The Feast of the Holy Monastery of Hozeva
On Wednesday, the 8th/21st of January 2015, two days after the Epiphany, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Monastery of Hozeva to commemorate its proprietors, Sts John and George the Hozevites.
The two hosioi had played a significant role in the history of the Monastery: in the 5th c. AD, St John arrived here from his bishopric in Caesarea, Palestine, whereas St George came from Cyprus in the 7th c. AD to restore the Monastery after the damage it sustained because of the Persian invasion in 614 AD.
His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived at the Monastery from Jerusalem, and was welcomed by the Hegoumen, Archimandrite Constantinos.
The Patriarch went on to lead the Matins and the divine Liturgy. Co-officiating with Him was Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Constantinos, Hagiosabbite Hieromonk f. Euprosynos, Arab-speaking presbyters and priests visiting from the Patriarchate of Romania, Archdeacon Evlogios and other deacons. The Hieromonk of the Monastery of Giromerio and Monk Joseph of Mount Athos sang in Greek, with Archimandrite Philotheoss of Accra singing in Arabic, in the presence of local Christians and pilgrims from Greece, Russia and Romania.
During mass, the Patriarch preached the Word of God in Greek.
On the conclusion of the divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen, f. Constantinos, hosted guests to lunch.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
