Funeral Held for Archimandrite Hilarion on Mount Tabor

MOUNT TABOR — Clergy, monastics, diplomats, and faithful gathered on Mount Tabor on June 19 for the funeral of Archimandrite Hilarion Gramenos, the longtime abbot of the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration, who reposed after decades of service to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Patr. Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the funeral service, joined by Metr. Kyriakos of Nazareth, Abp. Aristarchos of Constantina, Metr. Makarios of Ptolemais, Abp. Methodios of Tabor, Abp. Philoumenos of Pella, and numerous clergy of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. Also attending were faithful from across Galilee, monastics, representatives of the Greek Embassy in Israel, and members of communities where the late Archimandrite had served.

In his funeral address, Patr. Theophilos reflected on Archimandrite Hilarion’s nearly six decades of ministry after arriving in Jerusalem from Corfu in 1967. The patriarch highlighted his service in Bethlehem and Reineh, as well as restoration projects at churches in Ma’alul and Nazareth. He also emphasized the late abbot’s pastoral work and commitment to preserving Orthodox traditions in the communities entrusted to his care.

Particular attention was given to Archimandrite Hilarion’s leadership of the Mount Tabor monastery, where he served as abbot beginning in 1979. During that time, he oversaw extensive renovations, including restoration of the iconostasis, installation of new bells, marble flooring, Byzantine iconography, and construction of a chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The patriarch said these accomplishments reflected the departed cleric’s dedication to the Church and would accompany him as he met Christ.

Following the funeral, the monastery’s nuns hosted a memorial reception, and Patr. Theophilos thanked those who attended and prayed that the memory of Archimandrite Hilarion would be eternal.

Previously, the UOJ reported that ROCOR mourned the repose of Dn. Andrei Antchoutine.