The Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the memory of the deposition of the holy relic of Saint George the Trophy Bearer to the Holy Land on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
A great solemn Liturgy was officiated by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with co-celebrants Archbishops Damascene of Yaffo and Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Alexios, Priests from various areas of the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate, and the Head of the Russian MISSIA, Archimandrite Vassianos. The congregation and Scouts warmly welcomed His Beatitude, who gave a sermon before the Holy Communion.
In his sermon, the Patriarch reflected on the martyrdom of Saint George, praising his fearless preaching of truth and his unwavering faith in Christ. He emphasized the importance of embracing the truth and following Christ, even in the face of persecution and adversity.
Through his martyrdom, Saint George became an imitator of Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. The Patriarch urged the congregation to not be ashamed of their faith and to be willing to endure afflictions for the gospel, as Christ did for them.
Just as Christ sealed the New Testament with his blood, establishing the Church as his body, so too are believers called to offer their own testimony of blood for the salvation of mankind. The Church, purchased with Christ’s own blood, continues to bear witness to the truth and love of God, drawing all men unto Him.
The words of Jesus in John 15:20, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you,” remind us of the calling of the Church, which the holy martyrs embraced, including the great martyr George the trophy bearer, whose relic deposition we commemorate today. As we pray to him, the Theotokos, and Ever-Virgin Mary for world peace, especially in regions affected by war, we ask for Christ’s mercy on our souls. Amen. The Liturgy was followed by a reception attended by the Ambassador of Greece to Israel and other diplomatic representatives. The feast of Saint George was celebrated in various monasteries and churches, including in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Images from the celebrations can be viewed above.
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