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.
Read also
Head of Germany’s largest media group: We must all become Zionists
The media executive urged Europeans to defend the Jewish state in order to preserve their own freedom and security.
Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.