THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY SPONSORS THE RESTORATION OF THE HOLY AEDICULA
On Monday, the 4th/17th of October 2016, the Heads of the three major Christian Communities, namely Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, f. Francesco, Custos in the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem, H.B. Nourhan Manougian, and their entourages, met with the President of the Palestinian State, His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas Abu-Mazen. During the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos addressed the President on behalf of the Patriarchate and the other two Communities. In Arabic, the address may be reached here: http://www.jo-newsgate.net/ar/2016/10/17/24794
In his reply speech, the President expressed his joy over the meeting and for the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims within the Palestinian State. He also posited that Christians are not considered a majority in this State, but its integral part, that they in fact preceded Muslims in the Holy Land, and that Christian Churches are considered by Muslims as holy sites, just like their mosques. Therefore, Mr Abbas added, the Palestinian Authority offers 150.000 euro as contribution to the restoration project on the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Heads of the three Communities thanked the President for his donation and wished him every success in his efforts to complete the recognition process of the State of Palestine.
From the Secretariat-General