Patriarch Porphyrios Warned of a Threat to the Christian Presence in the Holy Land

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije issued an official statement in which he expressed deep concern about the fate of the Christian population in Palestine. The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church emphasized that systematic oppression, discrimination, and acts of violence pose a real threat to the survival of the Christian community, which has existed in the Holy Land for more than two millennia.

In a letter addressed to Ramzi Khuri, head of the Palestinian Presidential High Committee for Church Affairs, Patriarch Porphyrios noted that any infringement on the rights of believers not only violates the principles of human dignity but also causes irreparable harm to social and religious unity throughout the entire Middle East region. The Primate of the Serbian Church emphasized that violence against civilians is unacceptable regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

Previously, the Palestinian Committee for Church Affairs had repeatedly reported serious restrictions hindering the conduct of worship services, access to holy sites, and the development of educational activities within Christian communities. In this regard, the Serbian Orthodox Church declared its intention to continue raising issues regarding the protection of Christians’ rights and the achievement of peace in the Middle East at international organizations and during meetings with representatives of the global political community. Previously, the Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem had also issued similar calls regarding the need to protect the Christian presence in the Holy Land.