Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Church of the Romanian Settlement in Jerusalem.
Concelebrating with him were Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Secretary General of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Metropolitan Joachim of Helenopolis; Archimandrite Constantine, Abbot of the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane; Archimandrite Matthew, Elder Dragoman of the Patriarchate; and Archimandrite Christodoulos, Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Cross and secretary of the Patriarchate.
Among the attendees were Natalia Intotero, Vice President of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies, Corina Badea, representative of the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv, and Florin Bulgariu, diplomatic attaché in Ramallah.
The State of Israel was represented by Johnny Kasabri, government adviser at the Ministry of Interior.
Pilgrims from Romania also took part in the service — believers and clergy from Făgăraș, accompanied by Father David, a guide to the Holy Places.
“It was a day of prayer, communion, and gratitude in the light of the protection of Saint George the Great Martyr, the Trophy-Bearer,” said Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, Representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in the Holy Land.
“We thank Almighty God for the peace bestowed upon the Holy Land, bringing joy and blessing to the community of Romanians, Bessarabians, and Bukovinians living here,” he added.
Deputy Natalia Intotero shared her impressions on social media:
“It was a moment of profound spiritual experience, of peace and light, in which I truly felt God’s presence and His love,” she wrote.
“I feel truly blessed to have witnessed such a moment of grace in a place so holy and full of light.”
The Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem is dedicated to Saint George the Trophy-Bearer.
