JERUSALEM – On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem accompanied by Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo and some Latin Patriarchate priests, to extend Easter greetings according to the Julian calendar. 

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III, warmly welcomed Patriarch Pizzaballa on this occasion. Present were Bishop Hosam Naoum, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, Archbishop Anba Antonious, Coptic Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East, and several other priests and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

In his message, Patriarch Pizzaballa shed light on the circumstances that have followed the Coronavirus pandemic since last year, canceling all pastoral and community projects, closing Churches and schools, preventing pilgrimage, and leaving many people without work. The Patriarch added on the occasion of Easter: “We Churches of Jerusalem have the duty to preserve this witness of light in front of the whole world and first of all for our communities, in Palestine, in Israel, in Jordan and above all in Jerusalem, the Holy City which conserves the memory of the whole history of the revelation, of the death and resurrection of Christ, and has a universal vocation, which concerns the whole world, and for that reason must remain open to all.”

On his part, Patriarch Theophilus III stressed the significance of Easter, especially to Jerusalem where Jesus Christ has risen. He added that the faithful of the Holy Land have a message to the world, for they bear witness to the Resurrection of Christ. His Beatitude concluded by expressing the Churches’ sympathy with the faithful around the world, in the wake of the crises the epidemic has left on the world.

Bishop Hosam Naoum welcomed everyone present, expressing his joy at being present on this special occasion, as the new Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. The Bishop said: “The Resurrection of Christ has granted us a new life. It has given us hope, which is a sign of both strength and perseverance.”

At the end of the visit, Patriarch Theophilus III gave Easter eggs to the attending bishops and priests. 

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem