HIS BEATITUDE THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM ADDRESSES THE MEETING OF ROMAN CATOLICS AND EVANGELISTS AT THE “AUGUSTA VICTORIA”

On the evening of Friday, the 8th/21st of October 2016, one of the meetings of the joint visit of Roman Catholic and Evangelist church officials to the Holy Land took place on the site of the historical hospital of the Lutheran Church in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Lutheran Reformation.

Invited to attend the meeting were the leaders and representatives of Churches in the Holy Land. The invitations were sent by Propst Wolfgang Schmidt of the Lutheran Church in Jerusalem.

At the meeting, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed attendants in English, see link: http://www/jp-newsgate/en/2016/10/21/27030

From the Secretariat-General

EYDAP REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATE IN RESTORATION WORKS ON THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

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

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

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

From the Secretariat-General httpv://youtu.be/ALKJRtI7KWI THE LATIN PATRIARCH IN JERUSALEM VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Thursday, the 7th/20th of October 2016, the recently- appointed Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem (former Custos of the Holy Land), the Very Reverend Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visited the Patriarchate for the first time.

The new Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

During the visit, Father Pierbattista extended thanks to His Beatitude for having sent Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon, the Patriarchate’s representative in Constantinople, to represent Him at his recent ordination as Bishop in Bergamo, Italy. He also thanked Patriarch Theophilos for honouring him by His presence during his inauguration at the Latin Patriarchate, and for everything He offers to Christians in the Holy Land.

In His reply, His Beatitude expressed satisfaction over His harmonious collaboration with the Very Reverend Father Pierbattista in the course of his diaconate at the Roman Catholic Church as Custos of the Holy Land for three consecutive tenures. Patriarch Theophilos said He was content for the continuation of this collaboration that can heal the wounds of the past and resolve the problems facing Christians as a result of this century’s situations.

On the occasion of the visit, His Beatitude offered the Latin Patriarch a pectoral and a table cross.

From the Secretariat-General httpv://youtu.be/dlOFAxgzP1E

ROMAN CATHOLIC AND LUTHERAN OFFICIALS VISIT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Wednesday, the 6th/19th of October 2016, Roman Catholic officials from the Synnod of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Reinhard Marxh, and from the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Bishop Heinrich Betford-Strohm, whilst on a visit to the Holy Land in search of Christianity’s roots, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, visited the Patriarchate. Their aim, they said, was unity to the extent possible.

The officials were welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers. His Beatitude talked of the significance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, especially Christianity, being the city were Christ was Crucified and Resurrected; He also spoke of the importance of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, as witness of Christian truth on the very site of its revelation. Finally, He referred to the significance of the ongoing restoration works on the Holy Aedicula.

During the visit, the Bishops offered Patriarch Theophilos a fourpartite cross, symbol of their celebrated anniversary. His Beatitude offered an icon of Theotokos Jerusalemite and of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre of the Resurrected Christ. From the Secretariat-General httpv://youtu.be/xr8e8cGNaKk

THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY SPONSORS THE RESTORATION OF THE HOLY AEDICULA

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

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

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

From the Secretariat-General

THE FEAST OF ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN IN DOHA, QATAR

In an ambiance of piety and glory, the feast of St Isaac the Syrian, who had led an ascetic’s life in Qatar, was celebrated at Doha Cathedral.

On the afternoon of Thursday, the 30th of September/13th of October 2016, Great Panegyric Vespers was performed with a breaking of bread, whilst cantors invited from Greece sang both inside the Church and in the forecourt, accompanied by traditional instruments, for the enjoyment and support of the flock. The service and event were honoured by the presence of representatives of the Greek, Cypriot and Serbian Embassy in Qatar.

Matins was performed in the morning, followed by Prelatic Divine Liturgy, led by Archbishop Makarios of Qatar. Attending the service was a great crowd of faithful, demonstrating their respect and devoutness of their patron saint and mediator to the Lord.

The divine Liturgy was followed by procession from the Church to the Archbishopric’s facilities, where guests were hosted to a reception. From the Holy Archbishopric of Qatar

MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE AEDICULA OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

On Monday, the 27th of September/10th of October 2016, the members of the Steering Committee on the conservation and restoration project of the Holy Sepulchre met at the Patriarchate.

The Committee is made up of His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem; the Custos of the Holy Land, f. Francesco Paton, and the Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, with his attendants.

At the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos informed His two partners in the project, Franciscans and Armenians, on the financial and administrative transparency of the project, acknowledged by all.

His Beatitude went on to set out a number of requirements for the future, namely: a) the creation of an opening on the rock of the Holy Sepulchre for its own protection by means of suitable materials, b) the opening of a door offering a view into the Sepulchre’s interior, c) repairs on the underground sewerage system without compromising the Holy Sepulchre and the Aedicula.

The other two Communities agreed on the points raised by His Beatitude and approved the proposal to prioritise the study on the repairs of the sewerage system.

From the Secretariat-General httpv://youtu.be/I1onSKpM3qg

THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM’S RADIO STATION CAN NOW BE HEARD THROUGH MOBILE PHONES

The Patriarchate’s Website Administration would like to announce that you can now listen to the Radio Station of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on mobile phones and devices.

From the Website Administration of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

THE FEAST OF ST THEKLA THE PROTOMARTYR AT THE PATRIARCHATE (2016)

On Friday the 24th of September/7th of October 2016, the feast of St Thekla the Protomarty and Equal to the Apostles was celebrated by the Patriarchate at the chapel dedicated to her name, to the west of the monastic Church of Sts Constantine and Helen.

The Church honours St Thekla, who hailed from Ikonion, Asia Minor, and was taught the faith in Christ by Paul, the Apostle of the Nations. Having preached Christ and suffering for Him, St Thekla is commemorated as a protomartyr and equal to the apostles. She passed away in her homeland at the age of ninety.

Vespers was held in the evening, followed by divine Liturgy on the morning, led by His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. In attendance were Hagiotaphite Fathers and Prelates. Archimandrite Nektarios officiated, having as co- officiants other Hagiotaphites. Archimandrite Eusebius sang for monks, nuns and local faithful from the Greek Parish.

Kollyva and rusks were distributed after Vespers in the open- air area outside the chapel. Reception followed after the divine Liturgy at the Church Board’s Hall.

From the Secretariat-General httpv://youtu.be/OsSOaFPSV1w httpv://youtu.be/j83fA1u07U0 SECOND PRESENTATION OF THE AEDICULA OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE RESTORATION PROJECT

On the morning of Friday, the 24th of September/7th of October 2016, after the divine Liturgy in commemoration of St Thekla the Protomartyr, the presentation of ongoing works on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre took place at the Patriarchate’s Hall of the Throne. The on-screen presentation was made by the project coordinator, Professor Antonia Moropoulou.

In attendance were the members of the project’s Steering Committee, namely His Beatitude Theophilos of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; the Custos in the Holy Land, f. Francesco Patton, accompanied by Father Dobromir and f. David; the representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, Archbishop Sevane Garibian, and the Armenian hegumen of the Church of the Resurrection, f. Samuel Aroyan; Metropolitan Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Visentsky; the Chairman of the Palestinian Autonomy’s Committee on Christian Affairs, Mr Hana Amire; representatives of National Geographic, the Architect of the Church of the Resurrection, Mr Theodosios Mitropoulos, and the National Technical University of Athens’ contributors to the project.

The presentation can be viewed in detail on the relevant video. Special reference was made to the rock of the Holy Sepulchre wherein the immaculate Body of Jesus Christ was placed, the Aedicula’s construction materials and methods applied by its architect, Kalfas Comnenus of Mytiline, as well as on current methods of removing spoilt materials and replacing them with suitable solidification materials. Ms Moropolou underlined that the Holy Aedicula is not an isolated, autonomous building in the Church of the Resurrection, but is inextricably linked to the surrounding Rotunda through the underground which must be restored in the near future, in particular its subterranean canal system, so as to impede the emission of moisture which damages the Aedicula.

In summarizing, Ms Moropoulou pointed out that the aim of the project is to reveal the structural values of the Holy Aedicula and perform works in a way that will safeguard its integrity as a Pan-Christian and global monument.

Professor Moropoulos then referred to the remaining works required for the completion of the project, i.e. removal of damaged stones and replacement with suitable ones, as well as the opening of a window on the Holy Rock. In doing so, Mr Moropoulos appealed once again to the leaders of the religious Communities to create the right circumstances for the continuation of the project by means of underground injections, aimed at completing the restoration before the Catholic Easter, namely the 6th of March 2017.

Of the greatest importance, Mr Moropoulos concluded, was to deal with the emerging moisture which, if left unchecked, would soon create the same problems. The continuation of these works can only occur by collecting the required funds on behalf of religious Communities and pious donors.

From the Secretariat-General

Presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lmzzpxle7s4tew8/04_2nd_scientific_pr ogress_report-Presentation_Moropoulou.pdf?dl=0 httpv://youtu.be/I1onSKpM3qg