Ἀπό 24^ην Ἀπριλίου ἕως 2^αν Μαΐου 2021

Σάββατον τοῦ Λαζάρου:

Πατριαρχικός Ἑσπερινός: 3 μ.μ.

Κυριακή τῶν Βαΐων:

Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία: 8 π.μ.

Ἡ Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου: 6.15 μ.μ.

 Μεγάλη Δευτέρα:

Λειτ. Προηγιασμένων Δώρων ἐπί τοῦ Φρικτοῦ Γολγοθᾶ: 8.45 π.μ.

Ἡ Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου: 6.15 μ.μ.

Μεγάλη Τρίτη:

Λειτ. Προηγιασμένων Δώρων ἐπί τοῦ Φρικτοῦ Γολγοθᾶ: 9 π.μ.

Ἡ Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νυμφίου: 6.15 μ.μ.

Μεγάλη Τετάρτη

Λειτ. Προηγιασμένων Δώρων ἐπί τοῦ Φρικτοῦ Γολγοθᾶ: 9 π.μ.

Μεγάλη Πέμπτη

Ἡ Θ. Λειτουργία τοῦ Μ. Βασιλείου  ἐν τῷ  Καθεδρικῷ Ναῷ τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἰακώβου: 6.30 π.μ.

Ἡ τελετή τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Νιπτῆρος: 9  π.μ.

Ἡ Ἀκολουθία τῶν Παθῶν: 6.15 μ.μ.

 Μεγάλη Παρασκευή

Αἱ Βασιλικαί Ὧραι ἐπί τοῦ Φρικτοῦ Γολγοθᾶ: 10 π.μ.

Πατριαρχικός Ἑσπερινός: 3 μ.μ.

Ἡ Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Ἐπιταφίου: 9.10΄ μ.μ.

 Μέγα Σάββατον     

Ἡ τελετή τοῦ Ἁγίου Φωτός: 1 μ.μ.

Ἡ τελετή τῆς Ἀναστάσεως: 12 μεσάνυκτα

 Κυριακή τοῦ Πάσχα

Ἡ τελετή τῆς Δευτέρας Ἀναστάσεως: 1 μ.μ.

Ὁ Τελετάρχης τῶν Πατριαρχείων

Ἀρχιμανδρίτης Βαρθολομαῖος

Εἰς τό πλαίσιον τοῦ προγράμματος τῆς χώρας τῆς Οὑγγαρίας ὑπέρ τῆς βοηθείας τῶν Χριστιανῶν τῆς Μέσης Ἀνατολῆς, ἡ Κυβέρνησις αὐτῆς ἀνακοινώνει τήν πρόθεσίν της, νά χορηγήσῃ ὑποτροφίας διά τό ἀκαδημαϊκόν ἔτος 2021-2022 διά συστατηρίου Γράμματος τοῦ Πατριαρχείου Ἱεροσολύμων.

Οἱ ἐπιθυμοῦντες νά ὑποβάλλουν αἴτησιν, παρακαλοῦνται νά ὑποβάλλουν αὐτήν, συμφώνως πρός τάς ὁδηγίας τῆς ἐπισυναπτομένης ἀνακοινώσεως ἀποσταλείσης εἰς τό Πατριαρχεῖον καί εἰς τήν σχετικήν ἱστοσελίδα, ἐντός τῆς ὁριζομένης προθεσμίας πρό τῆς 31^ης Ἰανουαρίου 2021:

“To HE Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina

Your Eminence,

I have already approached you with a scholarship opportunity for Palestinian students in general in the framework of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme.

Hungary has continuously provided scholarships to talented Palestinian students since the 1970’s among them many Christians, who are playing important roles in the Palestinian society. For the last few years Hungary has been providing a special scholarship scheme for the talented Christian students as well. Why is it different from the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship:

• The scholarship is available for the Christian communities and churches in the Middle East.
• The students apply with the approval of their church leaders.
• The scholarship does not engage the local governments and authorities, the application process is happening between the students and the Government of Hungary directly.

I am pleased to inform you that the online application process for the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People for the 2021/2022 academic year started with the deadline of 31 January 2021. The online application system for the Scholarship Programme can be accessed at https://apply.scyp.hu. The Annexes of the Call for Applications along with other documents and detailed information necessary for applying can be found on the Programme’s website: https://hungaryhelps.gov.hu/scyp/

We are at your disposal to answer any questions you may have. May you have talented students in sight, I request your kind assistance in helping them in the application process.

Thank you in advance for all your efforts in this regard”. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Csaba Rada

Head of Mission

Representative Office of Hungary

Al Watania Towers Building, Al-Bireh, Ramallah

Tel: 00 972 2 240 7676

Fax: 00 972 2 240 7678

https://ramallah.mfa.gov.hu/eng

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

Τήν Τετάρτην, 25ην Ἰουνίου/ 8^ην Ἰουλίου 2020, ἡ Α.Θ.Μ. ὁ Πατήρ ἡμῶν καί Πατριάρχης Ἱεροσολύμων κ.κ. Θεόφιλος προέβη εἰς τήν κάτωθι δήλωσιν ὑπέρ διατηρήσεως τοῦ Καθεστῶτος τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τῆς Ἁγίας Σοφίας ἀγγλιστί:

Statement of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III

on the Status of the Hagia Sophia Shrine

It is with utmost seriousness that We express Our concern over recent calls from members of the Turkish government to alter the current status of the Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.

This magnificent Byzantine Church structure, which captivates the world until today, has a history stretching even farther back into Christendom than the 6^th century. Over the course of generations, the region and its people have passed through challenging times that have left painful memories. However, it has been to Turkey’s credit that for nearly 100 years it has administered the Hagia Sophia as a museum in order to maintain an extent of neutrality over the site. Subsequently, people from all over the world and from every background are able to enjoy its spiritual, architectural, and historical splendor.

Furthermore, museum status, i.e. indiscriminate accessibility, to Hagia Sophia has bore fruit where there otherwise could have been further contention. Hagia Sophia today remains a symbol of tolerance. Some may find spiritual refreshment within its boundaries, others may be inspired by its testament to human accomplishment, and others may view it through individual prisms of meaning. However, this array of outcomes does the best possible justice to the site, which without question was always intended to inspire awe and to glorify Almighty God.

As stewards of sacred heritage in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, for nearly 2,000 uninterrupted years, in a land over which three Abrahamic faiths lay equal claim, We strongly attest to the fact that accessibility promotes peace and mutual respect, whereas attitudes of exclusivity promote conflict and bitterness. We hope and pray, for the benefit of all people of good will, and for Turkey as a nation with the potential to influence our entire region down a path of growth and mutual co-existence, that the present status of the Hagia Sophia is respected and preserved.

THEOPHILOS III

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

Ἡ δήλωσις αὕτη ὑπογραμμίζει ἰδιαιτέρως ἑλληνιστί ὅτι “Ἡμεῖς ὡς ἐμπεπιστευμένοι κληρονομίαν ἐπί δύο χιλιάδας ἔτη ἀδιακόπτως εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ καί τήν Ἁγίαν Γῆν, εἰς τήν ὁποίαν αἱ τρεῖς Μονοθεϊστικαί θρησκεῖαι ἀνάγουν τήν ἀρχήν αὐτῶν εἰς τόν Πατριάρχην Ἀβραάμ καί ἔχουν ἴσας ἀξιώσεις, ἐπιμαρτυροῦμεν τό γεγονός ὅτι ἡ προσβασιμότης προάγει τήν εἰρήνην καί τόν ἀμοιβαῖον σεβασμόν, ἐν ᾧ ἡ ἀποκλειστικότης προάγει τήν ἔριδα καί τήν πικρίαν.

Προσευχόμεθα διά τό ὄφελος ὅλων τῶν ἀνθρώπων καλῆς θελήσεως καί διά τήν Τουρκίαν ὡς ἔθνος μέ τήν δυνατότητα νά ἐπηρεάσῃ ὁλόκληρον τήν περιφέρειαν ἡμῶν πρός τήν ὁδόν τῆς αὐξήσεως καί τῆς ἀμοιβαίας συνυπάρξεως διά τοῦ σεβασμοῦ καί τῆς διατηρήσεως τοῦ ἐπικρατοῦντος καθεστῶτος τῆς Ἁγίας Σοφίας.

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

Τήν Δευτέραν, 23^ην Ἰουνίου / 6^ην Ἰουλίου 2020, αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι  Ἱεροσολύμων ὑπό τήν αἰγίδα τοῦ Μακαριωτάτου Πατριάρχου Ἱεροσολύμων κ.κ. Θεοφίλου προέβησαν εἰς τήν κάτωθι ἀγγλιστί δήλωσιν διά τήν ἀπόδοσιν δικαιοσύνης καί ἐπιστροφήν τῶν ἐν τῇ Πύλῃ τοῦ Δαυΐδ ξενοδοχείων Imperial καί Petra εἰς τόν νόμιμον ἰδιοκτήτην αὐτῶν, Ἑλληνορθόδοξον Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων:

Joint Statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem

We, the Heads of the various Churches and Christian Communities in Jerusalem, stand united in our commitment to the Status Quo which governs the status of the Holy Sites and the protections of the Churches. This is recognised by all the religious and political authorities in this Holy Land, and has always been upheld by the governments of our region.

The case of Jaffa Gate threatens this Status Quo. We are concerned by the recent judgment of the District Court of Jerusalem, which dismissed evidence demonstrating the Greek Orthodox Church’s case, without even examining it. We strongly support the efforts of the Greek Orthodox Church to secure justice.

We view the attempts by radical groups to secure property at Jaffa Gate as a systematic attempt to undermine the integrity of the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, to obstruct the Christian pilgrim route and to weaken the Christian presence. They do not only affect the Greek Orthodox Church, whose properties are at the centre of the case. This case is just part of a concerted effort by a group opposed to the Christian presence in Jerusalem to increase tensions between communities, and to harm the harmonious diversity for which Jerusalem should be known.

We ask the Israeli government to act to secure the integrity of the Christian holy sites, the Christian heritage and patrimony, and the rights of the residents of the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem.

These are places to which over two billion Christians around the world look to as the geographical heart of their faith; they are places which millions of Christian pilgrims visit each year; and they are the places in which the Christians of this shared Holy Land live out their faith. We do not see this case as a mere property dispute, but one over the entrance, heart and continued function of the Christian Quarter as a place of living worship and pilgrimage.

Together with the Prophet Amos, we cry: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

Ὁ π. Νικόλαος Μάταρ, Προϊστάμενος τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ Γενεθλίου τῆς Θεοτόκου εἰς τήν πόλιν Corona τῆς πολιτείας  Καλιφορνίας τῶν Ἡνωμένων Πολιτειῶν Ἀμερικῆς, ἐξακολουθεῖ ψευδῶς νά ἰσχυρίζηται ὅτι ἐνεργεῖ ὑπό τήν εὐλογίαν καί καθοδήγησιν τοῦ Πατριαρχείου Ἱεροσολύμων παρά τά ἀναρτώμενα ἐνταῦθα, Ἀπολυτήριον Γράμμα, Release Letter, τό ὁποῖον ἐχορηγήθη αὐτῷ ἀπό τοῦ ἔτους 2018 καί ἀπεστάλη εἰς τήν κανονικήν Ἐκκλησιαστικήν αὐτοῦ Ἀρχήν, ἤτοι τόν Θεοφιλέστατον Ἐπίσκοπον Φασιανῆς κ. Ἀντώνιον εἰς Νέαν Ὑόρκην:

Ἀριθμ. Πρωτ.

       75

Τῷ Θεοφιλεστάτῳ

Ἐπισκόπῳ Φασιανῆς

Κ. Ἀντωνίῳ

Πρωτοσυγκελλεύοντι Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς

Εἰς Νέαν Ὑόρκην

Θεοφιλέστατε,

 Μετά πολλῆς ἀδελφικῆς ἀγάπης ἐκομισάμην τήν ὑπ’ Ἀριθμ. Πρωτ. 210/17 καί ἀπό 28^ης Νοεμβρίου 2017 ἐπιστολήν τῆς ὑμετέρας λίαν ἀγαπητῆς Θεοφιλίας, ἀναφορικῶς μέ τήν ὑπόθεσιν τοῦ ἐν Corona Καλιφορνίας πρεσβυτέρου Νικολάου Μάταρ καί τῆς Κοινότητος τοῦ Γενεθλίου τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, ἥτις ἠρνήθη νά ὑπαχθῇ εἰς τήν πνευματικήν ἐποπτείαν τοῦ Σεβασμιωτάτου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἀμερικῆς.

 Διαμελετήσαντες ὅθεν ταύτην εἰς τήν Συνεδρίαν τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς ἡμῶν Συνόδου, καθηκόντως φέρω εἰς γνῶσιν τῆς ὑμετέρας Θεοφιλίας, ὅτι τό ἡμέτερον Πατριαρχεῖον ἀπό τῆς ἱδρύσεως τοῦ ἐν Ἀμερικῇ Βικαριάτου καί ἐντεῦθεν οὐδεμίαν ὀργανικήν σχέσιν ἔχει μετά τοῦ ὡς ἄνω ἱερέως, ἐχορηγήσαμεν δέ εἰς αὐτόν Ἀπολυτήριον Γράμμα, καθότι οὗτος ἐτύγχανε κανονική χειροτονία τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Ἱεροσολύμων.

 Ἐφ’ οἷς, συναποστέλλων ἀντίγραφον τοῦ Ἀπολυτηρίου Γράμματος αὐτοῦ,  διαβιβάζω αὐτῇ τάς εὐχάς καί τήν ἀγάπην  τοῦ Μακαριωτάτου καί ἀποδίδων αὐτῇ τόν ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀσπασμόν ἀπό τοῦ Παναγίου καί Ζωοδόχου  Αὐτοῦ Τάφου, διατελῶ.

 Ἐν τῇ Ἁγίᾳ Πόλει Ἱερουσαλήμ ‚ϐιη΄ Φεβρουαρίου  θ΄.

Μετά τῆς ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγάπης, 

ΑΡΙΣΤΑΡΧΟΣ

Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντίνης

Γέρων Ἀρχιγραμματεύς

RELEASE LETTER

By this Patriarchal letter, We verify that the Reverend Father Nikolaos Matar, a priest of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, following a resolution of the Holy and Sacred Synod that was duly convened on 22 FEBRUARY 2018, has been canonically released from the roll of the clergy of the Patriarchate. This release was granted without prejudice or as a consequence of any ecclesiastical discipline, and Father Nikolaos Matar is free to be received into any canonical Orthodox jurisdiction without impediment.

In witness thereof, We have caused Our seal to be affixed to this Letter in the Holy City of Jerusalem, on the 19^th day of MARCH in the year of Our Lord 2018.

THEOPHILOS III

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

Τό Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων καταγγέλλει τήν ἐκμετάλλευσιν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ καί τῶν ἱστοσελίδων αὐτοῦ καί προσεπιδηλοῖ ὅτι οὐδεμίαν σχέσιν, συνεργασίαν ἤ ἐπικοινωνίαν ἔχει μετά τοῦ Πατρός Νικολάου Μάταρ πρός γνῶσιν καί ὠφέλειαν τοῦ Ὀρθοδόξου ποιμνίου ἐν Ἀμερικῇ καί ἀλλαχοῦ καί ὅτι ὑπ’ οὐδενός ἐκπροσωπεῖται εἰς τήν Ἀμερικήν .

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

Ἡ Ἁγιοταφιτική Ἀδελφότης ἀναγγέλλει μετά λύπης, οὐχ ἧττον λύπης Κυρίου, σαρκί Σταυρωθέντος καί ἐκ νεκρῶν Ἀναστάντος τήν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἐκδημίαν τοῦ μέλους αὐτῆς Ἀρχιμανδρίτου Μαρτυρίου Ντίκεϋ.

Ὁ Ἀρχιμανδρίτης Μαρτύριος, κατά κόσμον Μαρῖνος Ντίκεϋ, εἰδικευμένος ἄριστα εἰς τήν Πληροφορικήν, ἐνετάχθη εἰς τήν Ἀγιοταφιτικήν Ἀδελφότητα ὡς μοναχός τόν Σεπτέμβριον τοῦ ἔτους 2009 καί ἐχειροτονήθη διάκονος τόν Νοέμβριον τοῦ 2009, ἱερεύς δέ τό ἔτος 2014 καί ἔλαβε τό ὀφφίκιον τοῦ Ἀρχιμανδρίτου τό ἔτος 2019.

Ὑπηρέτησεν εὐσυνειδήτως εἰς τάς ἀνατεθείσας αὐτῷ διακονίας, ἤτοι εἰς τόν Ναόν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, τήν Ἀρχιγραμματείαν, τήν Πατριαρχικήν Σχολήν Σιών, τήν Οἰκονομικήν Ἐπιτροπήν, τήν εἰς Κύπρον Ἐξαρχίαν τοῦ Παναγίου Τάφου καί κατά τά τελευταῖα ἔτη εἰς τό προσκύνημα τῆς Μαδηβᾶς.

Τήν πρωΐαν τῆς Δευτέρας, 19^ης Μαΐου / 1^ης Ἰουνίου 2020, εὑρέθη νεκρός εἰς τό δωμάτιον αὐτοῦ ὑπό τοῦ ἡγουμένου τῆς Μονῆς Μαδηβᾶ Ἀρχιμανδρίτου Ραφαήλ καί μετηνέχθη εἰς νοσοκομεῖον τῆς πόλεως αὐτῆς, ἔνθα καί ἐπεβεβαιώθη ὁ θάνατος αὐτοῦ, ὡς προκληθείς ἐκ καρδιακοῦ ἐπεισοδίου.

Τήν πρωΐαν τῆς Τρίτης, 20^ῆς Μαΐου/ 2^ας Ιουνίου 2020, ἡ Α.Θ.Μ. ὁ Πατήρ ἡμῶν καί Πατριάρχης Ἱεροσολύμων κ.κ. Θεόφιλος ἐτέλεσε Τρισάγιον ὑπέρ ἀναπαύσεως τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ εἰς τόν μοναστηριακόν Ναόν τῶν Ἁγίων Κωνσταντίνου καί Ἑλένης.

Τήν μεσημβρίαν τῆς ἡμέρας αὐτῆς ἐψάλη ἡ νεκρώσιμος ἀκολουθία αὐτοῦ ἐν Μαδηβᾷ, προεξάρχοντος τοῦ Σεβασμιωτάτου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κυριακουπόλεως κ. Χριστοφόρου καί συμμετεχόντων τῶν Ἀρχιμανδριτῶν Ἰννοκεντίου καί Ἱερωνύμου  καί ἱερέων καί μελῶν τοῦ ποιμνίου τῆς Μαδηβᾶ.

Αἰωνία αὐτοῦ ἡ μνήμη.

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

Aἱ τρεῖς Μείζονες Κοινότητες, ἤτοι τό Ἑλληνορθόδοξον Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων, ἡ Κουστωδία τῆς Ἁγίας Γῆς τῶν Φραγκισκανῶν καί τό Πατριαρχεῖον τῶν Ἀρμενίων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, ἐξέδωσαν τήν κάτωθι Ἀνακοίνωσιν:

Following the situation development in the Holy Land, we the Heads of the Three Communities, custodians of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and Resurrection, wish to inform that starting on Sunday 24th this most Holy Place will be accessible again to the faithful for visits and prayers.

For safety reasons and in order to avoid the risk of a new spread of the COVID-19 infection, at the beginning the number will be limited (to 50 persons) and the Basilica will be accessible only to those who have no fever or symptoms of infection and are wearing suitable face coverings.

It will also be necessary to keep a minimal distance of 2 meters between each person and to avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, icons, vestments and the personnel in the Basilica; as well as abide always by the given instructions.

From this Holy Place, in this Easter time, we continue our prayers, asking for the end of this pandemic.

Τήν Πέμπτην, 13^ην / 26^ην Μαρτίου 2020, αἱ τρεῖς Μείζονες Κοινότητες, ἤτοι τό Ἑλληνορθόδοξον Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων, ἡ Κουστωδία τῆς Ἁγίας Γῆς τῶν Φραγκισκανῶν καί τό Πατριαρχεῖον τῶν Ἀρμενίων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, αἱ ἔχουσαι τήν εὐθύνην διά τό Προσκυνηματικόν Καθεστώς, ἐξέδωσαν τήν κάτωθι Ἀνακοίνωσιν, δηλοῦσαν ὅτι αἱ ἀκολουθίαι εἰς τον Πανίερον Ναόν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως θά συνεχίσουν νά τελῶνται συμφώνως πρός τό Τυπικόν καί Προσκυνηματικόν Καθεστώς ὑπό τῶν διακονητῶν ἑκάστης Κοινότητος, μέ μειωμένην συμμετοχήν πιστῶν πρός ἀποφυγήν τῶν συνεπειῶν τοῦ ἰοῦ COVID- 19:

Following the evolvement of the situation in the Holy Land, we the Heads of the Three Communities to whom the Providence granted the grace and honour of proclaiming the lodes of the Lord in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and Resurrection, wish to inform that the celebrations of the Communities, the Greek Orthodox, the Latin and the Armenian will continue regularly, even though for safety reasons and in order to avoid the risk of the diffusion of the COVID-19 infection, the number of participants in the celebrations will be limited to few persons and the Basilica will be accessible during the liturgies only.

We wish to assure that inside the Basilica, the prayers of the Three Communities will continue, rather intensify, asking the Heavenly Father the end of the pandemic, the recovery of the sick, the protection of the medical personnel, the wisdom for the Pastors and the Governors and the eternal salvation to those who lost their lives. We raise this prayer from the very place where, through the sacrifice of His own life on the Calvary and through His Resurrection from the Sepulchre on the third day, the only begotten and beloved Son Jesus Christ, defeated evil, sin and death.

Τήν Παρασκευήν, 7ην/20ήν Μαρτίου 2020, αἱ τρεῖς Μείζονες Κοινότητες, αἱ ἔχουσαι τήν προσκυνηματικήν εὐθύνην διά τά Πανάγια Προσκυνήματα, ἤτοι τό Ἑλληνορθόδοξον Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱερουσαλήμ, ἡ Κουστωδία τῆς Ἁγίας Γῆς τῶν Φραγκισκανῶν καί τό Πατριαρχεῖον τῶν Ἀρμενίων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα προέβησαν εἰς Δήλωσιν, διευκρινίζουσαν εἰς τούς πιστούς ὅτι ὁ Ναός τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, ἐν ᾧ ὁ Φρικτός Γολγοθᾶς καί ὁ Πανάγιος Τάφος θά παραμείνῃ ἀνοικτός διά τάς ἀκολουθίας συμφώνως πρός τό ἰσχῦον προσκυνηματικόν καθεστώς καί ὅτι δύνανται οὗτοι νά προσέρχονται διά προσευχήν συμμορφούμενοι πρός τάς ὁδηγίας τῶν Τοπικῶν Ἀρχῶν, προστατευουσῶν τήν ὑγιείαν αὐτῶν. Ἡ Δήλωσις αὕτη ἔχει ἀγγλιστί ὡς ἕπεται:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our world is currently experiencing a time of crisis and emergency, whereas many countries and nations are combatting the spread of COVID-19.  In many places around the globe, the infection is spreading rapidly and the victims are consistently increasing. The World Health Organization has declared the situation as a global pandemic. 

In front of this dangerous situation, governments worldwide mobilized to resist and restrain the spread of this virus. In many places severe measures were adopted which resulted in restrictions of movement of persons maintaining operative only crucial facilities. 

This dangerous situation has not passed over the Holy Land and the Holy City of Jerusalem in which all Sons of Abraham Jews, Christians and Muslims are raising their prayers to God Almighty. We are called to live this time in faith and confidence in the Lord’s mercy and His care for all His creatures. 

At the same time, we are called to adhere to the instructions of the competent civil authorities enacted to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire population. 

Therefore, we the Heads of the Churches in charge of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem urge everyone to abide fully by the provisions for the public health, as they are published from time to time. 

The communities living within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will continue the ordinary life of the Church in conformity with the instructions for the public health. We will be united spiritually in our aim to preserve the centuries’ long tradition of ongoing prayers in the Church even in these sad times when pilgrims cannot reach Jerusalem and local faithful are compelled to remain at their homes. 

Accordingly, while maintaining the Church open we urge the worshipers to: 

1. Refrain from any gatherings of more than 10 people in the same place and at the same time in the Basilica.
2. Keep a minimal distance of 2 meters between each person.
3. Avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, touching icons, vestments and the personnel in the Basilica. 
4. To abide always by the instructions of the authorities.

The Holy Sepulchre is the ultimate place of hope. Hope that faith will defeat doubt, light will defeat darkness and life will triumph over death. From this Holy Place and in this time of spiritual preparation for Easter and of global crisis we join our prayers to those of faithful of all religions, asking for the end of this pandemic. We pray for all those afflicted by the virus around the world and express our sympathy and gratitude to those who assist and take care of the victims.

 THEOPHILOS III              FRANCESCO PATTON              ARCH. NOURHAN MANOUGIAN                                                                                 

Greek Orthodox               Custos of the Holy Land                        Armenian Patriarch 

Patriarch                                                                                                                  of Jerusalem

of Jerusalem   

Πρό ἡμερῶν αἱ τρεῖς Μείζονες Κοινότητες, Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων, Κουστωδία τῆς Ἁγίας Γῆς καί Πατριαρχεῖον τῶν Ἀρμενίων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, πρός μείωσιν τῆς μεταδόσεως τοῦ ἰοῦ COVID-19 ἐξέδωσαν Ἀνακοίνωσιν ἀφορῶσαν εἰς τήν Βασιλικήν τῆς Γεννήσεως τῆς Βηθλεέμ, τήν χθές δέ, 1^ην /14^ην  Μαρτίου 2020, ὅλαι αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἱερουσαλήμ ὑπό τήν αἰγίδα τῆς Α.Θ.Μ. τοῦ Πατρός ἡμῶν καί Πατριάρχου Ἱεροσολύμων κ.κ. Θεοφίλου ἐξέδωσαν τήν κάτωθι Δήλωσιν ἀγγλιστί, προτρέπουσαν τά πληρώματα αὐτῶν, ὁπουδήποτε τῆς δικαιοδοσίας αὐτῶν, νά ἀκολουθοῦν τάς ὁδηγίας τῶν ἑκασταχοῦ Πολιτικῶν Ἀρχῶν καί νά αὐξάνουν εἰς ἔργα προσευχῆς, ἐλεημοσύνης καί ἀγάπης, εὐαρεστοῦντα τόν Θεόν.

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας

A STATEMENT OF THE PATRIARCHS AND HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM

CONCERNING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

March 14, 2020

Our planet earth, at this difficult and challenging time, suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected so many people and reaped thousands of lives. To face this health and life-threatening pandemic, it is essential for our people and communities to adhere by the provisions and instructions of the civil authorities within the countries we live.

At the same time, we, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, call upon Almighty God to look on our situation and be gracious to our suffering world. We are all called to live this time continuing to trust in our heavenly Father who takes care of all His creatures. It is therefore good that we intensify personal prayer, fasting and alms-giving and to walk in the light of God’s love.

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem

+ Greek Orthodox Patriarchate 

+ Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate

+ Apostolic Administrator, Latin Patriarchate 

+ Custody of the Holy Land 

+ Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem 

+ Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate 

+ Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate 

+ Greek-Melkite-Catholic Patriarchate 

+ Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate 

+ Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East 

+ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land 

+ Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate 

+ Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate