On Monday, 16 March 2026, the tonsure of Mr Konstantinos Rousochatzakis, who was given the name Kornelios. He is a graduate of the Medical School of Crete and a teacher of Mathematics at the Patriarchal School of Holy Zion.
The rite of tonsure was held by the Patriarch in the presence of Hesychios, Aristarchos, and Isidoros, together with other Fathers of the Holy Sepulchre, the Headmaster Monk Vasileios, the students of the School, and monks and nuns of the Patriarchate.
At the conclusion of the tonsure, the Patriarch addressed paternal words to the newly tonsured monk as follows:
“Beloved and learned Fr Kornelios,
The grace of the All-Holy Sepulchre has guided your steps to the dwelling-place of our holy Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, which has received you into its embrace and incorporated you into its body. This mission is a great one. You came here as a teacher at the Patriarchal School, which throughout this entire period you have been serving, with love, discernment, and above all with that spiritual disposition that distinguishes you. Your presence at the Patriarchal School of Zion has borne very positive fruit and exercised a beneficial influence both on the students and your fellow teachers.
For this reason, our Holy and Sacred Synod unanimously decided that you should be enrolled among the ranks of the Fathers of the Holy Sepulchre, so that you may be able to offer greater and higher service, given that, as we all know, this mission is exceedingly great, and that under present circumstances and conditions our moral obligations are increasing; for today the world finds itself in a state of confusion, lawlessness, and disorder, whereas God is not a God of disorder, as the Apostle Paul the Apostle says.
The Church of Jerusalem has one distinctive characteristic: it is the Church of the All-Holy Sepulchre, the point of reference for the whole world, especially for Christians, and more specifically, the point of reference and unity for all the Orthodox Churches. In other words, the Church of Jerusalem, by reason of the All-Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha, where the blood of Christ was shed, offers consolation, which the world so greatly needs today because of the prevailing confusion and because of the New Age, the New Order of Things—that is to say, globalisation.
For this reason, the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and our Holy Synod responded favourably to your request, because we firmly believe that from this new position you too will be able to offer service both to the Brotherhood in the ministry of the Holy Places and to our flock.
The Holy Shrines are places of worship; they are places where the mystery of the Divine Providence is proclaimed. At the same time, Holy Jerusalem has been called throughout the centuries to safeguard and preserve the Christian presence and to protect the Christian character of Jerusalem, which means that the mission of the Church and of our Brotherhood is not merely great, but exceedingly broad.
I pray that from your new position, you may respond to the needs and expectations of our Brotherhood. May the All-Holy Sepulchre, its grace and its power, together with the power of the Life-Giving Cross, make you worthy of this ministry and show you forth as one who fulfils our expectations. Be steadfast and of good courage, knowing that you will have the full support of us all.
It is a fact that whenever anyone enters upon the arena of monastic life, it is natural and inevitable that he should find himself confronted with the challenges and devices of the devil, who directs his attention towards those who know his devices and expose them, especially monks. The evil one does not concern himself with those who do not believe in his existence. For this reason, globalisation flourishes today, that is to say, this New Age spirit, whose adherents are ignorant of the existence of the devil, and therefore the devil rejoices and exults. But when he sees the Church expanding and acquiring new members who recognise his deceits and devices, he will not remain quiet. Yet the power of the Precious Cross is exceedingly strong. The Church and all the holy Fathers continually affirm that the Cross is the weapon against the devil and against all his devices.
Once again, we wish you Axios, and you should know that we shall surround you with love and with particular care. But you must also take care to show respect to all, to continue your ministry in the School, which is necessary, and thereafter to make good progress wherever the Church has need. May the grace of God overshadow you.”
A reception followed in the Patriarchate hall.
Source and photos: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
