Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • A Zoom Retreat on “Pride” for Clergy Wives and Widows
    • Pascha With St. John of Shanghai
    • Over 200 Entered the Church this Pascha in Hatfield, UK
    • On the Unity of the Church: An Interview with Dr. Symeon Paschalidis
    • OCA Delegation Attends Funeral of Pope Francis
    • Another Joyful Milestone at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
    • The “Chernobyl Savior” Icon
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem release “Statement on the Current Threat to the Christian Presence on the Holy Land”

    Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem release “Statement on the Current Threat to the Christian Presence on the Holy Land”

    2
    By Webmaster on December 18, 2021 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: The Presbyterian Outlook

     

    December 17, 2021 by World Council of Churches

    (WCC) — The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have released a “Statement on the Current Threat to the Christian Presence in the Holy Land,” reiterating the concern that, throughout the Holy Land, Christians have become the target of fringe and radical groups.

    The statement acknowledges with gratitude the declared commitment of the Israeli government to uphold a safe and secure home for Christians in the Holy Land. “It is therefore a matter of grave concern when this national commitment is betrayed by the failure of local politicians, officials and law enforcement agencies to curb the activities of radical groups who regularly intimidate local Christians, assault priests and clergy, and desecrate Holy Sites and churches properties.”“Since 2012 there have been countless incidents of physical and verbal assaults against priests and other clergy, attacks on Christian churches, with holy sites regularly vandalized and desecrated, and ongoing intimidation of local Christians who simply seek to worship freely and go about their daily lives,” the statement reads. “These tactics are being used by such radical groups in a systematic attempt to drive the Christian community out of Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land.”

    WCC in solidarity with the churches and Christian communities in the Holy Land

    Expressing solidarity with the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Dr Ioan Sauca affirmed and supported the churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land in their unbroken continuing ministry and witness in the land of Christ’s birth.

    “The statement issued by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem highlights the increasing threat to the Christian presence in the Holy Land posed by attacks and incursions by radical groups who seek to destroy the religious and cultural diversity of the region,” said Sauca. “Recognizing the gravity of the threat accelerating the already tragically steep decline in the Christian presence, the WCC strongly supports the church leaders’ call for an urgent dialogue with the political authorities of Israel, Palestine and Jordan with a view to addressing the challenges posed by radical groups and to protecting and supporting the Christian community.”

    Sauca added: “The Christians of the Holy Land must be respected and valued as part of both the heritage and future of the region, and assured the same rights as others and protections appropriate to a threatened minority, for which the political authorities of the region are both legally and morally responsible.”

    Statement on the Current Threat to the Christian Presence in the Holy Land by the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches of Jerusalem

    WCC statement in solidarity with the churches and Christian communities in the Holy Land

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleIncarnation to Parousia
    Next Article Former Pro Baseball Player Now Trains for Priesthood

    Related Posts

    April 30, 20251 Min Read

    Over 200 Entered the Church this Pascha in Hatfield, UK

    April 30, 202513 Mins Read

    On the Unity of the Church: An Interview with Dr. Symeon Paschalidis

    April 26, 20258 Mins Read

    The “Chernobyl Savior” Icon

    2 Comments

    1. Vaseili Doukas on December 21, 2021 12:14 pm

      Which radical groups does the statement refer to? Without such a clarification, the statement is meaningless

      Reply
    2. Peter Ray Millman on December 29, 2021 9:41 pm

      They’re talking about many radical Orthodox Jews who have been harassing Christians in the holy land for years, spitting on them, damaging Christian holy sites, etc.

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Mihaela Hristodor on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    • Webmaster on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Joy smith on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Webmaster on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Gloria on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Webmaster on A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • Irvinjacksonjr on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • George Marakis on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Gerry Perdilas on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Lakis Velotris on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.