The Feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Monday, the 24th of June / 7th of July 2025, the Feast of the Nativity of the Honourable Forerunner and Baptist John was celebrated at the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Forerunner in Ein Karem, his birthplace, which belongs to the Patriarchate. The celebration was marked by Great Vespers on the eve and the Divine Liturgy in the morning, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Ptolemais. Concelebrating with him were Archimandrite Amphilochios, Russian-speaking priests Fr Nikolaos, Fr Vladimir and Fr Sergios from the Church of Ukraine, and Hierodeacon Prodromos.
The chanting was delivered by Hieromonk Dositheos and nuns of the Patriarchate. The congregation consisted of Greek-speaking and Russian-speaking faithful and nuns of the Patriarchate, and the Consul of the Hellenic Consulate, Mr Petros Anagnostaras, was also present.
Following the Dismissal, the diligent Overseer Monk Chariton received and hosted the attendees.
The feast was likewise celebrated at the nearby Russian women’s Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Forerunner. Presiding was His Eminence Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, concelebrated by Archimandrite Vassianos and other priests of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (MISSIA). Russian-speaking faithful attended the service, and the chanting was delivered by the choir of the nuns of the Monastery.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, visited the aforementioned Monasteries for veneration, accompanied by the Elder Chief Secretary, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios. His Beatitude attended the meal of hospitality offered at the Russian Monastery by the Abbess, Nun Aikaterini.
This news was originally published on the website of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.