Patriarch of Jerusalem visited Ma’alul for the feast of Prophet Elijah

On Saturday, 8 August 2026, the Feast of the Prophet Elijah the Tishbite was celebrated, with the feast transferred to his Holy Church in the village of Ma’alul, situated on a verdant hill in the countryside near Nazareth.

This Holy Church belonged to the Greek Orthodox community of the village of Ma’aloule, which was forced to abandon it on account of the events of 1948. It remained deserted until recent years, when it was restored by the late Archimandrite Father Hilarion, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of Mount Tabor, and Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, with the blessing of His Beatitude. It was thus once again restored to liturgical use.

In this beautifully prepared Church, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presided at the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Priests of the Nazareth region. Members of the community and the Nazareth choir chanted, while faithful from the region participated in prayer.

Immediately after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, refreshments were offered to provide relief from the heat beneath…