Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, received Gaber Diczhazi, Head of Mission at the Representative Office of Hungary to the Palestinian Authority, at the Patriarchate Headquarters in the Old City of Jerusalem.
During the fraternal meeting, His Beatitude expressed gratitude for the friendship and support of Hungary toward the Christian presence in the Holy Land, acknowledging with thanks the recent contribution for the restoration of the Patriarchate’s Zion Theological Seminary. His Beatitude further noted Hungary’s enduring commitment to stand by the Church in safeguarding her spiritual and humanitarian mission.
In the course of their discussions, His Beatitude raised the pressing challenges faced by the Holy Land Churches, including the unjust freezing of bank accounts by the Municipality of Jerusalem, taxation in violation of the status quo, repeated assaults by Israeli radicals on the sacred convent of Saint Gerasimos and the Christian town of Taybeh, as well as the grave Israeli military targeting of churches in Gaza through artillery bombardments and snipers. He lamented the restrictions imposed on Christian institutions seeking to provide essential humanitarian aid, especially to the starved children of Gaza, recalling the words of our Lord: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
His Beatitude expressed appreciation for the Hashemite Custodianship of His Majesty King Abdullah II over Muslim and Christian holy sites in the holy land, affirming its vital role in protecting the sanctity of the Church.
The Ambassador graciously extended an invitation for His Beatitude to visit Hungary. His Beatitude received the invitation with appreciation, while reiterating his esteem for the enduring friendship between the Church of Jerusalem and the people of Hungary.
