Israeli court authorizes Jerusalem Patriarchate to hold services in Al-Bassa churches

The Haifa Central Court issued a landmark ruling authorizing religious services in Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches in the abandoned but historically significant town of Al-Bassa in the Western Galilee, Israel. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed deep satisfaction with the ruling, which affirms the rights of church communities and paves the way for the restoration of historic shrines.

According to ORTHODOXIANEWSAGENCY.GR, the court’s decision follows a joint lawsuit filed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Haifa. The suit sought to affirm their right to hold religious ceremonies on church property, responding to long-standing appeals by residents of the city who continue to assert their right to pray in their historic churches.

Previously, a similar request by church authorities to confirm ownership of church properties was denied by the county’s Planning and Building Committee, the Asher Regional Council, the Shlomi Municipality and the Israel Land Authority. The rejection was based on an approved tourism plan in the region, which posed a serious obstacle to the restoration of religious life.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem expressed his deep appreciation for the court’s decision. He affirmed that the Patriarchate will immediately begin work to restore the churches and conduct Divine Liturgies in accordance with the canonical and legal procedures outlined in the ruling. Patriarch Theophilos noted that restoration work is already underway in churches in other abandoned villages, citing the completed work at the Saab Church and the ongoing work at the Maaloul Church, where services have resumed after its restoration.

His Beatitude also praised the efforts of the Sons of Al-Bassa Association in handling this legal case. It was emphasized that the relevant ecclesiastical authorities have already started preparing the necessary technical plans to rebuild the two churches in a way that is in line with the historical and religious character of the area. In conclusion, the Patriarch of Jerusalem congratulated the faithful on the beginning of Lent, wishing them a blessed and accepted Lent.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was closed due to security measures.