On November 16, 2024, on the Feast of the Renovation of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Lydda, the head of the Russian Theological Mission in Jerusalem archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev) took part in a festive divine service in the church of the city of Lod (ancient Lydda), where the tomb of the great martyr is located. The service was led by Blessed Patriarch Theophilus of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine.
The service was presided over by His Beatitude Theophilos.
His Beatitude was served by the hierarchs of the Jerusalem Church — Archbishop Damascene of Joppa and Archbishop Aristarchus of Constantine, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), head of the Russian Theological Mission in Jerusalem, Deacon Makary Petukhov, a resident of the Mission, and Arabic-speaking clerics of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
A.D. Viktorov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Israel, was among the guests of honor at the service.
At the Divine Liturgy prayed: Archbishop Aristovul of Madaba (Jerusalem Patriarchate), believers from the Orthodox Greek and Arab communities of the Holy Land and numerous pilgrims. The service was conducted in Greek, Arabic and Church Slavonic, сообщает сайт РДМ.
After the service, the Council of the city's Orthodox community organized a reception, during which Russian Ambassador to Israel A.D. Viktorov delivered a speech recalling the historical role and patronizing activities of the Russian state in the Middle East.
After the service, the city's Orthodox Community Council organized a reception, during which Russian Ambassador to Israel A.D. Viktorov delivered a speech recalling the historical role and patronizing activities of the Russian state in the Middle East.
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Lod (as Lydda is called today) — a city in Israel 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv, founded in the XV century BC and repeatedly mentioned in the New Testament. The main attraction of this place — the tomb of the Great Martyr George the Victorious. The city is also famous for its mosaics, dating from around the beginning of the 3rd century, — one of the largest (180 m²) and best preserved of those found in the country.
In 1871, Patriarch Kirill II of Jerusalem asked the Russian Knights of the Order of St. George to donate to the restoration of the Church of the Great Martyr George. At the command of Emperor Alexander II from the funds of the Chapter of the Order was donated 3000 rubles. On the funds allocated by the Russian government and the Order, was erected a new church, consecrated November 3, 1872 year. In memory of this event on November 3 (16) the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Renovation of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Lydda. EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
