On the day following the Feast of the Nativity, 26 December 2025 / 6 January 2026, the Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos was celebrated at the Patriarchal and Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, in honour of the Most Holy Theotokos, who ministered uniquely to the mystery of the Incarnation, the taking of human nature, and the manifestation upon earth of the Son and Word of God, the Creator and her Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
The festal celebration was overseen by His Beatitude, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos, with the Divine Liturgy served by the ministering priest of the Holy Church, Archimandrite Amphilochios. Concelebrating in prayer were the Hierarchs and Holy Sepulchre Archimandrites, Priests, Hierodeacons, monks and nuns of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, together with representatives of the Patriarchates of Moscow and Romania. Present also was the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos. The chanting was led by the chief cantor of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Deacon Efstathios, assisted by Mr Aristeidis from Greece and by students of the Patriarchal School of Zion, with the participation of faithful Jerusalemites and pilgrims.
Upon the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude, together with the Hierarchs and Priests, proceeded to the Patriarchate Hall.
There, refreshments were offered, and His Beatitude extended to all his wishes for a blessed and peaceful Twelve Days.
From the Chief Secretariat
