On Monday, November 11, 2024, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem received Mr. Diczházi Gábor, the representative of Hungary in Ramallah.
During their meeting, Patriarch Theophilos spoke about his visits to Hungary and the honors bestowed upon him by Hungarian government officials. He also highlighted the Patriarchate’s extensive pastoral and peacemaking efforts amid the ongoing conflict. He expressed gratitude for Hungary’s financial contributions to important restoration projects, including the renovation of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre in 2017.
The following day, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Patriarch Theophilos received Mr. Dov Moskovič, who is leading the comprehensive structural project to promote the archaeological site of the “Seat”. This site includes the excavated ruins of the coenobitic monastery of the “Seat”, located next to the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Elijah. The monastery is mentioned by Cyril of Scythopolis and other historical sources as the Monastery of the Pious Pilgrim Ikelia, which includes an octagonal church. According to tradition, St. Theodosios the Cenobiarch was the first to seek seclusion here. It is also believed that the Virgin Mary, accompanied by Joseph, rested here on their way to Bethlehem, as they traveled to be registered in response to the decree of Caesar Augustus, as recorded in Luke 2:1: “At that time a decree went out from Caesar Augustus”.
Patriarch Theophilos commended Mr. Moskovich for his extraordinary work and expressed his hope for the project’s success, imagining that it would attract numerous pilgrims to the area.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
