THE FEAST OF ST PHILOUMEN THE HAGIOTAPHITE

On Saturday, the 16^th/29^th of November 2014, the Jerusalem Patriarchate celebrated the memory of holy-martyr St Philoumen the Hagiotaphite at Jacob’s Well in Nablus, Samaria, where he served as abbot until his martyric death in 1979.

Jacob’s Well was where Our Lord Jesus Christ conversed with the Samaritan woman and revealed Himself as Christ, guiding her from the depths of ignorance and sin to the path of knowledge and sanctity. There, the current Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin, built a magnificent church in the name of St Photini of Samaria, as well as a chapel dedicated to St Philoumen and St Justin the philosopher and martyr. The latter hailed from Nablus and suffered a martyr’s death circa 160 AD.

Patriarch Theophilos led the divine Liturgy at the Church of St Photini. Co-officiating were His Eminence Aristarchos, Archbishop of Constantina; the Abbot, Archimandrite f. Justin; Abbots Leontios of Rafidia, Chrysostomos of Kana, and Ananios of St George, Beit-Jalla; Hieromonk Martyrios, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and Arab-speaking presbyters from the region of Samaria. Also in attendance were Archdeacon Evlogios and deacon Markos. Monk Daniel of the Monastery of Hozeva chanted in Greek, and the Choir of Rafidia and the Community of Zababdeh chanted in Arabic. Pious pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Romania and Ukraine, and Arab-speaking faithful from Jerusalem, mostly from the towns of Rafidia, Zababdeh, Tubas and Burkin, participated in piety.

His Beatitude preached the Word of God in Greek. In Arabic, His homily may be reached here: http://www.jp-newsgate.net/ar/2014/11/29/8285

Several among the faithful proceeded to receive Holy Communion. Liturgy was followed by a reception at the Abbot’s quarters and, later on, lunch for the Patriarchal retinue and a great crowd. During lunch, Law student Mr Halil Yannam, a Rum Orthodox of Zababdeh, addressed His Beatitude.

From the Secretariat-General

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