Jerusalem patriarchs warn against "pernicious ideologies" and threats to Christianity in the Holy Land

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem have expressed deep concern about the serious challenges facing Christianity in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East. They issued a joint statement emphasizing their pastoral responsibility and warning against outside interference and schismatic ideologies such as “Christian Zionism,” which they said threaten the unity of the flock and the historic church order.

According to Orthodoxtimes.com, in their statement, the church leaders affirm before the faithful and the international community that “the flock of Christ on this earth is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have carried out their sacred ministry throughout the centuries with unwavering devotion.” They emphasize that only the historic Churches of Jerusalem have spiritual, communal and pastoral responsibility for Christian life in the land where Christianity was born.

The patriarchs and heads of churches are particularly concerned about the recent actions of local individuals who, they say, promote “harmful ideologies such as Christian Zionism.” According to the statement, such activities “mislead the public, sow confusion and damage the unity of our flock,” while undermining the long-standing ecclesiastical order of the Holy Land.

Church leaders also note with concern that these initiatives have received support from “certain political figures in Israel and beyond” who seek to advance political agendas that could jeopardize “the Christian presence in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East.”

Basing their message on Holy Scripture, the Patriarchs and heads of Churches recall the Apostle Paul’s teaching: “We, though many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another” (Romans 12:5). They warn that “claiming authority outside the communion of the Church hurts the unity of the faithful and burdens the pastoral mission entrusted to the historic churches on the very earth where our Lord lived, taught, suffered and rose from the dead.”

The statement also expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that such individuals have reportedly been welcomed into officialdom, both locally and internationally. Church leaders emphasize that “such actions constitute interference in the internal life of the Churches and disregard for the pastoral responsibility entrusted to the Patriarchs and heads of Churches in Jerusalem.”

In reaffirming their role, the Patriarchs and heads of Churches make it clear that “they alone represent the Churches and their flock in matters concerning Christian religious, communal and pastoral life in the Holy Land.”

Concluding their statement with a prayer call, the Church leaders appeal to divine guidance, saying, “May the Lord, Shepherd and Guardian of souls, send down wisdom to protect His people and preserve His witness in this sacred land.”

Recall, earlier it was reported that Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog expressed serious concern about the mass exodus of young Christian families from the country and called for increased protection of Christian communities and their sanctuaries in the Holy Land. The announcement was made on January 12 at the annual Christmas and New Year’s reception for representatives of Christian denominations held at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.