Patriarch of Jerusalem: Our churches and clergy are often threatened

Patriarch Theophilos. Photo: blogs.timesofisrael.com

The Primate of the Jerusalem Church, Patriarch Theophilos, addressing the participants of the International Conference on Freedom of Religion, spoke about the threats which the churches and clergy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in the Holy Land face, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.

Patriarch Theophilus will not be able to attend the Conference on Religious Freedom scheduled for early July in Washington due to measures to combat coronavirus. However, he recorded a short address to its participants, in which he spoke about the life of Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land.

He said that churches and clergy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate "are often subject to intimidation and threats by certain extreme radical groups".

“These groups are disturbed by the presence of Christians in the area and therefore show no respect or tolerance for the multicultural and multi-religious character of the Holy Land or the sanctity of the sites,” the Primate of the Jerusalem Church said.

In his opinion, “the concern of the conference but also of the various organizations and the International Community is an important source of courage and encouragement for us here. Your efforts to support religious freedom and to counter the forces that are trying to undermine them are crucial to the Holy City of Jerusalem".

“Please remember us at your meetings, as we remember you in our prayers,” concluded Patriarch Theophilos.

As reported earlier, according to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, the Christian presence in Jerusalem is facing new threats from radical elements.

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