Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III has thanked His Majesty King Abdullah, on behalf of himself, the patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem, and the Council of Churches in Jordan, for the help and support His Majesty provided to the Christian community in the region during the recent crisis.

In a letter sent to King Abdullah following the reopening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after Israel suspended a bill to tax church property, Patriarch Theophilos III said His Majesty’s defence of religious freedom and his leadership in ensuring that the status quo is preserved have been crucial in the ongoing attempts to guard and protect Christian presence, especially in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Following is the full text of the letter:

His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Your Majesty,

We greet You from the Holy City of Jerusalem, and We send Our devoted best wishes to You and the Hashemite Royal Family.

On Our behalf, on behalf of the “Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem” and on behalf of the “Council of Churches in Jordan”, as well as Our clergy, our faithful, and the many thousands of pilgrims who visit this region every year, We wish to express to You our gratitude for the help and support that You have given to us in the recent crisis that faced the Christian community of our region.

Your defense of religious freedom and Your leadership, in ensuring that the Status Quo is respected and maintained, has been crucial in our ongoing attempts to guard and protect the Christian presence especially in the Holy City of Jerusalem. For Your defense is the embodiment of Your Majesty’s custodianship over Muslim and Christian Holy Sites in Our beloved Holy Land.

Your steadfastness, both personally and through Your Majesty’s government, is highly appreciated and we pledge our continued commitment to peace, reconciliation, and co-existence in our beloved Holy Land and throughout the Middle East.

We send to You, Your Majesty, our most respectful and loyal greetings; May God bless Your Majesty, the Hashemite Royal Family and all the people of our beloved Kingdom.

With Best Wishes and Patriarchal Blessings,

THEOPHILLOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem

Jerusalem
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018