Pat. Theophilos III consecrates ward for terminally ill children in Bethany

Patriarch Theophilos III consecrated the new medical building in Bethany. Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate

The Primate of the Jerusalem Church consecrated a new ward for infants with incurable diseases at a humanitarian organization in Bethany. According to the press service of the Jerusalem Church, Patriarch Theophilos visited the "Four Homes of Mercy – Siksek" Foundation and blessed its social ministry.

The Patriarch inspected the new premises designated for the care of children whose diagnoses require specialized rehabilitation unavailable in ordinary hospitals or beyond the capacity of their families.

The Foundation was established on land donated by Jordan in 1946 by the late Greek Orthodox benefactress, Siksek, and has, from its inception to the present day, provided uninterrupted humanitarian care to patients of all ages suffering from incurable illnesses.

During the visit, the Patriarch was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Chief Dragoman, Archimandrite Mattheos, the Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and other clergy of the Patriarchate. The Mayor of Bethany and representatives of the Palestinian Authority were also present at the consecration.

The medical staff and those under the Foundation's care expressed gratitude to the Primate for the spiritual and material support that the Jerusalem Church provides to the organization. According to them, assistance comes both from the Patriarchate's own resources and through donations from private benefactors.

As the UOJ reported, Patriarch Theophilos opened a clinic in Gaza for those affected by the war.

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