Jerusalem Patriarch rejects proposal to celebrate Christmas on December 25
Patriarch Theophilos with the community of the Metropolis of Ptolemais and Acre. Photo: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, at a meeting with the priest and parish commissioners of the Abellin community, declined the request for a joint liturgical celebration of the Nativity of Christ on December 25.
Responding to the request from representatives of the community, which is under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Ptolemais and Acre, Patriarch Theophilos referred to a synodal decision of the Church of Jerusalem.
Under the Holy Synod’s decision, December 25 on the new calendar corresponds to December 12 on the Julian calendar – the feast day of St. Spyridon of Trimythous. Patriarch Theophilos explained that on that day, churches celebrate the prescribed service for St. Spyridon.
The Primate stressed that the Jerusalem Patriarchate marks the day with representatives of other Christian denominations only on a social level, not liturgically. Mutual courtesy visits are intended to maintain a positive Christian witness to the world and do not involve joint worship.
As reported by the UOJ, OCU “Metropolitan” Mykhailo Zinkevych said that celebrating Christmas on January 7 would disappear with the death of UOC believers.
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