The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is Christianity’s most holy place. Here, on the site that marks Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, where we welcome more than a million pilgrims and visitors every year, it is heart breaking to close the door on even a single pilgrim or prevent anyone from entering this place of prayer. But we had to do this back in February of this year. The decision was not easy, but it was necessary.
The closure of the Church was an act of protest — a necessary stand against a mounting campaign of intimidation and discrimination that threatens the survival of Christianity in the Holy City.
On the one hand we faced attempts by the mayor of Jerusalem to enforce illegitimate taxes on us. On the other hand, certain members of the Israeli Parliament planned to force through legislation that would make it possible for the state to take over Church lands. These infringements threaten the the centuries-old covenant that protects the Church and guarantees religious freedom in the Holy Land.
Following recent developments and the question of landownership by the churches, Jerusalem is once again a lightning rod for this seemingly intractable political struggle. While international coverage focuses on the politics of posture and protest, Jerusalem’s crises remain, by their very nature, religious. For many years the Christian community has been the buffer between opposing forces. Today, we find ourselves in the crosshairs of those seeking exclusivity in Jerusalem.
The issue of municipal taxes is simple. Properties that are used for Church ministry must be exempt. This is the case with most jurisdictions around the world and, thanks to the status quo, has been so for centuries in Jerusalem. Furthermore, we insist that politicians and officials treat churches fairly and in line with our fellow faith communities in Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the legislation known as the “Bill of Church Lands” would, if passed, infringe upon the rights of churches in the Holy Land and prevent us from dealing freely with our properties. Under certain conditions, the legislation makes it possible for the state to expropriate church lands that have been leased to a third party.
Across the ages, churches have been respected as independent institutions by every relevant governing authority. The proposed legislation blatantly undermines this independence. It disregards the role of Churches as the guardians of a shared and sacred heritage for billions around the world. And it would disable us in our daily mission to care for the poor and the vulnerable in our own community.
We give thanks to God for the intervention of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His efforts to temporarily call off municipal tax collectors and suspend the “Bill of Church Lands” has led to the re-opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In search of a lasting solution, the Prime Minister has appointed Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to chair a special committee. We look forward to working with him and others to ensure that churches are treated fairly and that our Holy City remains a place where Jews, Christians and Muslims can live and thrive together.
While we are grateful to all who have worked to uphold the Christian presence in Jerusalem, our work is not done. Many threats and challenges remain. In one instance, radical settler groups are attempting to gain control over church-owned properties around the “Jaffa Gate.” These sites provide the gateway, for millions of pilgrims and residents, to access the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarchate has lodged an appeal with the Israeli High Court of Justice in an attempt to prevent the Jaffa Gate from falling under their control. Failure in this would have a devastating effect on the character and integrity of the Old City.
Not content to occupy properties, these extremist groups employ intimidation, bribery, vandalism and even arson to “redeem” the land. Their ultimate aim is to make Jerusalem exclusive to one people. On an ongoing basis our Churches are desecrated, and our brothers and sisters face assault. And while the settlers’ actions clearly contravene Israeli law, their crimes go largely untried and unchecked.
A rich tradition, Christianity has enjoyed two millennia in Jerusalem, transcending every shift in politics and power. In this cradle of faith and diversity the churches have sought to ensure that the Holy City Jerusalem remains open and accessible to all who seek solace and joy in its inspirational surroundings.
Throughout all of its trials, Jerusalem remains a persistent emblem of the sanctity of shared space for humankind — a testament to the enduring power of interfaith respect and collaboration, and the quintessential “city on a hill.” Our great hope is that any movement attempting to turn sacred lands to become exclusive will be eclipsed by our relentless pursuit of a shared, peaceful future, and that the truth and the good of humankind will ultimately prevail.
Patriarch Theophilos III is the 141st Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and one of the nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He serves as head of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and religious leader of about 200,000 Eastern Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land.
