On the morning of Saturday, 5 September 2026, the Feast of the Apodosis, or Leave-taking, of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the icon of the Dormition was carried from the Tomb of the Theotokos in Gethsemane to its chapel—the Gethsemane Metochion—located opposite the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The procession began after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of the Theotokos. It was led by the Abbot of Gethsemane, Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, who carried the icon against his chest.
Vested priests, monks, nuns and pilgrims followed, chanting the hymns of the Dormition period, including “In giving birth you preserved your virginity” and “The Apostles from the ends of the earth,” among others.
The procession made several stops for prayers in front of the Holy Monasteries of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, Saints Joachim and Anna, Saint Nicodemus—the secret disciple of the Lord—the Praetorium, Saint Charalambos and Panagia Saydanaya.
Faithful local Christians and pilgrims stood on both sides of the flower-decorated streets, seeking to venerate the icon and receive the protection and assistance of the Theotokos.
At the intersection of Christian Street and Patriarchate Street, the hierarchs of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, led by their Hegumen and Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilos III, paid his respects to the icon. Local Christians and several pilgrims also took part in the procession.
The procession was preceded by members of the Scouts Corps and Christian youth groups of Jerusalem, who played musical instruments. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, and the Ambassador of Greece to Jordan, Eirini Riga.
The icon then proceeded along Christian Street, turned left and continued towards the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where a prayer service was held.
Finally, the sacred icon was carried up to its chapel and placed on its stand. It will remain there, guarded as a precious treasure of the Church of Jerusalem and of the entire Church, until the following year.
