Patriarch Theophilos receives J. D. Vance in Jerusalem

Patriarch Theophilos and the Vance couple at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Photo: Press Service of the Jerusalem Patriarchate

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem received U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Patriarch personally led the vice president and his spouse through the holy places of the church, explaining their profound significance for the entire Christian world as the site of the Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection.

During the visit, the Primate of the Jerusalem Church conveyed his gratitude to President Donald Trump and the U.S. administration for their efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to alleviate the suffering of innocent people.

Patriarch Theophilos quoted the words of the Savior: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

The visit of the U.S. vice president to Jerusalem took place amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the continuing conflict in Gaza.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Patriarch of Jerusalem had called for an end to violence in Gaza and in Ukraine.

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