The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to express its deep gratitude to those who support its pastoral and humanitarian mission in the Holy Land through steadfast charity. This gratitude is manifested in two essential ways: through prayer and through tangible signs of appreciation. In this spirit, the Latin Patriarchate recently honored several members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by awarding them the Golden Medal of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of their long-standing dedication and generous service. 

Among those honored were Msgr. Aybram Yvon from France; Mr. Khalid Yacoub Bahnan, who resides in the United States but is originally from Bethlehem; and Mr. Luka Conte and Fr. Nicola Caino, both from Italy. 

On Friday, January 2, 2026, Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, awarded the Golden Medal to Msgr. Aybram Yvon, Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Nanterre in France, on behalf of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The medal was presented in honor of Msgr. Yvon’s 50th Priestly Jubilee and in recognition of his exceptional support for the mission of the Latin Patriarchate. Over the past year, Msgr. Yvon has organized and accompanied more than 60 pilgrimage groups to the Holy Land, regularly visiting the Patriarchate, and had been a principal supporter of the Seminary of Beit Jala. 

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa personally presented the Golden Medal to Mr. Khalid Yacoub Bahnan at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Mr. Bahnan, a native of Bethlehem who immigrated to the United States and works in religious tourism, has been a steadfast supporter of the Patriarchate’s mission by bringing annually more than 3,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land, and a greater number to other Holy Places worldwide. He continues to support the Christian community in Bethlehem, particularly through local parishes and various institutions. The ceremony was attended by Fr. Rami Askria, OFM, former parish priest of Bethlehem, and H.E. Issa Jamil Kassissieh, Ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. 

Read more: https://www.lpj.org/en/news/latin-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-honors-knights-of-the

By lpj.org