The Greek Parliament has ratified a Memorandum of Cooperation between Greece and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, establishing a long-term framework for the protection, study and promotion of the Patriarchate’s religious, historical and cultural heritage.
The agreement, signed in Athens on June 8, 2026, will remain in force for ten years, with the possibility of extension following a joint assessment of its implementation.
The Memorandum was concluded between the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and the Jerusalem Patriarchate. It covers the Holy Shrines, churches and monastic complexes, works of art and religious treasures, as well as the valuable collections of the Patriarchate’s Historical Archive and Patriarchal Library.
The agreement received the support of New Democracy, PASOK, Greek Solution, SYRIZA and Niki, while the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and Course of Freedom voted “present.”
€1 million in annual funding
A key provision of the agreement is annual funding of €1 million for the agreed projects, with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture contributing equal amounts.
The cooperation will include the conservation and restoration of monuments and religious treasures; preparation of scientific and technical studies; digital documentation of monuments and movable artifacts; and the organization, conservation and digitization of manuscripts and printed materials held by the Historical Archive and Patriarchal Library.
It also provides for the restoration of icons, frescoes, wood carvings, mosaics and other objects, as well as conferences, lectures and scientific meetings.
Academic and educational initiatives will be developed in cooperation with Greek universities, while the agreement also envisages collaboration with international scientific, research and cultural organizations and the publication of studies promoting the history and cultural heritage of the Patriarchate.
Patriarchate’s autonomy to be respected
The projects will be implemented with respect for the historical, administrative and canonical autonomy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
In cooperation with the two Greek ministries, the Patriarchate will determine the priorities and conditions for individual projects. Funding will be allocated to specific programs agreed upon in writing and implemented in accordance with Greek legislation.
Discussions on the first projects have already begun following the signing of the Memorandum. These include the protection and restoration of the Metochion of the Holy Sepulchre in Plaka, Athens, and the Byzantine Church of Goumeno in Ilia.
Plans also include documenting and digitizing sacred treasures belonging to the Patriarchate’s dependencies in Greece.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
