The feast of St. Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem
On Thursday, the 18th/31st of December 2015, the Patriarchate observed the memory of Archbishop Modestos of Jerusalem at the chapel dedicated to him, in the region of the southern New City of Jerusalem, known as Abu-Tor, separated from the hill of St Zion by the Gehenom valley.
It is a well-known fact that St Modestos, hailing from the Monastery of Abba Theodosius the Cenobiarch, was called to the rank of Patriarch in the period after the Persian invasion of 614 AD, and was indeed distinguished as a conservator of monuments, churches and monasteries, and a consoler of devastated souls and protector of animals.
At the aforementioned chapel, the Most Reverend Joachim, Metropolitan of Zambia, led the Vespers, whilst His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of Lydda and Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, officiated on the morning of the feast. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Makarios, Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen in Fhes, and Hierodeacon Markos. Archimandrite Eusebius and nuns sang for concelebrating monks, nuns and pilgrims from Jerusalem.
During the divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived at the chapel to venerate.
His Beatitude and the congregants were hosted to a reception by the Monastery’s supervisor, monk Antiochos.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
