Date: 13.1.2005
Source: Custody of the Holy Land

Syrian Monastery Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

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On 10 and 11 January 2005, the Franciscans of the Holy Land Custody accompanied the Custos, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to reciprocate the Christmas greetings to the Orthodox Communities.
The first Community which they visited was that of the Syrian Orthodox in the old city of Jerusalem, close to the Jewish quarter. The head of this community, the archbishop Mar Swerios Malki Murad, received the Custos and the friars who accompanied him on 10 January at 10.30 a.m. The archbishop was accompanied by other monks. The meeting was very cordial.
The following day, 11 January, the Father Custos and the friars went to visit the Patriarch Ireneos I and his Synod at the Greek Orthodox Partiarchate at 9.15 a.m. The visit was a fraternal one, with the usual speeches and protocol. At the end of the meeting the Patriarch Ireneos I offered to the Father Custos a beautiful crib made of mother of pearl. To the friars present he offered an “eulogía”, a small cross to each one.
After a short interval the representatives of the Custody went to reciprocate their greetings to the Coptic Orthodox at 10.30 a.m. The friars were welcomed by the archbishop, doctor Anba Abraham. They exchanged speeches, and afterwards were offered sweets and coffee. The archbishop Anba Abraham offered to the Father Custos a bouqet of flowers; then he invited him for an informal meal.
From the residence of the archbishop of of the Copts, which is close to the ninth station of the Via Crucis, the friars proceeded to the “suq” (the ancient Roman “cardo”) to the residence of the archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox, Abba Qawstos, close to the seventh station. The visit was a short one, but was also very cordial, with the usual ceremonial of the previous visitations.
Since the Armenians celebrate Christmas together with Epiphany, on 19 January, the Franciscans of the Holy Land Custody will reciprocate their greetings when the Armenian community has concluded the liturgical celebrations.
e.b.c.

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Coptic Patriarchate

Ethiopian Monastery

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