communities, and in accordance with a study conducted by the NTUA.

In his own address, the Greek Consul-General expressed the respect, love and gratitude of Greece for the great pastoral work of His Beatitude, the safekeeping of the Holy Shrines and the promotion of the ecumenical values of Orthodoxy.

“The Greek State and the Greek faithful”, said Mr Sofianopoulos, always endow you with their love and dedication, visiting the Patriarchate as humble pilgrims, thus proving the significance they ascribe to Your work and the work of the Hagiotaphite Fathers”.

Other representatives of the congregation and the sister Orthodox Churches addressed His Beatitude, who replied in Greek, referring specifically to the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre, the importance of which does not pertain only to this most holy monument, but also to the situation of Christians in the Middle East, tried by a civil war on the one hand and expatriation of thousands on the other hand.

In closing, His Beatitude Theophilos extended thanks to all those honouring Him with their presence on the anniversary of His enthronement.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/AsuVG75NlBg