On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem convened at the seat of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the session with the participation of its venerable members.
During the session, the Patriarch and the members discussed a number of issues related to the administrative, ecclesiastical, and pastoral life of the Patriarchate in the Holy Shrines and surrounding regions. The discussion took place amid the ongoing war and tense conditions throughout the region.
The patriarch and members of the synod prayed that God grant peace to the Holy Land and the Middle East. These regions continue to be tested by wars that threaten the safety of citizens and the security and stability of nations. They also invoked Divine Providence, asking that this adverse period and its many consequences come to an end.
The Patriarch called upon all the faithful children of the Church to remain steadfast in their faith and hope. He urged them to defend their land and identity, which are rooted in the struggles and endurance of those who came before them in the Holy Land. This land bestowed grace, blessings, and salvation upon the world.
The Patriarch and the members of the Synod examined ways to strengthen the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Places and how to support and preserve it. They considered fraternal relations among sister churches in the Orthodox world and the wider Christian family, exploring ways to strengthen these bonds. Additionally, they discussed matters related to the properties of the Patriarchate and the importance of their careful management and proper administration.
Before concluding the Holy and Sacred Synod’s proceedings, the Patriarch and its members offered fervent prayers, asking God to bless the Holy Land of the Middle East and the world with peace, stability, and security. They also prayed that the Lord would comfort the hearts of people amid the suffering and tragedy caused by war.
Finally, they expressed their hope that during this sacred period of preparation, the faithful children of the Church of Jerusalem, both in the Holy Land and throughout the world, may receive peace and divine consolation through repentance, fasting, and prayer so that they may share in the joy of Holy Pascha and the life-giving Resurrection.
