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HIS BEATITUDE ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING A POLICE STATION ON MOUNT ZION

May 19, 2015

 

We greet you this morning to express our appreciation for the police authority’s initiative to open a station in such a religiously essential location of our beloved Holy City

We in the Holy Land, who share Abrahamic heritage and tradition, know that Jerusalem shines to the world as an example of authentic symbiosis and peace amid diversity. But we also know from experience that in our mission to maintain accessibility of holy places to all people, there will always be a need for order and security.

Bearing this in mind, We hope that this thoughtful move on behalf of the police authority will be a starting point for Our mission to further bear fruits in this outstanding, yet sensitive, holy place.

As one of the most important destinations in the Holy Land for all religious communities, especially Jews, Muslims and Christians, it should be said that Mount Zion is a place that is indeed powerfully connected with the descent of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is within these very days that the Church celebrates Holy Pentecost, a religious observance that has roots in the Old Testament and continues to be observed by both Jews and Christians.

Mount Zion, “the holy habitation of the- Almighty (Psalms 46-4),” i.e., the Holy Spirit is a beacon, like the burning bush of the Old Testament, enlightening those who venerate this holy place, and consuming those who desecrate it. For, on this very Mount is the Tomb of David and the Upper Room, where the disciples of Jesus Christ were gathered and awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit.

We wish you success in your mission to safeguard the holy places and all the inhabitants of our beloved Holy City of Jerusalem.

Thank you.

 

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem