THE FEAST OF THE PROPHET ELISHA AT THE JERUSALEM PATRIARCHATE

The Jerusalem Patriarchate – July 2016

On Monday, the 14th/27th of June 2016, the Patriarchate observed the memory of the Prophet Elisha at the Monastery dedicated to his name in Jericho, near the sycamore tree where Zacchaeus the tax collector had climbed to see the Lord “because he was short”.

The church of the Monastery is dedicated to the prophet Elisha, a disciple of the Prophet Elias. In this region the prophet Elisha had performed miracles, i.e. turning the bitter waters of the spring in Jericho to sweet and potable for the benefit of the residents of Jericho to this day.

Vespers was held in the evening and divine Liturgy on the morning of feast-day, led by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, who had as concelebrants Archimandrite Ignatios and Hierodeacons Markos and Anastasios. The head cantor of the Church of the Resurrection, Archimandrite Aristovoulos, sang for members of the Arabic-speaking flock of Jericho, and nuns.

Before the end of the divine Liturgy, the prayer of the grapes was recited. On the conclusion of the service, the hegumen, Archimandrite Philoumenos, courteously hosted the Prelatic Entourage and the faithful to reception at the hegumeneion, followed by lunch.

From the Secretariat-General

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