Metropolitan Nicholas Receives Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia in Jerusalem
Since arriving in the Holy Land on May 27, Metropolitan Nicholas has met with hierarchs, performed a church consecration, and elevated a new abbess.
JERUSALEM — His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia of the Jerusalame Patriarchate at the Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mount of Olives.
Archbishop Theodosius is colloquially known as Atallah Hanna, as “Atallah” and “Theodosius” both mean “gift of God” in Arabic and Greek, respectively. In the Orthodox world, he has been one of the most outspoken voices in defense of Orthodox Christians in Palestine, as well as Palestinians overall.
The hierarchs held discussions focused on inter-Orthodox relations, shared concerns, and the global persecution of Christians. At the close of their meeting, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Archbishop Theodosius with a painted copy of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” invoking the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in his pastoral ministry.
Previously, UOJ reported on Metropolitan Nicholas’ elevation of Mother Judith (Zastavskaya) to Abbess of the Holy Ascension Convent on its patronal feast day.
