On Saturday 27 December, 2025 as is customary, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem exchanged Christmas greetings, sharing prayers, reflections, songs and hopes for the future, in an atmosphere of sharing, welcome, and mutual respect.

Greetings from the Greek Orthodox brothers

The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Theophilos III, together with other clergy of his Church, was the first to bring Christmas greetings to the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, and to the Christian Catholic community of Jerusalem.

In his message of greetings, Patriarch Theophilos III wished to emphasize that the good news of the birth of Jesus is not important only for religious people, but for the entire world. He also reminded everyone present that religious men and women are the light of Bethlehem, that is, those who, through good example, brotherhood, and humility, must bear witness throughout the world.

Finally, he shared a prayer for Gaza and for Palestine, asking for peace in the Holy Land, a hope that was also shared by the Custos of the Holy Land.

The visit of the Syriac and Coptic Churches

After the visit of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Heads of the Syriac and Coptic Churches brought their Christmas greetings.

The Custos welcomed them by sharing a message of closeness and unity, affirming that the sufferings of this time in the Holy Land make it necessary to walk together, and expressing the hope that the shared witness of all the Churches present in this land may be an important sign of peace for the faithful throughout the world.

For their part, the Heads of the Coptic and Syriac Churches thanked the Custody of the Holy Land for the shared commitment to the care of the holy places. The Coptic Patriarch echoed the message of the Custos, praying for peace not only in this land but throughout the world. The Syriac Patriarch recalled the beauty of God, who through Jesus came down to earth to save us with the power of love.

Greetings to the Ethiopian Christians, the Melkites, and the Latin Patriarchate

Following the greetings of the Coptic and Syriac Churches came the greetings of the Ethiopians, who shared a traditional Christmas hymn with the brothers of the Custody.

Later, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, paid a visit to the Melkite Christians, who welcomed him and other brothers of the Custody with great joy and hospitality. The Custos and the Head of the Melkite Church led the prayer together, reaffirming the closeness between the two Churches.

Finally, to conclude the day, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, brought his Christmas greetings to all the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land.

In his message of greetings, Cardinal Pizzaballa recalled that "wheat and weeds will always be present in this land, it is up to all of us to make the seeds of wheat grow rather than those of the weeds". The Patriarch and the Custos then prayed for peace in Palestine and for the return of pilgrims to this land so tormented, yet so full of grace and beauty.

The Patriarch also visited the friars and sisters in the infirmary of the Custody, to bring them his Christmas greetings as well and to share a moment of prayer.