Feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrated in Jerusalem

On January 19, 2021, the feast of the Holy Theophany – the Baptism of the Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, led the solemn divine services at the Church of the Lord’s Sepulcher.

Traditionally on this day, water is blessed in the Catholicon prior to the Divine Liturgy. Then at the Kouvoulion His Beatitude, assisted by the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem and clergy of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher, led the celebration of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

After the dismissal, Patriarch Theophilos, accompanied by the clergy, proceeded to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem where he personally congratulated his concelebrants upon the feast. With the blessing of the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov), taking part in the celebrations was the treasurer of the Mission, Hieromonk Afanasy (Bukin).

On the same day, festive celebrations took place at the Mission’s church of the Great Martyr Empress Alexandra. They were led by Archimandrite Alexander (Yelisov).

Assisted by the Mission members Hegumen Nikon (Golovko), Hieromonk Dometian (Markaryan) and Deacon Iliya Drachuk, the Mission head led the community in celebrating the Divine Liturgy. After it, the clergy sang the festive praise at the icon of the Theophany. Then parishioners partook of the Holy Gifts blessed at the Divine Liturgy and were given the holy water blessed prior to the Divine Liturgy.

 

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