On January 8, 2024, the head of the Russian Theological Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), the staff of the Mission, Hegumen Nikon (Golovko) and Deacon Makary Petukhov, as well as the Mother Superior of the Gorno Nunnery in Ein Karem, Hegumen Catherine (Chernysheva) and her sisters took part in the traditional reception, which is held annually in honor of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Great Throne Room of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the reception, according to the press service of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Earlier in the day, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev) visited the Church of the Equal Apostles Constantine and Helen, where he prayed the Divine Liturgy together with His Beatitude Patriarch.
The reception was attended by the hierarchs of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, the clergy of the Holy Sepulchre and representatives of the community of Greek-speaking and Arabic-speaking Christians of Jerusalem.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos and the guests of the reception were welcomed by a choir of graduates of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, who sang Christmas carols and hymns.
The Head of the Russian Theological Mission presented His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos with congratulatory addresses from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.
Addressing His Archimandrite Vassian, on behalf of the clergy of the Russian Spiritual Mission, the abbess and nuns of the Gorno Nunnery, congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
In his welcoming remarks he noted that God became man and was born in the cave of Bethlehem as a simple, humble man. The eternal God became man so that man could become an heir to eternal life in the kingdom of God the Father - a great gift of divine love. "We are going through difficult times, when we all need love and harmony to overcome enmity between peoples and bring peace and tranquility back to our hearts and homes," Archimandrite Vassian said.
The Head of the Mission wished His Beatitude God's gracious help in His High Priestly ministry for the good of the Orthodox Church, and also wished peace in the Holy Land, that in the churches and monasteries the angelic praise to God would be sung and the clergy and laity of the Jerusalem Patriarchate would be able to carry out their ministry in peace in this gracious land.
In response, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus congratulated Archimandrite Vassian on the feast and, quoting St. John Chrysostom, said that for us Christmas is the mother of Christian feasts and Church celebrations. He also recalled the words of St. Athanasius the Great that, that the Word of God became incarnate so that man might become a god by grace, and therefore the Incarnation of God is indeed a great gift of God.
Patriarch Theophilos noted that Christians in the Holy Land are witnesses of the Incarnation of God and not only celebrate it, but also continue to spread the message of the coming of the Savior into the world through their service. His Beatitude reminded that throughout the centuries the Church of Christ has been beset by anxieties, among which today are the attacks of globalists and the forces of darkness, but our hope has always been and remains Christ, our weapon is prayer and trust in Him, and therefore we should not lose hope. His Beatitude emphasized the importance of the unity of the Church. He emphasized that the Church is one, and he believes that the time will come when peace will be restored.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos asked that congratulations on the Feast of the Nativity be conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, as well as holiday greetings and wishes for God's help to the President of the Russian Federation, V.V. Putin, who is assisting in the work of the Church. Putin, who assists in preserving the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Archimandrite Vassian also introduced Patriarch Theophilos to the Mission's new clergyman, Priest Victor Klinshov, who arrived with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in the Holy Land of the Russian Federation. Holy Land to carry out pastoral labors in the Gornensky convent.
The Mission staff then presented His Beatitude with Christmas gifts.
OVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
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