On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem received the Priest and the Trustees of the Community of Ibillin, under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Ptolemais, Acre of the Patriarchate, regarding matters concerning their Community, specifically regarding their request to Patriarch Theophilos for the joint celebration of the feast of Christmas.
Patriarch Theophilos replied to them that the Patriarchate has already made a Synodal decision on this matter. It stipulates that 25 December, according to the Julian calendar (the day of the feast of Christmas), corresponds under the Julian calendar to 12 December, the feast day of Saint Spyridon.
On this day, the Patriarchate celebrates this feast socially alongside Christians of other denominations, but not liturgically. On this day, the Patriarchate canonically observes the memory of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Trimythous, and chants the Troparia of his feast, which already include the Katavasiai “Christ is born, glorify Him” as a prelude. The Patriarchate follows this practice with the other Christian Churches in Jerusalem as well, by exchanging social visits to give a good Christian testimony to the world, without performing liturgical acts.
Subsequently, Patriarch Theophilos received the Consul General of France to Israel, Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison.
Welcoming the new French Consul, Patriarch Theophilos outlined to him the pastoral, social, peaceful, and cultural work carried out by the Patriarchate through the ages.
Patriarch Theophilos then received a group of pilgrims and Archimandrite Leontios, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of Cana in Galilee.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
