Greek Primate condemns desecration of Christ statue in Lebanon

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. Photo: Orthodox Times

On April 21, 2026, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece condemned the desecration of a statue of the crucified Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, expressing concern about the incident, reports the Orthodox Times.

In his statement, the Archbishop emphasized that Christ did not call for violence, but taught love, repentance and forgiveness, and highlighted His sacrifice for the salvation of humanity. He also noted the spiritual significance of Holy Scripture, pointing to the continuous connection between the Old and New Testaments.

Archbishop Ieronymos appreciated the prompt reaction of Israeli authorities, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's condemnation of the incident. At the same time, he emphasized that military conflicts inevitably generate violence and lead to the deaths of civilians, especially children.

Earlier it became known that in the Lebanese Christian village of Debbel, an Israeli serviceman damaged a statue of the crucified Christ. According to media reports, the figure of the Savior was removed from the cross and turned upside down, after which the soldier struck it with an object resembling a hammer.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that one of their servicemen damaged a Christian symbol during operations in southern Lebanon. The army stated that they are treating this case with the utmost seriousness and has launched an investigation, emphasizing that such actions do not align with their values.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, shortly after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

In conclusion, Archbishop Ieronymos emphasized that the Church continues to pray for peace throughout the world and in people's hearts.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that an Israeli soldier destroyed a statue of Christ in Lebanon.

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