Patriarch of Jerusalem celebrated Dormition of the Theotokos in Gethsemane

On Friday, 28 August 2026, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Gethsemane, at her venerable Tomb.

On this Feast, the whole Church, and especially the Church of Jerusalem, remembers and celebrates with joy and compunction the Translation, in both soul and body, of the Most Holy Theotokos into Heaven, as proclaimed by the Holy Scriptures and interpreted by the Fathers of the Church.

For this Feast, Vespers was celebrated in the afternoon at the Holy Church of the Tomb of the Mother of God, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Hesychios of Kapitolias. In the morning, following the reception in the courtyard of the Church, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, presided over by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, concelebrated with Metropolitan Hesychios of Kapitolias; the Elder Chief Secretary, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina; Archbishop Demetrios of Lydda; and Archbishop Philoumenos of Pella.

They were joined by Holy Sepulchre Hieromonks, headed by the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nektarios, local Priests, and visiting Clergy from the Churches of the Orthodox countries of Russia, Romania and Georgia. Also…