On November 29, the Jerusalem Church observed the feast day of Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos of Jacob’s Well. The commemoration was led by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem in the Church of Saint Photini, located above the ancient Well of Jacob in Nablus, Samaria, where the saint was martyred in 1979. This was reported by the Jerusalem Patriarchate’s press service.

Saint Philoumenos (born Sophocles Hasapis) was born on October 15, 1913, in Cyprus, into a pious family. In 1927, he and his twin brother Alexander became novices at Stavrovouni Monastery. In 1934, Philoumenos moved to Jerusalem, where he took monastic vows and was later ordained as a hieromonk. He served in Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Ramallah before being appointed abbot of the monastery at Jacob’s Well in May 1979, a site revered by both Christians and Jews.

In November 1979, a group of fanatics demanded that Father Philoumenos remove Christian symbols from the chapel near the well, claiming they interfered with prayer. The abbot refused. On November 29, 1979, while praying, he was brutally murdered by a fanatic named Asher Rabi, who threw a grenade into the monastery and inflicted fatal axe wounds. The church was desecrated following the attack. The perpetrator was apprehended three years later, declared insane, and institutionalized.

Saint Philoumenos was canonized by the Jerusalem Patriarchate on September 11, 2009. His relics rest in the Church of Jacob’s Well, attracting numerous pilgrims. His feast day is celebrated on November 16 (November 29 according to the new calendar).

On November 29, 2024, Patriarch Theophilos III presided over the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by bishops, archimandrites, and clergy of the Patriarchate. Faithful from Jerusalem, neighboring regions, and pilgrims attended the service.

In his address, Patriarch Theophilos highlighted Saint Philoumenos’ unwavering dedication to Christ and his pastoral duties, even in the face of threats. He urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the saint’s example, who, like Christ, endured suffering for his faith and remains a beacon of Orthodox spirit. The liturgy concluded with prayers for peace in the Holy Land and the strengthening of the Orthodox community in the Middle East.