At noon of the Sunday of the Myrophorae, namely the 21^st/4^th 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

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

1. In the afternoon

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

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

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

II. Palm Sunday from Bethphage

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

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

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

1. In the morning

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

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

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

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

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

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

There, His Beatitude addressed all those present in Greek.

From the Secretariat-General 

httpv://youtu.be/HWhTmP_No-M

httpv://youtu.be/nRqS_TUpVyA

httpv://youtu.be/G_uqbCYE9Aw

httpv://youtu.be/FxjxD9_kasg

On Tuesday the 8^th/21^st of January 2014, the feast of the Holy Monastery of Hozeva was celebrated.

The Monastery is one of the most ancient in Palestine; it lies on the slope of the torrent of Horrath which, passing through Jericho, flows into the Dead Sea.

On the footsteps of the first ascetics, Promon, Aias, Zenon and Yannaios, the Monastery had distinguished Hegoumens, i.e. St John the Bishop of Caesarea, Palestine who came here after abandoning his Episcopal duties in the fifth c., as well as St George the Cypriot, who in fact renovated the Monastery in the wake of the destructive Persian invasion in 614 AD.

It is to the name of these two saints, considered to be the Monastery’s proprietors, that the Monastery is dedicated, having survived several damages through a turbulent history. Remembered fondly as Hegoumens of the Monastery are – the late Archimandrite Amphilochios, its dedicated servant for more than thirty years; the late Archimandrite Antonios of Thessaloniki, killed when a wall of the Narthex collapsed during repairs; the late Archimandrite Germanos of Thessaloniki, murdered on his way to the Monastery by an unholy hand; the Hegoumen of Abba Gerasimus of the Jordan, Archimandrite f. Chrystostomos, who took over as Hegoumen for a transitional period of time after a rock had landed on the Monastery. Today, Archimandrite Constantinos is the Hegoumen, having joined the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood from the Church of Greece.

In this historical Monastery, which is greatly loved and very often visited by pilgrims, either Orthodox or not, both Christians and non Christians, His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, was received warmly by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Constantinos.

In his welcome speech, Archimandrite Constantinos referred to Sts Johns and George as “having given breath to the barren desert, given life to the area of the torrent of Horrath. The purpose and objective of their arrival to this consecrated site was their pure intention to cleanse themselves from passions.”

“Therefore”, the Hegoumen went on to say, “they became models to be emulated from that time to the present day; models of safe and successful sailing across the sea of life. Because only if man offers God his exclusive love, when he does everything there is to cleanse his heart, when he fervently wishes to communicate with God, only then shall he be given the evangelic: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5, 8).

At the conclusion of the Hegoumen’s speech, His Beatitude Theophilos led the commemoration of Sts John and George the Hozevites during a nocturnal vigil. Co-officiating were the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Isychios, Metropolitan of Kapitolias; the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; and the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Constantinos. A crowd of pious Christians, monks and nuns, locals and pilgrims participated in the celebration.

To this pious congregation His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek, referring to the Epiphany of Christ in the Jordan river, through which He “vanquished the domain, the power of sin, investing within Himself our human nature with the new garment of imperishableness”.

“It is precisely this garment of the divine and sanctifying and unapproachable light”, His Beatitude added, “that Hosios Father George, hailing from Cyprus, had put on. Of the same garment of the divine light of the Holy Spirit we are called to become communicants and sharers”.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarchal Retinue as well as the entire congregation were hosted to lunch at the monastery, after which His Beatitude left for Jerusalem.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/MPYI2p4CJDk

On the night of Friday to Saturday, the 13^th to 14^th/26^th to 27^th of December 2013, the recently tonsured monk Polycarpos was ordained deacon by the Elder Sacristan of the Holy Sepulcher, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis. The ordination took place during a nocturnal divine liturgy in the Holy Sepulcher, in accordance to a decision by the Holy and Sacred Synod.

Prior to the ordination rite, His Eminence the Archbishop of Hierapolis addressed a speech to the ordained, saying among other things:

[…] “From a young age you have dedicated yourself to the service of your neighbour. Initially you devoted yourself to the service of your country, with zeal and self-sacrifice, emulating our heroic ancestors who fought and sacrificed themselves for the Holy faith of Christ and the freedom of our Homeland”.

“You were given the special honour of guarding the homeland from the sky. Your systematic study, thorough performance of your duties and impeccable ethos, promoted you to being responsible not only for governing an aircraft, but also for the rest of the crew and soldiers on board”.

“Yet, whilst flying through the blue sky, you yearned for the heavenly shrines, the kingdom of heaven, because “the glory of the celestial bodies is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (I Corinthians 15, 40) And once you discovered the “fine pearl”, namely our Lord Jesus Christ, “you went away and sold everything you had and bought it” (Matthew 13, 46). And you realized that everything that’s earthly is vain and brings confusion and grievance to man”.

“The Church is the only joy and elation, which akin to an arc, guides the faithful towards the ports of salvation. And you chose to abandon your successful secular path and devote yourself to the Holy Lands, knowing their special blessing from the Psalm: “For the Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for his dwelling” (Psalm 131, 13).

[…] “Finally, your are called upon to emulate our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who willingly denied the earthly and secular power that the devil offered Him on the mount of temptations, ascended the Horrendous Golgotha and was crucified, becoming an exemplum of forbearance and tolerance towards His crucifiers. You too will “deny yourself and raise your cross and follow it”, carrying a positive hope, that after the Cross follows the Resurrection”. […]

Listening to His Eminence’s paternal advice, f. Polycarpos approached in piety and placed his head and hands on the stone rolled away by the angel during the Lord’s Resurrection and, praying, received the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, ordained to the first rank of priesthood, whilst the crowd cheered “Worthy he is…”

The procession was transmitted live on the Patriarchate’s Online Radio Station, see link:  www.radio.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/en

At the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the ordained hierodeacon, f. Polycarpos, hosted those honouring his ordination with their presence to a reception in the Office of the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis.

From the Secretariat-General

 httpv://youtu.be/FNvgQiE3Vhg

On Friday the 9^th/22^nd of November 2013, the eighth anniversary of His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, was celebrated by the Patriarchate.

On the occasion of the anniversary, a Doxology service was held in the All-Holy Church of the Resurrection.

His Beatitude led the service with co-officiating Hagiotaphite Prelates, Hieromonks and Presbyters of our congregation, visiting from Monasteries and parishes either near or remote, within the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Doxology was attended by the Greek Consul-General in Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, joined by his associates and his honourable wife, as well as by local faithful and pilgrims.

At the end of the service, amidst the sound of church bells, the Patriarchal Retinue proceeded to the Patriarchates. There, according to the protocol, His Beatitude was greeted by the Elder Secretary-General Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina. In his greeting, the Elder Secretary-General referred to the deeper ecclesiastical importance of the Enthronement, as an event which ‘being an ecclesiastical act, it has, as a connecting link, brought together the separate members of the body of Christ and of the Church of Sion under a single power and authority, that of Your Beatitude, and from there on marked the continuation of its harmonious operation, as well as that of the Church as a whole. After all, in the word of the Apostle Paul, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (Corinthians A, 12, 26)

The Greek General-Consul, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, addressed His Beatitude in Greek. This is an excerpt from his speech:

[…] Your Beatitude,

Greece, in recognition of Your personal contribution, and honouring its indissoluble ties with this sacred foundation, confers to You its full aid and unreserved support, embracing You with its trust. We remain Your helpers in Your indefatigable and unrelenting efforts. The recent visits of the country’s Prime Minister, the Vice-President of the Government and numerous Ministers and Officials, provide testament to this fact, and a proof of dedication to You, and of our non-negotiable and firm alignment with You and this sacred institution. […]

Also addressing His Beatitude were the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth; the representative of the Russian Spiritual Mission (MISSIA), Archimandrite f. Theophanes, the Archbishop of Joppe, Damaskinos; the Archbishop of Quatar, Makarios, on behalf of the Metropolitan of Philadelphia, Benediktos, and on behalf of the Archbishopric of Quatar; the Archbishop of Pella, Philoumenos; the Hegoumen of Accra, Archimandrite f. Philotheos; the Principal of the Patriarchal School of Sion; the Headmaster of the School of St Demetrios, f. Issah Awad, vicar at the Cathedral of St James the Brother of God; the Hegoumen of the Community of Beit Jala, Archimandrite Narkissos on behalf of whom spoke f. Georgios Sahuan, and the Community of Remli.

In His reply speech, His Beatitude thanked all those present. This is an excerpt from His speech:

[…] This venerable anniversary of the Patriarchal Enthronement in the seat of Christ’s reigning city, does not pertain only to our Mediocrity but also to our Christian community, the one within the ecclesiastical boundaries of Our spiritual jurisdiction.

This we say because the entire Universe, especially so our own region, is tried fiercely by both visible and invisible powers of the ruler of the darkness in this century (Ephesians, 6, 12) according to Paul. And because of this, humanity as a whole anticipates the safe haven of hope, Christ crucified and risen, “whom we, the humble, preach and acknowledge in piety and gratitude” in these natural sites of His redeeming work.“Because Christ is in you, the hope of glory”. (Colossians, 1, 27)

In this situation in which we were in when God called us (1 Corinthians, 7, 20) we are invited to prove ourselves worthy of our Hagiotaphite mission, “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians, 6, 6-7).

His Beatitude’s address was translated into Arabic by the Patriarchate’s spokesman for Arab-speaking Mass Media, f. Issah Musleh.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/VQPwzXwNcwk

On the afternoon of Saturday the 6^th/19^th of October 2013, the Secretariat of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy visited the Patriarchate.

The delegation, consisting of approximately thirty-five members, was received by His Beatitude Theophilos in the presence of Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher.

During the visit, Secretary General Mr Anastasios Nerantzis pointed out that the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy consists of distinguished members from twenty-five Orthodox countries, with Greece and Russia being the Assembly’s pillars and guarantors.

In his address to His Beatitude, the President of the General Assembly, Mr Sergei Popov said:

“We are especially pleased to visit the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the most ancient religious institution in the Holy Land. Its peacemaking, conciliatory and political role, since 451 AD onwards, we deeply appreciate, alongside the personal work of Your Beatitude”.

“We are also pleased over the fact that our paths cross, namely the path of the Patriarchate and the path of our organization, as we too aim and pursue the promotion of peace, change which is personal and social alike, and reconciliation. It is with emotion that we visit the Holy Sepulcher and the Patriarchate, in solidarity to its work in the flaring region of the Middle East and beyond”.

In His reply speech, His Beatitude expressed his joy over the fact that the Orthodox Church is today assigned with an important role in the life of humanity. Its foremost task is man’s healing, change, conciliation; it does not promote political interests or the objectives of globalization. This is the work of the Orthodox Church in its entirety, especially so of the Church of Jerusalem from where the Christian truth emerged as a message of peace, change and justice.

For its work the Patriarchate enjoys the respect and appreciation not only of the other Churches but also of political governments and religions in the area, Judaism and Islam. That is why the Patriarchate expects support and solidarity, not undermining. It maintains the sanctity of the All-Holy Sites of Pilgrimage which are not to be visited only as museums but also as functional spaces.

“The sites of pilgrimage are worthy of respect for Christians, Muslims and Jews”, His Beatitude pointed out.

“Political and religious groups claim exclusivity to Jerusalem. Jerusalem, as we all know, is internationally a corpus separatum. For us, Jerusalem is the spiritual capital of the whole world” said His Beatitude and went on to add:

“[…] For this reason the Patriarchate plays a role in the settlement of the political status of Jerusalem. That is why we have been trying to convince our Orthodox brothers to support the Patriarchate and not use it to achieve political goals. I mean that the Patriarchate has offered blood and money for Christians. We happily receive both Orthodox and non-Orthodox pilgrims because their presence attests to the fact that the sites of pilgrimage belong to the whole world. There is in Jerusalem the paradox of multicultural tension and at the same time peaceful coexistence. The Patriarchate is the only autocephalous and indigenous Church, hence in it meet the most extreme with the most moderate elements”.

At the end of his speech His Beatitude offered the President of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, Mr Sergei Popov, and Secretary General, Mr Anastasios Nerantzis, the “History of the Church of Jerusalem”, a depiction of the Nativity and icons of the Holy Sepulcher; He also offered Jerusalemite eulogias to all members of the Assembly.

Subsequently, the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy left for two-day assignments in the city of Bethlehem where they visited the Basilica of the Nativity.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/U2xJriV–qw

During the period between the 21^st to the 25^th of September/ 4^th to 8^th October 2013, the Patriarchate of Serbia celebrated the 1700^th anniversary of the Edictum Mediolanense, issued by Constantine the Great (in 313 AD) who hailed from the ancient city of Naissos, namely present-day Nis, Serbia. The Edict of Milan allowed the Christian religion within the Roman state.

His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina and Elder Secretary-General; His Eminence Makarios, Archbishop of Kattara, who had pursued theological studies in the Belgrade Faculty of Theology, and Archdeacon f. Athanasios.

His Beatitude and retinue, who arrived in Belgrade on the evening of Friday, the 21^st of September/4^th of October 2013, were received by His Beatitude Irinej, Patriarch of Serbia, in the presence of Prelates, Hieromonks and Hierodeacons.

During this warm reception, His Beatitude Irinej thanked His Beatitude Theophilos for accepting the invitation of the Church of Serbia to participate in the celebrations for the recognition of the Christian religion by means of the Edict of Milan, adding he was particularly happy about the pilgrims coming from the Holy Sepulcher.

In response, His Beatitude Theophilos extended His thanks for the warm reception and for the reason that, beyond the significance of the Edict of Milan for the Church and the world, the very meeting of the Heads of Orthodox Churches or their representatives was in itself significant for further tightening their relations.

In the meantime, His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Albania, arrived, and was cordially received by the Patriarchs of Serbia and Jerusalem, who were still at the airport with their respective Retinues.

On the following day, Saturday the 22^nd of September/5^th of October 2013, Doxology was held in honour of the event at the great and historical Cathedral of Sts Taxiarchai which stands in the center of Belgrade, opposite the Patriarchate.

During Doxology, the Patriarch of Serbia addressed the Heads of Churches and their retinues, whilst the Most Reverend Irinej, Metropolitan of Baska, translated into impeccable ancient Greek. The Patriarch underlined the importance of the work of Constantine the Great and of significance of the Edict issued by him, as well as the significance of the Gathering of the Heads of Churches in his birthplace of Nis, with the aim of working together towards the resolution of problems and for a broader fraternal society in favour of justice, love and unity in the world.

On behalf of the Heads of Churches spoke the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Greek, whilst the Metropolitan of Baska translated into Serbian.

After the apolysis of the liturgy, a reception followed at the Patriarchate of Serbia.

From there, the Heads of Churches and their retinues visited the Serbian President, His Excellency Mr Tomislav Nicolic. Mr Nicolic expressed his joy over the celebrations held by the Church and the State of Serbia as well as for the Inter-Orthodox participation.

Following a short rest break, the Heads of Churches and their Retinues left for the city of Nis. After a three-hour drive, they held Doxology at the Cathedral of Sts Constantine and Helena in Nis.

On the morning of Sunday the 23^rd of September/5^th of October 2013, an Inter-Orthodox Patriarchal Joint Liturgy was held at the forecourt of the aforementioned Cathedral. Participating in the Joint Liturgy were thousands of pious Serbs, led by their President, Mr Tomislav Nicolic.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made a speech.

Subsequently, the Patriarch of Serbia conferred the medal of St Constantine the Great, first class, to each of the Heads of the Orthodox Churches, and to the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr Tomislav Nicolic. The Prelates accompanying the Heads of Churches were decorated with the medal of St Constantine, second class.

Lunch followed, during which each Primate made an address. The address of His Beatitude Theophilos may be read here in English: https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/2013/10/11/3130

Due to pastoral requirements, namely the feast of St Thekla, His Beatitude left on the morning of Monday the 27^th of September/ 7^th of October 2013, whilst His Eminence Makarios, Archbishop of Kattara, undertook to represent the Patriarchate in the rest of the festive celebrations of the Church of Serbia.

From Belgrade, His Beatitude flew for Constantinople with Turkish Airlines and from there arrived in Jerusalem during the early hours of Monday the 24^th of September/7^th of October 2013, in order to lead the procession for the feast of St Thekla, Great Martyr and Equal to the Apostles.

From the Secretariat-General

On Tuesday the 4^th/17^th of September 2013, a holy water rite was performed on the occasion of the start of the new school year 2013-2014 in the Patriarchal Hieratic School on the hill of St Sion.

The rite was performed by His Beatitude Theophilos, Our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina, and Archdeacon f. Athanasios. Attending the rite were, from the School Board, Hierodeacon f. Martyrios; the Principal, Physics teacher monk f. Fotios, detached teachers from Greece and Cyprus, the School’s pastor and  Hegoumen of the Monastery of Hojeva, Archimandrite Constantinos, the new Consul-General of Greece to Jerusalem, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis, his associate Ms Aspasia Mitsi, students, fifteen in all, and some of their parents.

After the rite, at the School’s Events Hall, the Principal f. Fotios addressed His Beatitude, teachers and students in the speech available through the video below.

In His reply speech, His Beatitude said that the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher, the future members of which are today’s novices, and which carries the ecumenical mission of safeguarding the All-Holy Sites of Pilgrimage, celebrated today the spiritual opening of the new school year in order to bless those who teach and those who are being taught the god-pleasing work of education.

Special reference was made to the presence and the work of the Patriarchate and Brotherhood in the holy and ecumenical city of Jerusalem, at all times, especially so during this difficult period facing the Middle East and the rest of the world.

His Beatitude wished the students diligence in Christ’s education, spiritual achievements and sense of honour maintained by those attending the School. He also wished for more students in order for the School to pursue its mission in a more effective way.

Through a few words, the Greek Consul-General reiterated the will of Greece to support the education of the Brotherhood at the School and urged students to prove worthy of our national and religious tradition, serving the Church and the Nation, as required by them.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/VFTqe1-n3Q8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Secretariat-General

  HOLY CITY OF JERUSALEM, 22-5-2012

Your Beatitude,

It is sincere privilege and profound honour to greet our esteemed guests and my fellow pilgrims of the Order of Saint Andrew to this historical and hallowed pilgrimage in the Holy Land and the sacred city of Jerusalem, where we are humble guests of Your Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, the 141^ST Patriarch of the ancient Orthodox Christian Church of Jerusalem.

Your mere title, Your Beatitude, introduces us to the auspicious and awesome region that we find ourselves today. For you are the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christians in the old city of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria and Arabia, beyond the Jordan River and Cana of Galilee, and finally Holy Zion. This city isone of the oldest and holiest in the world; it has been sacred to the people of the Old Testament for 3000 years and to the people of the New Testament for 2000 years. This territory has been trodden by the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; it is here in Bethlehem, that Christ was born and lived, preached sermons and performed miracles, was crucified and risen. It is in the surrounding sanctified waters that Christ was baptized, walked on the sea, and healed the paralytic. It is from here that Christianity spread like fire throughout the world. And it is here that your revered predecessor, Apostle Iacovos, the brother of our Lord, presided over the first Church Council at which gathered the Holy Apostles and Disciples of our risen Savior Jesus Christ.

As you know, Your Beatitude, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America are the devoted lay servants and committed defenders of the Sacred See of Saint Andrew, the first called of the Apostles. Yet, we all hold in the highest esteem the maternal source and spiritual birthplace of the Christian Church, which was established on the day of Pentecost with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Christ’s disciples.

It is truly a blessing and inspiration for us to be here during this Paschal Season. We will be able to chant Christ is Risen before the empty tomb of our Lord. We will be here, on the divine day of the Ascension of our Lord, as it is says in the Creed, when He ”ascended into heaven to sitat the right hand of the Father”. What we will experience in the coming days will remain in our minds and in our hearts for the rest of our lives. It can never be adequately described with words; it can only fittingly be honored with silence.

We thank you for your hospitality, Your Beatitude and for the honor you’ve given us by being our most distinguished guest this evening. We also assure you of our love and support in your sacred of history.

Thank you.

Archon Christopher Pappas,

appointed Regional Commander of

South Central United States