On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of the Ascension, commemorating the glorious ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven forty days after His Resurrection, as witnessed by His disciples on the Mount of Olives. This event is described in the Gospels and the book of Acts (Acts 1,1-11).
The celebration took place with a Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastic and Patriarchal Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, led by His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos.
The feast was also observed solemnly at the Mount of Olives, the actual site of the Ascension.
Vespers were held on Wednesday afternoon under the guidance of Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia.
A litany procession followed to the pilgrimage site of the Men of Galilee, the former residence of the blessed Patriarch Benedictus. His Beatitude, accompanied by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine, blessed the Episcopal Entourage after a reading from the Gospel of Matthew.
The litany then returned to the Pilgrimage site for the reading of the Small Compline and the chanting of the Canon of the Ascension.
The following morning, a Divine Liturgy was conducted at the same location, presided over by Archbishop Theodosios and concelebrated by Fathers from the Holy Sepulchre, including Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios. The service was attended by local believers, pilgrims, and Greek Consul Mrs. Anna Mantika.
During the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Theophilos and members of the Holy Synod visited the Holy Shrine for veneration.
Afterward, the Patriarch visited the nearby Mosque and the Monastery of the Ascension, overseen by monk Achillios. He also inspected the progress at the newly constructed Holy Church of Pantocrator.
Patriarch Theophilos then visited the Church of the Ascension of the Russians of the Diaspora (ROCOR), where he was welcomed by Hegoumen Archimandrite Romanos and blessed the congregation.
Lastly, Patriarch Theophilos visited the Monastery of the Men of Galilee, where he was greeted by Sister Danielia, who manages the Monastery.
From the General Secretariat