Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens condemned the desecration of Christian holy sites by Israeli soldiers in Lebanon

Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Hellas has strongly condemned the vandalism of a Christian crucifix in southern Lebanon by an Israeli soldier. The Primate of the Hellenic Orthodox Church emphasized that such actions contradict the very essence of Christian teaching, which is based on love and forgiveness, not violence.

According to the news portal Orthodoxia.info, the incident captured on video has caused a wave of international outrage. The footage shows a uniformed soldier using a sledgehammer to destroy a symbol sacred to Christians. The reaction of official Tel Aviv was immediate: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the incident, publicly apologized and promised to apply strict military sanctions to the perpetrator. Israeli leaders said the act defamed the values of their army, noting that Israel remains the only place in the Middle East where Christians enjoy full religious freedom.

In his address, Archbishop Jerome noted that Jesus never led armies or took up arms; rather, he ascended to the Cross, calling for repentance. Citing biblical truths and the words of the Apostle Paul, the Primate emphasized that Christ came not to break but to fulfill the law. Although Jerome welcomed the quick reaction of the Israeli Prime Minister, calling it a step in the right direction, he expressed deep concern about the horrors of war, which breed blind rage and lead to innocent victims.

The Archbishop concluded his message by recalling the recent tragic deaths of schoolchildren in Iran, emphasizing that armed conflicts leave behind only pain. He reaffirmed the Church’s unchanging position of constant prayer for peace in the world and in the souls of every human being.