Early on Tuesday morning, August 25, 2020, the Procession of the Dormition Icon of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos headed down to Gethsemane.
This ceremony followed a Holy All-night Vigil which was officiated by Archimandrite Demetrios Kavathas, according to the long-term established Status Quo, at the Metochion of Gethsemane opposite the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Icon is kept there and was taken to the Tomb of Theotokos in Gethsemane.
The Icon was carried by the Hegoumen of Gethsemane, Archbishop Dorotheos of Avela, who led the Procession, surrounded by Hagiotaphite Fathers, Nuns, laity, local faithful Christians, but not pilgrims, as the latter are unable to visit the country since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Procession marched down Via Dolorosa, under the chanting of the hymns of the Dormition, with stops for prayers at the Russian Church and at the Holy Monasteries of Praetorion, St. Anna and St. Stephen.
Once in Gethsemane, there was a prayer and the Icon was placed in the Epitaph behind the Tomb at the Platytera area, and then there was the Paraklesis and the Divine Liturgy, officiated by the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew, with the participation of faithful Christians, praying in Doxology and reverence to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The commemoration of the Annunciation of the Dormition of Theotokos was also celebrated at the Holy Monastery of Men of Galilee, according to the custom, at the chapel of the Monastery dedicated to this day. The Divine Liturgy was led by Archimandrite Ignatios with the participation in prayer of the Hegoumen Archimandrite Anthimos.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
