Patriarch Theophilos receives Metropolitan of Rivne and eparchy pilgrims

Pilgrims from the Rivne Eparchy with Patriarch Theophilos. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem received Metropolitan Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh and a group of Ukrainian pilgrims. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem spoke to the faithful about the special spiritual significance of the Holy City and the entire Holy Land.

Patriarch Theophilos III urged the pilgrims to view their time in the Holy Land not simply as a journey, but to open their hearts to the holy places through deep prayer, faith and reverence. The head of the Jerusalem Patriarchate also pointed to the modern challenges of globalization and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, which he said pose a threat to the spiritual growth of young people.

The Patriarch also recalled that the first Christians endured persecution and physical suffering while remaining faithful to God and the Church. Today, trials take different forms, but Christians must likewise preserve their faith, live a church-centered life and remember that it is in the Church that a person finds the path to salvation.

“Today both Ukraine and Israel are going through severe trials because of war,” Metropolitan Pimen said. “People are dying, peaceful families are suffering, and thousands are losing their homes. In this difficult time, we especially need prayer, mutual support and peace.”

Metropolitan Pimen thanked the Patriarch for his prayers for the faithful of Ukraine and presented him with an icon of the Pochaiv Mother of God. In return, Patriarch Theophilos gave Metropolitan Pimen a cross and bestowed his patriarchal blessing on all the pilgrims.

As previously reported by the UOJ, pilgrims from the Volyn Eparchy met with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

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