Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem met with the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem emphasized the vital role of the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Middle East in maintaining peace and interfaith coexistence. This statement was made during a meeting between the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem and Michel Issa, the United States Ambassador to Lebanon.

Amid the current regional instability and ongoing military conflicts, Patriarch Theophilus noted that Jerusalem’s Christian heritage is not merely a historical treasure but a crucial factor in stability for the entire region. He recalled that Jerusalem remains a holy site for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and that the Churches in the region are actively working to support local communities, regardless of their religious or national affiliation.

The Patriarch described the Church of Jerusalem as the “Mother of All Churches,” emphasizing its mission to preserve the holy sites associated with the earthly life, sufferings, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In addition, the topic of diplomatic efforts was raised: The Patriarch recalled his April meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, where they discussed issues related to the protection of the Christian population in the Middle East.

At the conclusion of the visit, Ambassador Michel Issa visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Patriarch Theophilus bestowed his blessing upon the diplomat, expressing the hope that the spiritual light of the Holy Places would give him strength in fulfilling his important governmental duties.

As a reminder, Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem had previously announced his intention to act as a mediator to end the conflict in Ukraine. The primate stated that he plans to hold talks with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to help overcome the ecclesiastical schism and stop the bloodshed.