As is tradition, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, brought Christmas greetings to the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem, to rejoice together in the mystery of the birth of Jesus, which the Orthodox celebrate on January seven.

The Custos, accompanied by some confreres of the Custody of the Holy Land, paid visits to the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, to share a moment of prayer and celebration in the full spirit of Christmas.

The shared commitment to the custody of the holy places

In his messages of greetings, the Custos Fr. Francesco Ielpo wished to thank the different Churches for their commitment and dedication in safeguarding the holy places in the Holy Land.

The Custos emphasized how differences in rite and traditions can become a source of mutual enrichment, when they are placed within the adoration of the same mystery, which is the birth of Jesus.

In committing to the custody of the holy places, Fr. Francesco Ielpo asked all the Churches met today to continue working together in a climate of respect, mutual listening, fraternity, and the sharing of one God, in order to preserve together the integrity of the tangible signs of the Incarnation.

The Custos addressed a particular word of thanks to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch His Beatitude Theophilos III for the work carried out together in the restoration of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, praising the profound mutual respect and the fruitful dialogue between the two Churches.

A message of peace for the whole world

The exchange of greetings that took place today among the different Churches of Jerusalem was an opportunity to pray together for peace throughout the world, reaffirming how interreligious dialogue and the shared commitment to the custody of the holy places represent an example of peace needed not only in the Holy Land, but for peoples all over the world.

The Custos Fr. Francesco Ielpo wished to draw particular attention to the theme of peace especially during the meeting with the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Jerusalem His Eminence Anthimos Jack Yakoub, stating that the Custody of the Holy Land is praying and is constantly keeping itself informed about the events that in recent days have affected Syria, and in particular the city of Aleppo.

The invitation to pilgrims from all over the world

In their messages of greetings, the Custos, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, the Syriac Orthodox Bishop Anthimos Jack Yakoub, the Ethiopian Orthodox Bishop Abune Nathanael, and the Coptic Orthodox Bishop Anba Antonius wished to emphasize the importance of the return of pilgrims.

In fact, while acknowledging an improvement in the situation in the region, which nevertheless remains unstable, the Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem stated that it is absolutely safe for pilgrims to return to the Holy Land to experience the holy places and the life of Jesus.