Jerusalem church heads approve joint Easter message amid war conditions

on March 26, 2026, the heads of local Christian churches met at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. The meeting participants discussed the order of divine services and coordination of actions of religious communities in the context of the ongoing military conflict in the region.

According to Orthodox Times, during the meeting the general Easter message addressed to believers of all Christian denominations was considered and officially approved. The heads of churches paid special attention to the regulations of Holy Week and Easter services, as well as the tradition of annual inter-church visits, which are complicated by the current security situation.

In addition to discussing ecclesiastical issues, Patriarch Theophilos III held a meeting with the British Consul in Jerusalem, Helen Winston. During the reception, the Patriarch briefed the diplomat on the current situation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the challenges faced by Christian communities in the Holy Land because of the war. It was emphasized that the churches continue to struggle together to overcome the humanitarian and social difficulties resulting from the protracted crisis.

Recall that the escalating military conflict in the Middle East has caused serious concern in Athens and Jerusalem over the traditional delivery of the Holy Fire to Greece in 2026. The unprecedented instability in the region calls into question the security of the mission and the possibility of honoring the multi-year protocol established back in 1988.