THE FEAST OF ST. NIKOLAOS AT THE JERUSALEM PATRIARCHATE
The Jerusalem Patriarchate – 25/12/17
The commemoration of our Father among the Saints Nikolaos Bishop of Lycea was celebrated by the Patriarchate on Tuesday December 6/19, 2017. St. Nikolaos was a defender of the doctrine regarding the “same nature” of the Son with the Father in the 1st Ecumenical Synod in Nice in 325 A.D., he is a wonder worker and protector of the orphans, widows, prisoners every man in need.
- At his chapel in the H. Monastery of St. Savvas
This was the first Church founded by St. Savvas, when he founded his Monastery. The Church was formed inside a natural rock, that is why the Saint named it “God-built”. The memory of St. Nikolaos was celebrated there with the Divine Liturgy led by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, with co-celebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks, Priests and Deacons. After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy there was the memorial service of the deposed fathers of the Monastery at the courtyard of St. Savvas’ tomb, which is the roof of the cemetery of the Monastery.
The officiating Metropolitan joined the meal of the Monastery and returned in Jerusalem via the Monastery of St. Theodosios the Cenobiarch.
- At the Community of Beit Jalla
The Greek-Orthodox Arab-speaking Community celebrated the memory of its patron Saint at the massive and marvellous Church of St. Nikolaos which is approximately two hundred years old. Vespers in the evening and the Divine Liturgy in the morning were led by the Hegoumen Hagiotaphite Archimandrite Narkissos, with co-celebrants the ministering Priests of St. George’s Church, Fr. Paul and Fr. Joseph, at the singing of the Church choir and the presence of a full congregation who came to pray in contrition to the Saint.
After the Divine Liturgy the Community offered a meal and other festivities with the Scouts and other members of the Charity organization of the town.
3.At his Holy Monastery in Jerusalem
This old Monastery is located on the west side of the Patriarchate. At the H. Church dedicated to St. Nikolaos, Vespers in the evening and the Divine Liturgy in the morning were led by the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda, with co-celebrants Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Deacons. The Hegoumen of the Monastery and Choir Leader of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection Archimandrite Aristovoulos led the choir of nuns of the Patriarchate, at the attendance of a noble congregation of monks, nuns and laity citizens of the Old City of Jerusalem and others from Greece, Palestine, Russia and Romania.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen and renovator of the Holy Church of the Monastery offered a reception to His Eminence and the congregation at the Hegoumeneion and the courtyard.
From Secretariat-General
