On May 4, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, accompanied by a delegation of bishops and priests of the Latin Patriarchate, visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem to convey well wishes marking the Feast of the Resurrection (Easter) celebrated according to the Julian calendar.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III welcomed Patriarch Pizzaballa and the accompanying delegation which included Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Fr. Ibrahim Shomali, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem Hussam Na’oum, Coptic Bishop Anba Antonio, representatives of the churches of Jerusalem, and other priests.

Patriarch Pizzaballa referred to the conditions that came on the heels of the Corona pandemic over the past year which curtailed pastoral programs, closed churches and schools, stopped tourism, and caused some people lose their jobs.  He added, marking the glorious Feast of the Resurrection, “It is incumbent on us as Churches of Jerusalem, to be witnesses of the Light before the world and before our Christian communities in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem, which is the holy city that bears the memory of Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and reflects a universal call that concerns the entire world. For this reason its doors must remain open to everyone.”

For his turn, Patriarch Theophilos III referred to the importance of the glorious Feast of the Resurrection (Easter), especially in Jerusalem, where Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, noting that the community of believers in the Holy Land is a witness to this, and from here its message is emitted to the entire world. He pointed out that all the Churches sympathize with the community of believers in the wake of the crises that the pandemic that affected the entire world.

Bishop Hussam Na’oum said, “The Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ gave us a new life, and offered us hope which is a sign of strength and determination.”