Greece to finance restoration of Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem

The Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. Photo: Depositphotos

On November 23, 2025, the Minister of Education, Religions, and Sports of Greece, Sofia Zacharaki, during her visit to the Holy Land, where she represented the Greek government at the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Theophilos III, announced that Greece would allocate funds for the restoration and improvement of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem, reports Greek Reporter.

Zacharaki emphasized that Athens' decision continues the longstanding support of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and is aimed at preserving the most important Christian shrines. According to her, the spiritual and pastoral mission of the Patriarchate remains an "unchanging beacon" for the region, and Greece maintains unwavering commitment to cooperation and assistance.

The minister recalled the significant role of the Patriarchal School of Zion, to which Greece sends teachers, textbooks, and educational materials. She noted that Athens conducts ongoing consultations to strengthen the pastoral, educational, and social activities of the Patriarchate, including support for schools and communities in difficult situations.

During the meeting with Patriarch Theophilos III, Zacharaki expressed interest in resuming the work of the Holy Cross Theological School and expanding cooperation with Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. The Greek delegation also visited the Patriarchal School of Saint Zion and Bethlehem, where the restoration of the Grotto of the Nativity and the challenges faced by Christians in the region were discussed.

In Athens, it is emphasized that the allocated funding has spiritual and cultural significance: it is aimed at preserving the shrine associated with key events of the Christian faith and supporting communities that continue to remain vulnerable in the Middle East.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Minister of Defense of Greece called for the protection of Christians in the Middle East.

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