Patriarch of Jerusalem: Jerusalem’s Christian presence is vital to the Middle East

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem told the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, that Jerusalem’s Christian presence is vital to the Middle East.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem welcomed Issa to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem amid war and regional crisis. He said Issa’s regional roots and Christian heritage gave him an understanding of the Holy Places.

Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, the Patriarch said. Churches in Syria, Lebanon and the Holy Land, he added, support coexistence and serve communities.

The Patriarch called the Church of Jerusalem “the Mother of all the Churches,” the Church of prophets, apostles and martyrs and of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. He quoted St. Paul: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.”

The Patriarchate has guarded the holy sites and kept them open to all, he said. Patriarch Theophilos III recalled discussing Middle Eastern Christians and Jerusalem’s spiritual role with President Trump at an April Oval Office meeting.

Issa visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarch blessed his mission and prayed that the light of the Holy Tomb would give him strength.…