Patriarch of Jerusalem supports persecuted hierarchs of UOC

Patriarch Theophilos. Photo: ethnos.gr

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is deeply concerned about the development of the church situation in Ukraine and calls for active efforts to preserve and restore church unity. This was stated by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine during a meeting with representatives of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem on September 17, 2024, as reported by the official website of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Patriarch Theophilos noted that the Church of Jerusalem is closely monitoring both the conflicts in the Holy Land, caused by military actions in Gaza, and the crisis in Ukraine, which is of particular concern to the Patriarchate.

He expressed his support and prayers for Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl, Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk, and other bishops who are being prosecuted and facing criminal charges, praising their steadfastness and courage.

The Patriarch emphasized the importance of all efforts aimed at preserving and restoring church unity, especially remembering the saying of Saint John Chrysostom that “the Church is the ship”, it is the Body of Christ, “tossed but not submerged”.

"In this hope, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem makes every effort to heal the broken unity of the Church and preserve its unity,” the statement said.

As reported by the UOJ, Archbishop Theodosios (Hanna) of Sebastia (Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Palestine) called on the international community to pay attention to the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian authorities.

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