Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem: Diplomacy in the Service of Peace and Spiritual Heritage

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem spoke about the severe challenges facing the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem amid the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. The head of the Church emphasized that the Patriarchate’s diplomatic efforts are an integral part of its spiritual mission, aimed at preserving the Christian presence and protecting the holy sites.

According to the Orthodoxia News Agency, Patriarch Theophilos described the current situation as an “endless cycle of death and destruction” that has led to the depletion of Christian communities. Due to the absence of pilgrims, private businesses are closing, and many families are forced to leave their homes. The Primate is particularly alarmed by the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, where the Church insists on the creation of corridors to provide medical care to children in need.

One of the key topics of the conversation was the protection of the status quo of the Holy Sites. Patriarch Theophilos noted that certain forces are attempting to restrict access to the holy sites; however, the Church’s efforts are supported by a number of world leaders, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, who acts as a guarantor of the rights of Christians and Muslims. The Patriarch also mentioned his international contacts, including meetings with Donald Trump, during which they discussed the possibility of the Church of Jerusalem playing a mediating role in resolving geopolitical crises.

In conclusion, Patriarch Theophilos emphasized the importance of education and support for young people. The Patriarchate is actively developing educational initiatives, such as the International Orthodox University in Jordan, to give young Christians the opportunity to fulfill their potential in their homeland and remain the “salt of the earth” in a region that must remain open to representatives of all religions and peoples.

As a reminder, Patriarch Theophilos 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.