Forgiveness Sunday at the Jerusalem Patriarchate

On Cheesefare Sunday,14 March 2021, also called Forgiveness Sunday,at 5:30 pm at the Monastery Church of Sts.Constantine and Helen, Small Compline was held, according to the Secretariat.Before the dismissal, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine,kneeling down with uncovered head,read the Prayer of Forgiveness to the assembled Fathers,Archbishops,Hieromonks, Deacons and Monks as an act of forgiveness preceding Great Lent, the period of intense prayer in preparation for Pascha. Then Hierodeacon Simeon, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod,chanted "the rivers of Babylon" hymn while the Fathers of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood,or Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre,kissed the Patriarch's hand and exchanged forgiveness wishes with one another.No faithful were admitted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the rite of forgiveness, the Fathers retired to their cells in the Central Monastery, which will be closed until the Wednesday of the first week of Lent.* Earlier,at 2:30 pm at St.James Cathedral, the Vespers of Contrition were were presided by His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Secretary-General Geronda (Elder).Before the dismissal, His Eminence read the Prayer of Forgiveness for Priest Charalambos Bandour; the Byzantine Choir of the Cathedral with their helpers;Arab Orthodox from Jerusalem; Patriarchate Nuns; members of the Greek Consulate in Jerusalem and the Greek community.The number of faithful admitted were strictly limited by the COVID-19 regulations.* The Vespers of Forgiveness concluded with the kissing of His Eminence's hand and exchange of forgiveness wishes among the faithful.* There are presently 120 members of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, including all the Archbishops,Archimandrites, Hieromonks,Hierodeacons,Monks and Novices of the Patriarchate.* At this time,may we all forgive one another if we have offended in any way, just as the Lord Himself forgives.*