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DOXOLOGY ON 28TH OCTOBER NATIONAL DAY AT THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

On Wednesday, the 15th/28th of October 2015, Doxology was performed at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection in commemoration of the 28th of October 1940 National Day.

Doxology was held in the form of gratitude to God for liberating the Greek nation from the 1940-1944 German occupation, and also of supplication for the repose of the soul of those who fought heroically against the tyrant and fell gloriously for the national cause.

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem led the Doxology with co-officiating Primates and Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, in the presence of Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem. The service was attended by members of the Greek parish of Jerusalem and of the Rum Orthodox Arabic-speaking flock.

On the conclusion of the service, the Patriarch, Primates and guests walked to the Patriarchate, where His Beatitude addressed everyone in Greek, referring to the Greeks’ struggle against Nazism as a great miracle of mental strength, love for the homeland and unwavering faith to the Crucified and Resurrected Lord.

Mr Zacharoudiakis, the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, also addressed guests in Greek, saying that the 28th of October has been indelibly marked on our collective consciousness as a foundation of national identity. “Hellenism across the world”, said the Consul-General, “celebrates this day as one of the most glorious chapters in the country’s recent history. Greeks celebrate their magnificent and unanimous decision to defend their moral stature and fight with self-denial for the preservation of their ideals, justice and liberty”.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfwRB6RIyv8

 

 




THE PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On the morning of Easter Tuesday, the 1st/14th of April 2015, the President of Israel, Mr Reuven Rivlin, visited the Patriarchate.

His Excellency the President was welcomed at the Hall of the Throne by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers and the Leaders of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos with his assistants sang “Let’s rejoice on this Day of the Resurrection”.

On behalf of all, His Beatitude addressed the Israeli President in English, see link: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/14/13615

The Patriarch went on to offer Mr Rivlin a silver seven-branch lampstand in commemoration of their meeting.

His Excellency the President was also addressed by the other Leaders of Christian Churches in Jerusalem.

In his reply speech, the President of Israel spoke in English (https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2015/04/14/13610) whilst offering the Patriarch a replica of a very old coin.

The Israeli President was accompanied by associates of his and the representatives of the Department of Christian Affairs at Israel’s Religions Ministry, Messrs. Salameh Yacoub and Cezar Margiye.  

From the Secretariat-General




HIS EXCELLENCY’S, REUVEN RIVLIN PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL, ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO THE GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Tuesday 14 April 2015.

 

A few months ago, I had the honor, of hosting you in my house, today I am honored to be your guest.

This past month we celebrated Passover and Easter, as part of traditions

that are both, very different, and yet very similar. Celebrations of liberation.

When the People of Israel were slaves in Egypt, the first thing

Moses asked for, was not to ease the hard work; But for the freedom of worship.

The trigger to the Exodus from Egypt was the demand of the Hebrews

to “Let us worship our God”.

Religious freedom, is a value, dear to The State of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic state.

 

The same Freedom of Worship Which helped form the Jewish People

as a nation. I am proud of our obligation, And I re-affirm

that obligation, for Freedom of worship: for Muslim; Christians

from all denominations, and other minorities.

We shall not allow, hate crimes against people, or houses of prayers.

 

Israel’s law enforcement, must deal with such crimes, accordingly.

Such crimes, should not take place- not on Mount Zion

nor on the Mount of Olives, not in synagogues  nor in churches.

People who espouse hate, toward priests or teachers, hate all those

who don’t think like them.

 

We should not accept such a reality. We live in a complex political and religious reality, especially here, in Jerusalem, the microcosm  of the Middle East.

It is our shared duty to have proper  and respectful communication  between us.

For many years our relations have been kept through the Status-Quo.

 

The Status-Quo, is not only a formal obligation.

It is an expression of understanding, and of the delicate balance

of living , in a diverse community.

 

I believe that despite the differences and challenges, we can all establish trust, Partnership, and mutual respect as people of faith.

May we all have a joyous spring.

 

God bless you all.

His Excellency

Mr. Reuven Rivlin,

President of the State of Israel




THE PROCESSION OF THE EPITAPH AT THE PATRIARCHATE

On the evening of Holy Friday, the 28th of March/10th of April 2015, the magnificent procession of the Epitaph took place at the Church of the Resurrection in commemoration of the Burial and Descent into Hades of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The procession was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Primates, and Archbishop George of Siemiatycze, Poland, Hieromonks and Hierodeacons. Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang on the right with Monk Joseph of Mount Athos singing on the left, in the presence of a great crowd of faithful from Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine and Romania, praising God for delivering His Son to death for our salvation.

The service began at the Katholikon. Once the Patriarch, Primates and Priests had put on their mourning vestments, the procession began along the shrines.

From Adam’s shrine, the procession proceeded to the Golgotha, where the Gospel of the Crucifixion was read, after which the “Heileton”, symbolizing the Lord’s deposited body, was placed on the Holy Apokathelosis, where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus with the Myrophorae had placed the Lord’s body.

From there, Primates carried the “Heileton” thrice around the Holy Sepulcher, after which the three Stases of the Lamentations of the Epitaph were sung as Archbishop Theophanes of Gerassa performed a censing, and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina delivered a speech in Greek (see video).

At the conclusion of the service, after midnight, the Patriarchal Hagiotaphite Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates, as surveillance measures had already been put in place by the Israeli Police in view of the Holy Light Ceremony of the following day, Holy Saturday.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/Y0us1mAU1R4

httpv://youtu.be/htYRMWIyBi4




DOXOLOGY ON GREEK NATIONAL DAY – 25TH OF MARCH

At 10:00 am on Wednesday, the 12th/25th of March 2015, Doxology was performed at the katholikon of the Church of the Resurrection on the anniversary of the 25th of March 1821, Greek national day.

Doxology was performed as gratitude for the liberation of the Greek Nation from the bitter Turkish slavery, and as supplication for the atonement and repose of our Fathers, the National Martyrs who had fought and died for the freedom of Greece.

Patriarch Theophilos led the service with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Primates dressed in a pallium and a stole, and Hieromonks dressed in a stole. The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, attended the service with associates of his, members of the Greek Parish of Jerusalem, fathers and nuns of the Patriarchate.

Doxology was followed by procession to the Patriarchate, where the Greek Consul-General addressed guests in Greek.

His Beatitude also spoke in Greek. In Arabic, His address may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2015/03/25/11183

A reception followed at the Patriarchate, hosted by the Greek Consulate-General.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/BCyvCqjnvRw




THE NAME DAY OF HIS BEATITUDE THEOPHILOS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

On Saturday the 8th/21st of March 2015, the Name Day of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem was observed one day earlier than usual, on the commemoration of the Holy Forty Martyrs who had suffered a martyr’s death in Lake Sebaste of Caesarea, Pontus. The feast was observed as a Small Parrhesia.

A’ Vespers

The feast began on Friday afternoon with the Ninth Hour at 1.45 pm in the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, followed by a procession to the Church of the Resurrection, where the Patriarch venerated at the Holy Apokathelosis. The Patriarchal Retinue then walked to the Holy Aedicula, where Patriarch Theophilos blessed the incense.

Veneration was followed by entrance into the katholikon, where Hierodeacons performed a censing along the holy shrines.

The Head Cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang on the right and the Typikaris [head of church rituals] of the monastic church of Sts Constantine and Helen, Archimandrite Alexios, sang on the left alongside f. Joseph of Mount Athos.

The service of the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations of the Akathist Hymn was held toward the end of Vespers and followed by the procession of the Hagiotaphite Fathers to the Monastery of their repentance.

B’ On feast-day

On the morning of Saturday, at 7:00 am, the feast began with an official procession to the Church of the Resurrection.

After entering the katholikon, Patriarch Theophilos rose to the Throne, then proceeded into the Holy Bema with the Primates.

Once the Patriarch, the Primates and Priests had put on their sacerdotal vestments, the Divine Liturgy began in the katholikon led by the Patriarch. Co-officiating were: Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth, Isychios of Kapitolias, Timotheos of Bostra, Benedictus of Philadelphia, and Nicolaos of Mesogea and Lavreotiki, visiting from the Church of Greece; Archbishops Alexios of Tiberias, Dorotheos of Avila, Damascene of Joppa, Aristarchos of Constantina, Methodios of Tabor, Theophylaktos of Jordan, Theodosios of Sebaste, Demetrius of Lydda, Nektarios of Anthedon, and Philoumenos of Pella. Also in attendance were Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Presbyters, Priests visiting from other Churches, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Athens, Archimandrite Damian, Archdeacon Evlogios, and the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis. A great crowd of faithful participated, as Archimandrite Aristovoulos sang, aided by Archimandrites Philotheos and Leontios, as well as Mr Panagiotis Pantelis of Cyprus and Mr Lycoudes of Greece.

This magnificent Liturgy was followed by Doxology on the occasion of the Patriarch’s name-day.

On the conclusion of mass, guests proceeded to the Patriarchate, where the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, addressed His Beatitude on behalf of the Holy and Sacred Synod and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

The Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem also addressed Patriarch Theophilos, as did Hagiotaphites speaking on behalf of the flock, or representatives of other Orthodox Churches.

Patriarch Theophilos replied in Greek to the festive addresses.

The event at the Patriarchate was followed by meatless lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/8uQ5tHVscuI

httpv://youtu.be/T4L-SHcv-9I

httpv://youtu.be/7oYwPtaFRxw




DOXOLOGY ON THE 28TH OF OCTOBER NATIONAL DAY

On Tuesday the 15th/28th of October 2014, Doxology was held at the Church of the Resurrection, in celebration of the 28th of October 1940 national day.

Doxology was performed in the form of extending gratitude to God for His help in liberating Greece from the burden of the 1940 Italian and German occupation, and of making a supplication for the repose of those heroically fallen for their faith and country.

Doxology was led by H.B. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with co-officiating Prelates and Hieromonks, in the presence of the Greek Consul-General to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, and members of the Consulate personnel. Concelebrating with them were nuns and members of the Greek parish.

On the conclusion of Doxology, a reception was hosted at the Patriarchate, where His Beatitude addressed guests in Greek.

In Arabic, His speech may be reached here: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/ar/2014/10/28/7860

In his own speech, the Consul-General of Greece said the following:

The epos of 1940 has been indelibly imprinted on our collective memory as part of our national identity and consciousness.

Today we pay minimum tribute to the worthy guardians and keepers of our traditions, who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the freedom of the Homeland. We stand in awe in front of the splendour of their souls, with gratitude in the face of their sacrifices, and with pride of their heroism. We honour their memory and contribution. They fulfilled their duty.

Let us now consider our own duty, and our own responsibilities vis-a-vis our History and the future of our Nation.

From the Secretariat-General




ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW WELCOMED TO BETHLEHEM

On the morning of Saturday the 11th/24th of May 2014, at approximately 11:00 am, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by His retinue, namely: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, and the Most Reverend Metropolitans: Gennadios of Italy and Meliti; Ioannis of Pergamos; Iacovos of Prince Islands; Emmanuel of France; and Gennadios of Sasima. Also, His Eminence Archbishop Job of Telmissos; the Chief Secretary, Archinandrite f. Bartholomew Samaras; the Very Reverend Archdeacon Maximos Vgenopoulos; the Very Reverend Patriarchal Deacon, Mr Andreas Sophianopoulos; the very Honourable Theodoros Angelopoulos, Archon Megas Logothetis (The Grand Deputy); the very Honourable Panteleimon Vingas, Archon Megas Hartophylax (The Grand Archivist) and the most erudite Nikolaos Tzoitos, Nikolaos Magginas, Nikolaos Papachristos, Symeon Fratzelas and Panteleimon Kioses and other clerics; and also by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s accompanying committee, namely: the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda and the Patriarchal Commissioner in Constantinople, His Eminence Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon, visited the city of Bethlehem.

 

Arriving at the courtyard of the Basilica of the Nativity, His All-Holiness was warmly received by the Patriarchal Commissioner in Bethlehem, His Eminence Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan.

He was equally received by representatives of the President of the Palestinian Autonomy, Mr Mahmud Abbas, Minister Ziyad Bandak, the Chairman of the Palestinian Committee on Christian Affairs, Mr Hanna Amire, the Prefect of Bethlehem, Mayor Vera Baboun, the Community Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Bethlehem, clerics and a great crowd of faithful, exclaiming “Blessed is he who comes”.

From the courtyard, they entered the Basilica with priests dressed in sacerdotal vestments and cantors singing “Your birth, Christ our God” under the direction of the head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos.

His All-Holiness entered through the Basilica – a right reserved exclusively to the Orthodox –and through the chapel of St Nikolas and the South Gate to the Cavern, proceeded to the Holy Cave and venerated the Star and the Manger, whereupon the pericope of the Nativity was recited.

From the Cave, His All-Holiness rose to the Throne in the area in front of the iconostasis and led the Doxology service, before addressing the congregation.

From the Basilica, His All-Holiness proceeded to the renovated Hegoumen’s Quarters, where the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, hosted Him and His retinue to a reception.

After leaving the Basilica of the Nativity, His All-Holiness crossed the checkpoint at Rachel’s Tomb, and proceeded to the David Citadel Hotel.

From the Secretariat-General 




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

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

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

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

The speeches concluded the event at the David Citadel Hotel.

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

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

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

From the Secretariat-General




PALM SUNDAY AT THE PATRIARCHATE (2014)

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

  1. In the afternoon

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

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

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

II. Palm Sunday from Bethphage

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

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

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

  1. In the morning

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

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

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

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

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

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

There, His Beatitude addressed all those present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/HWhTmP_No-M

httpv://youtu.be/nRqS_TUpVyA

httpv://youtu.be/G_uqbCYE9Aw

httpv://youtu.be/FxjxD9_kasg