Two days after 7 January, Christmas Day for the Oriental Churches (with the exception of the Armenians who celebrate it on 19 December), the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land visited the various Orthodox communities to exchange Christmas greetings.

The understanding with the Greek Orthodox

The morning started with the appointment at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. In the speeches of the Custos of the Holy Land, Fra Francesco Patton, and of the Greek Orthodox Theophilos III, there also emerged the eternal friendship that has developed over the years between the two communities, but also at personal level.

“This year we will be celebrating Easter together,” the Custos recalled. “I hope that we will be able to show the whole world that the Christians who live in Jerusalem are a single family that our differences are pieces of the same mosaic and that the cornerstone on which our Churches are built is the same.”

In taking leave at the end of his position, which lasted for nine years, the Custos wanted to recall the many results of the collaboration between the two Churches,  the common commitment to the defence of Christians and of the rights of the Churches in the Holy Land, but above all “we have brought fruits of real and fraternal charity and we know that ‘if we love one another, God remains in us.’ This is our common result and our common inheritance.”

Cordiality and affection also rang out from the words added off the cuff to his address by  Theophilos III, who expressed his gratitude for the unity and friendship that have been created at personal level and between the communities over the years of Fra Patton’s term of office.

Greetings and dialogue

At the following meetings, the Custody was represented by the Vicar, Fra Ibrahim Faltas. The meetings took place in a very cordial atmosphere and the different communities wanted to show their esteem and also affection for the Custody. Each meeting was also an occasion to emphasize the importance of dialogue and collaboration between the Churches.

As Fra Athanasius Macora, in charge of the Status Quo for the Custody said, “The exchange of wishes is an example of the common commitment by the different churches to defending the rights and the presence of the Christians in the Holy Land. This entwining of rites in the Holy Places is a great wealth, but also a demanding commitment to overcome together the problems that can arise.”

The Franciscans visited the communities of the Syrian-Catholics, of the Copts and of the Ethiopians in their respective seats. In some cases, several Christian communities were present, which-- although not planned--added joy to the meeting.