Tonsure of a new monk and blessing of the cassocks of novices at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On the 13th/26th of December 2023, in the chapel of the Holy Pentecost in the hall of the Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem conducted a monk’s tonsure for novice Andreas Hatzistabulidis, giving him the name Alexander. The new monk has ministered successfully in the Praetorium, Gethsemane and Bethlehem. At the same time, His Beatitude blessed the monastic cassocks for novices Alexander and Christos who have been serving at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

His Beatitude addressed the new monk and the cassock-clad novices with words of encouragement, underlining the honour and the responsibility of a monk’s membership in the Order of the “Spoudaioi” (Studious) of the Holy Sepulchre.

In the spirit of these words and in view of the Christmas Feast, His Beatitude wished the new monk, Father Alexander and the novices strength from above for a worthy witness to the Holy Sepulchre in this complex world, inspired by the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.

From Secretariat-General

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem