Patriarch of Jerusalem: Divisions weaken the Church’s witness to the world

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem emphasized the need to preserve and restore the unity of the Orthodox Church, warning that human weaknesses and divisions undermine its witness in the contemporary world.

Speaking during the official visit of Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria to Jerusalem on Friday, September 25, 2026, Patriarch Theophilos stressed that the Church is called to convey a message of reconciliation, hope and peace in a world afflicted by war and violence.

“Yet this witness is weakened by human frailty and divisions. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to labour tirelessly for the preservation and restoration of unity,” he stated.

He also described Patriarch Daniel’s recent visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, together with his presence in Jerusalem, as tangible expressions of his commitment to unity and peace among the Local Orthodox Churches.

The visit included an official reception and pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre. Patriarch Theophilos also honored the Bulgarian Patriarch with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

In their addresses, the two Primates referred to the historical ties between their Churches, the contribution of…