Patr. Theophilos Joins Patronal Feast at Gethsemane Monastery

JERUSALEM — Patr. Theophilos III of Jerusalem joined the sisterhood of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia's (ROCOR) Convent of St. Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane on Aug. 4 to celebrate the patronal feast of the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles St. Mary Magdalene.

The patriarch was accompanied by Metr. Kyriakos of Nazareth, Abp. Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Archdeacon Mark. He was welcomed by Metr. Mark of Berlin, Bp. Job of Stuttgart, Archimandrite Roman, superior of the convent and the Monastery of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, and Abbess Elizabeth. Following the Divine Liturgy, Patr. Theophilos participated in the festal procession alongside clergy, monastics, pilgrims, Archimandrite Bassian of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, and Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov.

Addressing the sisterhood and faithful, Patr. Theophilos reflected on St. Mary Magdalene's steadfast devotion to Christ, noting that she remained faithful even when "it seemed that all was lost." He urged Christians to follow her example.

Like her, we too are summoned to understand the way of Love, to take away the stone from our paltry existence, to emulate Mary Magdalene, and to offer him the gifts of a pure heart and a renewed mind.

The Patriarch also connected the saint's witness to the present suffering in the Holy Land, reminding those gathered that St. Mary Magdalene remained faithful in the face of sorrow and death. He concluded with a prayer for the convent and all the faithful: "May God bless you on this great feast, and may Saint Mary Magdalene, your patron, pray for us that we may attain to the splendor of the saints and to everlasting glory."

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Theophilos met Ambassador Huckabee to discuss Holy Land concerns.