Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines

Signing of the memorandum by the Jerusalem Patriarch and Greece. Photo: Orthodoxia

The Jerusalem Patriarchate and the Greek government have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection, which is to be submitted for ratification to the country's parliament next week, reports the Czech editorial office of the UOJ.

The agreement was signed in June of this year during the visit of Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos to Athens. The document concerns the protection, proper maintenance, and documentation of ecclesiastical monuments, liturgical objects, and manuscripts belonging to one of the oldest Orthodox patriarchates.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated at the time that the agreement practically confirms the intention of the Greek state to protect the cultural heritage of the Patriarchate and preserve it for future generations. Patriarch Theophilos called the signing of the memorandum a historic moment and recalled the centuries-old ties between the Jerusalem Patriarchate and Greece.

The cooperation will also include the documentation and digitization of shrines kept at Jerusalem Patriarchate sites on the territory of Greece. Restoration works are also planned at a number of significant buildings, including the metochion of the Holy Sepulchre in the Plaka district of Athens.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, at the June meeting with the Patriarch, also emphasized support for the preservation of the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Middle East. He recalled the importance of maintaining the historical status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem and of cooperation between the ancient Orthodox patriarchates.

As earlier reported, the Jerusalem Patriarchate had earlier called on Israeli authorities to protect Christians.

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