Patriarch Theophilos Honors the Memory of Saint Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane

Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos at the celebration of the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene at the Gethsemane Monastery. Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate.

On August 4, 2026, Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos visited the Russian women's monastery of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane and blessed the sisters and faithful gathered for the patronal feast of the monastery, reports the press service of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The Primate of the Jerusalem Church was accompanied by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Archdeacon Mark. Patriarch Theophilos congratulated Abbess Elizabeth, the nuns of the monastery, and the pilgrims on the feast day of the heavenly patroness of the monastery.

The festal divine service was led by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany. He was co-served by Bishop Job of Stuttgart and the monastery's superior Archimandrite Roman. Patriarch Theophilos, Russia's Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov, and the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in the Holy Land Archimandrite Vassian also took part in the subsequent litia.

Addressing those gathered for the celebration, the Patriarch called Saint Mary Magdalene an example of unwavering faithfulness to Christ. He recalled that she did not abandon the Savior even after His crucifixion and burial, and was then the first to be granted the sight of the Risen Lord and to proclaim the good news to the Apostles.

«Saint Mary Magdalene remains for us a powerful example and intercessor», – noted Patriarch Theophilos. According to him, her faith is especially important for the Jerusalem Church and the peoples of the Middle East, who are going through a period of severe trials and hardships.

Earlier, the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported that the Patriarch of Constantinople received the head of the Jerusalem Church at the Phanar.

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