Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, all Palestine, and Jordan, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss safeguarding the authentic Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East. The talks focused on preserving freedom of worship, ensuring the right to practice religious rituals, and maintaining the sanctity of holy sites for all faiths, reflecting the deep spiritual and historical roots of the region’s Christian community.
During the meeting, His Beatitude bestowed upon President Trump the “Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.” One of the highest honors granted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the decoration carries profound spiritual significance tied to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Patriarch presented the President with a range of concerns and challenges confronting the churches of the Holy Land. Foremost among these were sustaining the authentic Christian presence, safeguarding holy sites, promoting human dignity, and reinforcing the Church’s mission of pastoral care, mercy, and peace building.
The discussions also addressed the restrictions affecting both Muslims and Christians in the Holy Land regarding access to places of worship and religious observance. The meeting highlighted recent Israeli-imposed restrictions and closures in Jerusalem that affected the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which impacted local worshipers during recent religious holidays in the city.
Patriarch Theophilos III emphasized that maintaining the freedom to practice religious rituals in the Holy City is inextricably linked to upholding the historic “Status Quo.” He stressed that protecting this decades-old framework governing the administration of holy sites remains essential for preserving religious balance and safeguarding both the Christian and Islamic presence in Jerusalem.
Underscoring that the “Mother of All Churches” draws from the biblical beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” His Beatitude affirmed that the Patriarchate continues its spiritual mission to support peace and human dignity globally. He pointed to ongoing efforts regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting upcoming visits to relevant nations—including a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin—aimed at fostering dialogue and cultivating a spiritual and political climate conducive to stability and peace among nations.
Furthermore, Patriarch Theophilos III underscored that King Abdullah II of Jordan remains a cornerstone in protecting the Christian presence and safeguarding holy sites in the Holy Land. He praised the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites as a vital safety valve for religious stability and the protection of diversity, calling it an exemplary model for respecting monotheistic faiths and cementing the values of coexistence and pluralism.
His Beatitude highlighted the King’s initiatives to restore and maintain Christian and Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, describing them as an unwavering commitment to protecting the Holy City’s religious heritage and spiritual identity. He also noted the inauguration of the Orthodox University at the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas)—where Jesus Christ was baptized—as a significant step toward anchoring freedom of worship, religious education, and the Christian presence in Jordan.
The Patriarch extended an invitation to President Trump to visit Jordan and the Baptism Site, affirming that the Kingdom is a land of safety, security, and peace that honors monotheistic religions and protects the freedoms of their followers. He concluded by stating that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, serves as a model of religious and social stability, continuing its pivotal role in defending and sustaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
