The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was honored to receive Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, yesterday afternoon at the Patriarch’s Headquarters in the Old City of Jerusalem. The President was hosted by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, as well as formally accompanied to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarch also decorated the President with the Megalostavros which is the Great Cross of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
Patriarch Theophilos and Christodoulides engaged in a constructive discussion on various issues of mutual concern, with emphasis on the challenges facing Christians in the Holy Land.
In the course of their meeting, Patriarch Theophilos underscored the grave challenges confronting Christians in the Holy Land, especially those stemming from political instability, hate crimes, and the persistent attempts by Israeli radical groups to illegitimately expropriate Christian cultural heritage and seize control of church properties as well as vandalize holy sites. The Patriarch emphasized the significance of upholding the “Status Quo” agreements, under the Custodianship of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, over Muslim and Christian Holy Sites.
Christodoulides provided an update on the political developments in Cyprus and the European Union as a whole. Both parties expressed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in order to safeguard Christian heritage and presence in the Holy Land.
The encounter between the Patriarch and the Cyprian President represented a significant step forward in addressing the challenges that Christians face in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of Cyprus and other countries in protecting the “Status Quo” agreements and ensuring the welfare and safety of Christians in the region.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is steadfastly dedicated to promoting cooperation with different states and remains committed to protecting and preserving Christian cultural heritage in the Holy Land.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
