The Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the memory of Saint Gerasimus of the Jordan on Monday, March 17th, 2025, at the Monastery dedicated to him in the valley of the Jordan, on its western bank near Jericho.
Saint Gerasimus arrived in the Holy Land from Lycia in Asia Minor around the middle of the 5th century and lived in various monasteries in Palestine before establishing the Lavra of Kalames in the Jordan wilderness. He followed the Orthodox faith as defined by the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon, which professes the two natures in the one Person of Christ.
Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda led the Vespers service in the evening, and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on the feast day. They were joined by other clergy members, priests, deacons, and students, as well as local worshipers and pilgrims.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem delivered the following message to the congregation:
“Rejoice, O divine offspring of Lycia, Rejoice, O illustrious dweller of the Jordan, Rejoice, O divine ornament of Palestine, Rejoice, O most perfect imitator of the Holy Forerunner, Rejoice, Father Gerasimus,” as sung by the hymnographer of the Church.
Beloved in Christ,
Pious Christians and pilgrims,
We gather in the Holy Monastery of Father Gerasimus by the Jordan River to commemorate his memory joyfully during Lent, before Pascha, guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Father Gerasimus lived a life of piety and asceticism, seeking the monastic life from his early youth. He visited the Holy Land, met other desert fathers, and eventually founded the Lavra in the Jordanian wilderness, where he guided many disciples in the Orthodox faith.
His life exemplified the godly virtues preached by the Apostle Paul, striving for godliness in Christ Jesus amidst tribulations and temptations. Father Gerasimus served as a model of piety, reaching the height of spiritual contemplation and revealing the divine mysteries of Christ.
The God-bearer Gerasimus is honoured and praised for his strength in Christ and his ability to work miracles. He guides people towards holy living and illuminates those in darkness, leading them to the light of the incorporeal Angels. The Saints, like Gerasimus, show us the way to faith and truth, leading us to godliness. Through fasting and self-control, we follow the example of Jesus Christ and the ascetic life of holy figures like John the Baptist and Gerasimus. By keeping the commandments of God and seeking the intercessions of the Saints, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Resurrection. After the Divine Liturgy, a procession and festive fasting banquet are held to celebrate the occasion. The images provided showcase the joy and reverence of the event.
Source link