The Holy Synod was convened on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the headquarters of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, chaired by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The Patriarch discussed with the members of the Holy Synod several issues about the Patriarchate’s administrative, spiritual, and pastoral affairs, which serve the Patriarchate, its monasteries, shrines, churches, clergy, and people. They also discussed the events that accompanied the glorious feast of Resurrection, and in particular the events of Saturday of the Holy Light and the obstruction of the access of pilgrims and parishioners to the Church of the Resurrection, and the measures taken by the Patriarchate before the Israeli authorities in protest against the police’s actions that were unbecoming of the sanctity of this day, this place, and its visitors from all over the world; including believers, officials, and ambassadors. However, despite the existing obstacles, the Patriarchate continued its spiritual and pastoral duties, as per the status quo, in the Church of the Resurrection and the rest of the shrines and monasteries directly related to the events of salvation during the Holy Week, where prayers and liturgical services were held.
Patriarch Theophilos also informed the members of the Holy Synod of the letter received from Archbishop Ioannis, the new Archbishop of Albania. On behalf of the Patriarchate, the members of the Holy Synod of Jerusalem, and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, the Patriarch addressed him with blessings, prayers, and wishes for serving the Church of Christ and caring for His people as the best successor to the best predecessor, following in the footsteps of his predecessor His late Holiness Anastasios, who had a positive and distinguished influence on the Orthodox world, also discussed fraternal relations with other Orthodox churches around the world.
In addition, the Patriarch decided, out of concern for the pastoral and spiritual well-being of the parishioners in Acre, and for the management of spiritual and administrative affairs, to appoint Archbishop Makarios of Qatar as the Metropolitan of Ptolemais – Acre. And for Archbishop Aristovoulos of Madaba to be appointed as the Archbishop of Qatar.
The following decisions were further taken during the session of the Holy Synod:
- Appointment of Archimandrite Silwanos Hanouneh as the General Supervisor of the Northern West Bank provinces (Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm).
- A letter of release was issued for Archimandrite Bartholomew, Master of Ceremonies, from the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and the Clergy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
- Accepting the resignation of Archimandrite Mattheos, the Patriarchal Dragoman, from his duties as Director of the Patriarchal Seminary school of Mount Zion, and was appointed as the Abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Jerusalem, and the administrator of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist of the Jordan River and the Monastery of the Temptation (Deir Quruntal).
- Appointment of Archdeacon Markos as the Master of Ceremonies.
- Archimandrite Parthenius was appointed abbot of the Monastery of St. Simeon the Elder in Qatamon, where the tomb of Saint Simeon the Elder is located.
- Deacon Dositheus was ordained to the priesthood and appointed abbot of the Monastery of the Prophet Elisha in Jericho.
- Appointment of Archimandrite Christodoulos as secretary of the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
- The ordination of Deacon Simeon to the priesthood and his assignment to Jordan for studies.
- The ordination of Monk Prodromos to a deacon, and to be appointed abbot of the Monastery of St. George in the Armenian Quarter, and assigned to the secretarial offices of the Patriarchate.
- Appointment of Monk Vasilios as the director of the Patriarchal Seminary School of Mount Zion.
- The ordination of Monk Gerasimos to a deacon and to be appointed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Towards the end of the Synod session, the Patriarch and Their Eminences offered their prayers for world peace, wishing the children of the Holy Church in our Holy Land and all parts of the world seasons of salvation filled with divine blessings and graces, praying that our God, who rose from the dead, would fill the hearts of his people with the joy of his resurrection, and that he would illuminate with his divine light the minds of the world’s leaders and every official, so that peace would prevail through them. Peace to the whole world, and to our holy country, which is in deep sorrows, soothing with His divine compassion and consolation the heart of every sorrowful and broken person.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
