The Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Saint Anna’s conception on Tuesday, the 22nd of December 2020.
On this feast, the Church commemorates that the noble couple Joachim and Anna, being childless, entreated God to give them a child, and God granted their request, by giving them, Mary. Keeping their promise to God, they offered Mary to the Temple of Solomon at her third year of age, and our Lord Jesus Christ was born from her, through the Holy Spirit.
This event was celebrated by the Patriarchate at Joachim and Anna’s house, next to the Sheep’s pool, before Saint Stephen’s Gate, inside the wall of Jerusalem.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew, and the chanting was delivered by Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis.
H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos came at the end of the Liturgy, accompanied by Hagiotaphite Fathers, to venerate the Church and hold the Service of the Blessing of Water for the inauguration of the new floor tiles in the Church. The Hegumen Archimandrite Meletios has completed the new renovations with the donation of a pious pilgrim.
Archimandrite Meletios offered a reception to the Patriarchal Entourage and the congregation after the Service.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
