Protecting Holy Land Christians

Category: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

Statement by the Jerusalem Patriarchate on Israel’s Impediments to Freedom of Worship

The recent decision by the Israeli Police to ban Christian worshippers from participating in the sacred services of the Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, citing the absence of requisite government approvals and licenses, has led to the regrettable closure of this holy site to thousands of faithful congregants.

This decision, reminiscent of last year’s similarly timed disruption, has left the Patriarchate of Jerusalem with little recourse. The recurrent Israeli portrayal of Christian prayers and religious ceremonies as private events necessitating security measures—an approach distinctly detached from the spiritual essence of these occasions—serves as a persistent excuse to impede Christians from exercising their faith. Such actions dismiss the integral role of Christians within the societal fabric, imposing undue restrictions rather than fulfilling the state’s duty to facilitate the practice of religious practices.

This regrettable stance is not isolated; comparable obstructions have also marred other sacred events, including Saturday of the Holy Light in Jerusalem. It is incumbent upon the Israeli authorities to uphold the inviolable rights of freedom of worship, access to holy sites, and the unimpeded performance of religious ceremonies—rights that are both inherent and guaranteed by international law to the indigenous Christian community in the holy land.

In anticipation of avoiding a repetition of last year’s events during the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Patriarchate had proactively communicated with the Israeli Minister of Interior over a month ago. However, the police’s decision has unexpectedly thwarted the natural right of believers to worship. The Patriarchate earnestly hopes that Israeli authorities will reassess their stance towards non-Jewish religious practices, affirm the fundamental rights of Christians, and resist yielding to dominating radical tendencies.

 

Access the full statement in English and Arabic.

THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM CONDEMNS ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES TARGETING HUMANITARIAN INSTITUTIONS IN GAZA

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a statement on the airstrike on its church compound:

Jerusalem, October 19, 2023

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its strongest condemnation of the Israeli airstrike that have struck its church compound in the city of Gaza.

The Patriarchate emphasizes that targeting churches and their institutions, along with the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women who have lost their homes due to Israeli airstrikes on residential areas over the past thirteen days, constitutes a war crime that cannot be ignored.

Despite the evident targeting of the facilities and shelters of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and other churches – including the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem Hospital, other schools, and social institutions – the Patriarchate, along with the other churches, remain committed to fulfilling its religious and moral duty in providing assistance, support, and refuge to those in need, amidst continuous Israeli demands to evacuate these institutions of civilians and the pressures exerted on the churches in this regard.

The Patriarchate stresses that it will not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty, rooted in its Christian values, to provide all that is necessary in times of war and peace alike.

JERUSALEM PATRIARCHATE CALLS FOR AN END TO THE ATTACK ON JENIN AND CALLS FOR A SAFE AND DIGNIFIED LIFE

The Jerusalem Patriarchate sent an appeal this morning, July 4, to the international community and the forces concerned with the cause of peace in the Holy Land, asking them to work to stop the attack on the city of Jenin and its camp, and to put an end to violence and bloodshed based on the values ​​of peace and justice proclaimed by the Abrahamic religions.

In the statement, the Patriarchate stressed that the world is witnessing today an alarming escalation of violence and bloodshed in our region, and that the world, with great regret, is silently witnessing the continued violation of human rights and the targeting of innocent civilians, and that this painful reality requires everyone to take urgent action to prevent further human losses and suffering.

The Patriarchate affirmed the words of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, “we believe in the inherent right of every human being to live in peace and dignity, and we call for an immediate cessation of violence and an acceptance of the voice of the global conscience that calls for an end to armed confrontations and a peaceful settlement of disputes. A just solution for the Palestinian cause is not only a humanitarian necessity, but it is also a political and moral necessity. The continuation of violence leads to more tension and division in the region, and exposes the lives of thousands of innocent people to danger and suffering.” Recalling what was stated in the Holy Gospel: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem called on the entire international community and all political and religious forces to assume their responsibilities in establishing peace and stopping the bloodshed in our stricken region, calling for effective intervention by the competent international bodies to stop hostilities and find just and comprehensive political solutions to the Palestinian file.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem renews its full commitment to the values ​​of peace, justice and love that we learned from the monotheistic religions, and calls on all peoples to achieve harmony, cooperation and mutual respect on the basis of truth and justice.