The Jerusalem Patriarchate has commemorated the Holy Hieromartyr Philoumenos and the anniversary of the transfer of his relics to the site of his martyrdom at Jacob’s Well. A solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated on August 30, 2026, according to the website of the Jerusalem Church.

On the same date in 2008, the relics of St. Philoumenos were transferred from the Orthodox cemetery on Mount Zion in Jerusalem to Jacob’s Well, where he had served as abbot and guardian of the holy site. A Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the church marking the occasion, attended by clergy and faithful from nearby Arabic-speaking Orthodox communities. Hymns were sung in both Greek and Arabic.

Father Philoumenos, born Sophocles Hasapis, was born in Cyprus in 1913. As a young man, he and his brother embraced monastic life before traveling to the Holy Land. He was later ordained a priest and served within the Jerusalem Orthodox Church.

In 1979, Archimandrite Philoumenos was appointed abbot of the monastery at Jacob’s Well, near present-day Nablus in the West Bank. On November 29 of the same year, he was killed in an attack while serving at the shrine. The Jerusalem Patriarchate canonized Philoumenos as a saint in 2009. His principal feast day is observed on November 29, the anniversary of his martyrdom.

Jacob’s Well is considered one of the ancient holy sites of Jerusalem. It is mentioned in the Old Testament and the Gospel of John and is located in the area of ancient Samaria. For centuries, the shrine has been cared for by monks of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre.

The August 30 commemoration is not the feast of the saint’s martyrdom, but marks the transfer of his relics to the place where he served and suffered martyrdom. In 2026, the Jerusalem Patriarchate once again held a solemn service at Jacob’s Well on this date.

The faithful thus honored the memory of Hieromartyr Philoumenos while recalling the 2008 transfer of his relics back to the site of his ministry and martyrdom. Following the liturgy, participants gathered for a communal meal.