Pastoral visit of The Patriarch of Jerusalem to Jordan
A. Visit to Fhes
On Friday the 28th of November/11th of December 2015, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, crossed the Jordan River bridge near the site of the Baptismal of the Lord and arrived at the town of Fhes, a suburb of Amman, Jordan. He was accompanied by the Elder Secretary-General, Archbishop Aristarchos; the Patriarchate’s liaison with Arabic-speaking Media, f. Isla Musleh; and Archdeacon Evlogios.
There, on the conclusion of the d. Liturgy, the Patriarch officiated at the forty-day memorial for the late Elias Sues, dedicated servant of the Greek-Orthodox Community. Co-officiating were Archimandrite Ieronymos, hegoumen of the Community, and the Community’s vicars. Relatives of the departed priest attended the ceremony.
In honour of Elias Sues, the Patriarch addressed the faithful in Arabic, see link:
http://www.jp-newsgate.net/ar/2015/12/11/16843
After distributing the antidoron, Patriarch Theophilos offered His condolences to the late priest’s family.
B. Visit to Marka
On the afternoon of the same day, His Beatitude visited Marka quarter in Amman, particularly St Nicholas Church, to offer His moral support after the recent incident of arson against the church’s bema. The church was built on land offered by the Jordan Government, by means of financial aid provided by the Patriarchate on the supervision of presbyter f. Issa Ayas.
C. Meeting with Advisory Committee
On the evening of the same day, His Beatitude and attendants met at the Bishopric in Amman with representatives of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Patriarch. The representatives presented issues of interest to the flock in Amman i.e. the inauguration of churches in Jordan, the event organized by UCLAN Cyprus for the benefit of Syrian refugees, financial aid for St Nicholas, Marka, the establishment of a student fund, the foundation of a school in Salt and other towns of Jordan, as well as the upcoming plenary meeting of the Advisory Committee.
