AMMAN — His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Holy Sites of Jordan and Palestine, commended the steadfast stance of His Majesty King Abdullah and the Jordanian people in protecting Christians in the Holy Land.

 

The Patriarch said that the King’s ongoing support for the Orthodox Church reflects the courage and wisdom that have long defined Jordanian leadership, Al Mamlaka TV reported.

 

He also emphasised the importance of Jordan’s solidarity in condemning continuous aggression by the Israeli occupation and restrictions imposed on Christians in Jerusalem, most recently the freezing of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s bank accounts.

 

"The Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem guarantees Christians’ right to unrestricted access to the holy places. It preserves the historic status quo and protects the authentic spiritual and cultural identity of Jerusalem and the Holy Land," he said.

 

Patriarch Theophilos III underlined the unique standing of Jordan, the Hashemites, and King Abdullah within the Orthodox Church, recognising the King as the legitimate custodian of both Muslim and Christian holy sites and heir to the historic Umariya Charter. He also commended His Majesty’s persistent efforts in confronting ongoing restrictions and repeated violations by the occupation against Christians, their sacred sites, and properties.

 

"We are deeply convinced that the enduring guarantee of our presence in the Holy Land rests with the Hashemites’ legitimate and just custodianship," the Patriarch said. "We constantly draw determination and strength from Jordan’s unwavering stance, steadfast as the mountains, in support of the just Palestinian cause and the rights of its proud and resilient people."

 

On the freezing of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s bank accounts in Jerusalem, he noted that coordination with other churches has led to a unified position conveyed to the international community, calling for an end to these unfair practices.

 

He also stressed that the seizure of church funds hampers the Patriarchate’s ability to carry out its humanitarian and social missions, including schools, service centres, and aid programmes for the needy, at a time when solidarity is more critical than ever.

 

His Beatitude also urged the international community to shoulder its moral and humanitarian responsibility and to halt the occupation authorities’ arbitrary measures, emphasising that the Palestinian people will remain on their land and continue living in the Holy Land.