Patriarchate of Jerusalem: The Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos and procession of the holy icon back to the Metochion of Gethsemane

The Procession of the icon of the Theotokos from Gethsemane to the Patriarchate was held on August 23rd/September 5th, 2024.

At the beginning of this day, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Theotokos’ Tomb, followed by the Procession.

The Hegoumen of the Shrine, His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis was carrying the Icon of the Dormition upon his chest as the Procession was led by the nuns, monks, the Byzantine choir, the Hierodeacons and the Priests, surrounded by a crowd of faithful, lead by the chanting of the hymns of the Dormition.

The Procession marched in front of the Shrines of Saint Stephen, Saint Anna, Saint Nicodemus, the Praetorium, Saint Charalambos and Sayda Naya, with short supplications and special honour at the Christian Quarter.

At the mediation between the Patriarchate and the Christian Way, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and the other Holy Sepulchre Fathers venerated the Holy Icon when the Procession reached them, along with the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, members of the Greek Consulate, Christians living in the Christian Quarter, the Scouts of the Christian youth. The veneration concluded with the Polychronion of His Beatitude.

The Holy procession passed through the Christian Way to conclude at the Courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the Fathers of the Church venerated the Icon, there was a supplication and the Icon was finally placed at the chapel in the Metochion of Gethsemane, to be kept until next year.

Finally, the Hegoumen of the Shrine, His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis hosted a reception for the Priests and all who helped with the smooth operation of the Procession at the rectory.

From the General Secretariat

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem