The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) will honor the work of Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah Hanna), Archbishop of Sevastia and HCEF Advisory Board Member by establishing the “Archbishop Atallah Hanna Charity Fund.”On July 10, HCEF held a press conference at its office in Bethlehem to officially announce the Fund’s creation. Archbishop Hanna was in attendancealong with Sir RatebRabie, HCEF President and CEO, who spoke from Washington D.C. via a video feed, and Eng. Anthony Habash, HCEF’s Regional Director. Also present were other distinguished members of the Orthodox Church, various Palestinian organizations, and a range of media outlets covering the event.
The Archbishop Atallah Hanna Charity Fundwill support Orthodox and national projects in the Holy Land. This Fund’s establishment follows the development of a strong partnership between HCEF and Archbishop Atallah Hanna, both parties being committed to preserving a substantial Christian presence in the Holy Land. HCEF established this fund because it recognizes the importance of Atallah Hanna’s longstanding mission to support Christians of the Holy Land with a particular focus on the Orthodox community.
Sir Rabie, stated that, “This step is made to honor the mission and work of Archbishop Atallah Hanna. This Fund is created under the name of the Archbishop and will serve the Christian population, particularly Orthodox Christians. The Fund will enable Christian communities and organizations to develop their projects which share our goal of maintaining a strong and vibrant Christian presence in the Holy Land. It will provide hope to the people and strengthen their resolve to work for peace and prosperity.” He also added that, “This Fund has a humanitarian focus and will serve as a bridge between Orthodox organizations around the world and the Orthodox community of Palestine, unifying people who already share the same fundamental values.”
Archbishop Hanna said the following regarding the fund, “I deeply appreciate the establishment of this Fund. It is a natural outgrowth from the partnership I have with HCEF. Through this Fund we will be able to encourage and facilitate donations from all over the world, especially from the sons and daughters of the Orthodox Church who sympathize with their Palestinian counterparts. This Fund will aid the development of programs that serve Christian communities, especially those who are in great need of help. The Fund is not a wholly new effort, but one that will add to the Orthodox Church’s ongoing mission to care for Christians in the Holy Land. It is aimed at developing both the people and the land of Palestine, focusing on housing rehabilitation, job creation, and education. I encourage all Palestinians and all people of good faith to support this Fund because it will ultimately help us all in gaining security and peace.”
The Archbishop Atallah Hanna Charity Fund marks HCEF’s twenty-first program in its overall mission to care for the Living Stones—the Christians of the Holy Land whose ancestors were the first followers of Christ. The Fund represents another crucial step in HCEF’s goal to replace despair with HOPE, fear with SECURITY, and humiliation with DIGNITY.
To support the Archbishop Atallah Hanna Charity Fund please visit HERE.
