With deep sorrow and distress, we express our wholehearted sympathy to You and Your faithful during this time of crisis in the Holy Land. It deeply pains us to witness the senseless killing that is occurring among peoples of different faiths who live together in this region, and to witness the unnecessary desecration of Christian holy sites in this land. It further saddens us to know that You and Your people must suffer and endure the consequences of this inhumane and incomprehensible

Your Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah of the Latins in Jerusalem, our Modesty’s beloved brother in Christ, we fraternally embrace you in the Lord.

With deep sorrow and distress, we express our wholehearted sympathy to You and Your faithful during this time of crisis in the Holy Land.  It deeply pains us to witness the senseless killing that is occurring among peoples of different faiths who live together in this region, and to witness the unnecessary desecration of Christian holy sites in this land. It further saddens us to know that You and Your people must suffer and endure the consequences of this inhumane and incomprehensible behavior.

We pray that our Almighty God and Lord Jesus Christ, present with us always, will continue to be a source of strength and inspiration as You shepard Your flock during this time of conflict, and that He bring comfort to those who are mourning in Your community.

We also pray for the enlightened leadership of this region to bring about an abrupt end to this unrest in order to make God’s desire for good will and mutual understanding between individuals, nations and faiths prevail in this land, which is central and holy to millions of God-fearing people throughout the world.

Your Beatitude’s Beloved Brother in Christ

+ Bartholomew
Archbishop of Constantinople
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch