On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem received the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr Charalambos Prountzos, accompanied by his associates and the Diplomatic Representative of the Republic of Cyprus in Ramallah, Mr Stavros Marios, to discuss matters concerning the development of the Patriarchate’s property in Nicosia, where the Patriarchate maintains an Exarchate under the Exarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostra, for the whole of Cyprus.
Regarding the matters discussed, Patriarch Theophilos assured the Mayor that a relevant Committee of the Patriarchate’s Financial Service will cooperate with the Exarchate of Cyprus and the Municipality of Nicosia.
After exchanging gifts appropriate to the occasion, the Mayor visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to venerate the Holy Sites, accompanied by the Patriarchal Commissioner, Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias.
Thereafter, Patriarch Theophilos received Metropolitan Barsanuphius of Petropavlovsk of the Moscow Patriarchate, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Lazarus of the Church of Estonia, together with a group of 12 clergy and 35 pilgrims, as an expression of ecclesiastical communion and support for the Holy Places.
Patriarch Theophilos expressed his joy at this visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which is established upon Golgotha and the Most Holy Tomb, and especially upon the Cross-bearing and redeeming Blood of our Saviour Christ, which was shed there.
Patriarch Theophilos expressed his gratitude for this visit and asked Metropolitan Barsanuphius to convey his fraternal greetings to Patriarch Kyril of Moscow.
Thereafter, His Eminence requested the canonical permission of Patriarch Theophilos to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Most Holy Shrines.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
