On January 1/14, 2020, the feasts of the Lord’s circumcision and of the commemoration of St. Basil the Great were celebrated with an All-night Vigil at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Hagiotaphite Brotherhood went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at midnight and started the Service of Matins at the Catholicon. After Matins, the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great was celebrated at the All-holy Tomb.
The Divine Liturgy was officiated by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, with co-celebrants Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Methodios of Tabor and Demetrios of Lydda, Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis and Metropolitan Anthony of Glyfada from the Church of Greece, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks with first in rank the Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios and Priests from other Orthodox Churches, Archdeacon Mark and Hierodeacon Eulogios. The chanting was delivered by Archbishop Aristovoulos of Madaba and Hierodeacon Simeon and the service was attended by many pilgrims from various countries, with the honorary presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Christos Sophianopoulos, with the Consulate staff.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by a litany three times around the Holy Sepulche and around the shrines.
Then Patriarch Theophilos cut the New Year vasilopita at the Office of Geronda Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, and distributed to the people, wishing them a happy New Year 2020.
Finally, bells tolling, the Patriarchal Entourage returned to the Patriarchate Headquarters.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
