Washington, DC – On October 14th, 2016 the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) will bestow its ‘Living Stones Solidarity Award’ upon the Self- Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at their 18th International Conference and Awards Banquet, Forging a New Bond of Solidarity for Equality, Prosperity and Peace. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph has announced he is happy to accept the award on behalf of the Archdiocese.

The Living Stones Solidarity Award has been established to honor institutions that have made a sustained and extraordinary effort to love, support, and stand with the Christians of the Holy Land. The Antiochian Orthodox Church has been a prime example demonstrating their determination to preserve the Living Stones in the land of Christianity’s birth.

HCEF President/CEO Rateb Rabie, KCHS, commented, “The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Church has given its full support to Christians throughout the Middle East and has spent years being vocal, standing up for the truth, and offering its support where it is needed most. It serves as a home to many Palestinian Christians in North America seeking spiritual support and a place to belong.” His Eminence honored HCEF by accepting to be the keynote speaker for the conference. (For more information and registration for the 18th International Conference & Awards Banquet, visit: www.hcef.org/18th-international-conference.)

At the core of its mission, HCEF seeks to build strong bonds of solidarity between all Christians around the world with their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. With initiatives that reinforce the bonds of Christians in the west and the Living Stones – we hope to empower the Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land to continue preserving the Christian Faith for millennia to come.

HCEF invites you to advocate for the Palestinian Christians. Please join HCEF in honoring the Self- Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America by participating in the 18th International Conference in Washington, DC.

Visit www.hcef.org or email hcef@hcef.org for more information.