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NEW CONSUL OF FRANCE VISITS PATRIARCHATE

On Thursday the 20th of September/3rd of October 2013, the new French Consul in Jerusalem, Mr Hervé Magro, accompanied by the Consulate’s religious attendant, fr. Luke, visited the Patriarchate.

The new French Consul was received by His Beatitude Theophilos, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of members of the Holy Sepulcher.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude informed Mr Magro on the Patriarchate’s religious, cultural and pacifying work, especially today, when extreme religious and political elements cause confusion, insecurity and terror in the Middle East and across the world.

In contrast to this, said His Beatitude, the Patriarchate projects the importance of peace and the position that Jerusalem owes to maintain its status and remain the spiritual capital of all Christians and humanity as a whole, because it is here where the blood of the prophets and of our Lord Jesus Christ was shed. Jerusalem, especially the Old City, remains “one great ecumenical monastery”. If Jerusalem does not maintain its character and if war is to be proclaimed in the city, this war will expand across the world, with international results and consequences.

The French Consul-General thanked Hi Beatitude for the update and expressed interest in contributing to the work of the Patriarchate.

From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/CRwLtalXdrk