Patriarch of Jerusalem met US Ambassador to the Holy See and groups of pilgrims

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem held a series of meetings with diplomats, representatives of Orthodox communities, and groups of pilgrims at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on October 16 and 17, 2026.

On Friday, October 16, the Patriarch welcomed pilgrims from the Orthodox Churches of Serbia, Ukraine, and Russia, offering his blessings and wishing them a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

He also received iconographer Nizar Ksieboun, accompanied by two members of the Orthodox community of Cana. Patriarch Theophilos blessed their work and extended his wishes for the new ecclesiastical year.

On Saturday, October 17, the Patriarch met with the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Francis Burch, who was accompanied by his secretary, Riley Barnes, and other members of his delegation.

During the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos outlined the Patriarchate’s longstanding pastoral, peacebuilding, educational, and cultural activities.

He placed particular emphasis on the Patriarchate’s efforts to preserve the pilgrimage status of the Old City of Jerusalem and the wider Holy Land, as well as its role in protecting Christian holy sites.

The Patriarch…