Haifa, 15 October 2012

Your Excellency, Mr. President, Distinguished Fellow Religious Leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen,

“Jacob said… ‘Surely the Lord is in this place… How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. “, (Gen. 28:16-17).

We to whom the joy, the privilege and the responsibility have been given to live in the Holy Land are the guardians and the servants of both sacred history and of a God-given heritage. This is a history and a heritage that belong to no one people or tradition exclusively, but to the whole of humanity.

The unique circumstances of the co-existence of Jew, Christian, and Muslim in our region are the necessary sign to the world that the Holy Land is the home of every human heart, and the sum of ail human longing.

There can be no doubt of the love that we who live here have for this land and for the Holy Places that are the tangible evidence to us that God has chosen to dwell among us. For in this Holy Land, each of us can say with the patriarch Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

We have Holy Places that are special to our respective communities of faith, and which we hold in special devotion. And there are Holy Places that we share, for in the sacred history of this region there are many ties that bind us.

Whether the Holy Sites are specific to our respective traditions, or whether they are shared among us, they demand from us all equal attentiveness and protection. We dwell together in this land, Jew, Christian and Muslim, and in consequence we share a common destiny: what affects one community affects us all, for good or ill.

The Holy Places remind us that our region can never be a place of simple tourism. It has always been, and must always continue to be, a place of genuine pilgrimage. Even the casual visitor does not leave unaffected by the Holy Places.   Here there is still the breaking in of God into our human existence; here countless people of faith, as well as those of goodwill who profess no particular faith, come face to face with eternity, and are changed.

We know, Mr. President, of your care for and support of all the peoples of the Holy Land, and your commitment to respectful, peaceful co-existence. As we have faced recent and disturbing desecrations of Holy Sites recently, we urge you to do all in your power and in the power of the authorities, to support the communities who are the guardians and the servants of all our Holy Sites.

The hearts and minds of all our peoples are shaped by the strength of our leadership in both civic and religious life, and we know of your concern for the integrity of the precious heritage of our beloved Holy Land. The world looks to the Holy Land in hope, and in ensuring the well-being of our Holy Sites, we allow the divine light that shines from our land to reach the whole human family.

May God bless us all as we seek to be faithful to our callings. Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS  III

Patriarch of Jerusalem.

One of the religious obligations of the Orthodox world is to support and strengthen the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which provides in the Holy Land a spiritual oasis for the local Christian community, for pilgrims who come here and indeed for the international community.

This is the liturgical reflection of the blessing of our unity in diversity in which we live in the ecumenical Orthodox Church.

Your Excellency,

In an unprecedented act, the Israeli water utility company, “Gihon”, imposed a “Charge” of millions of shekels upon the bank accounts of Our Patriarchate thus rendering them frozen and inactive.

This was conducted by the administration staff of Gihon Company, in a move which totally disregards and undermines the sanctity as well as the sensitivity of the Shrine of the Holy Sepulchre.

Imposing such an unjust act amounts to an attempt to change the De-facto situation which constitutes a fundamental breach of the “Status Quo”, legally existing for centuries, that guards the Holy Sepulchre and, for hundreds of years, grants the use of free water supply servicing the millions of pilgrims that journey to the Holy Land.

We gravely fear such acts as they may impact the pilgrim’s customary practices and lead to the unimaginable closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

We call out for Your Excellency’s immediate intervention to cause the upholding of the Status Quo and to stop this offensive conduct against the sacred Holy Sepulchre of Jesus Christ, the most ancient and holy shrine for Christians of the World.

With best wishes and Patriarchal blessings,

THEOPHILOS III,

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM.

Istanbul, 14 of October 2012

 Esteemed Fellow Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we gather in this great city, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, we greet you with the peace ofJerusalem, a peace that is meant for the whole world. We are here as a testimony to history, and we acknowledge that we stand in the presence of many who have the power to make history.

Our gathering presents a precious opportunity to deepen our commitment to the common ground we share, our common human condition, and the aspiration that we all have for a better life for the entire human family.

By virtue of our standing in our communities, the positions of leadership we hold, and the knowledge we have, we are able to shape in, and evoke from, our people enduring  values  and  commitments. From  these values  and commitments in  them and in their children, as well as in many circles of thought and in our cultures at large, come transformative actions in all walks of life.

Our meeting is indeed important and timely. For in the world at large, and in our region, there are dramatic developments that indicate a future that is, at present, unpredictable.

Our calling is to take responsibility, each in our own circle of significant influence, to make a better history for humanity as we live into this uncertain future. We do this primarily by choosing always to side firmly with peace, tolerance, and co-existence, and by holding fast to our common values. They are like a golden thread that connects our faiths. In these ways we can help to create the best possible future for all our peoples. Let us never underestimate the power that we have to do this.

 Since we have been asked to speak from our experience, let us say this.

The Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Holy Land is the embodiment of the history ofJerusalem, and has existed from the very beginning of the Christianity. As part of this history, it is no exaggeration to say that the well-known Covenant of Omar has played a crucial role since the convergence of Christianity and Islam in theHoly Landfor 1400 years.

In 638 CE Omar ibn Al-Khattab, who was the second Khalifa, entered Jerusalem at the head of a Muslim army. He entered the city on foot, as a gesture of humility, and there was no bloodshed. On the contrary, those who wanted to leave were allowed to do so with their possessions and were guaranteed a safe passage, while those who wanted to stay were granted protection for their lives, their property, and their places of worship. The Khalifa Omar even took steps to ensure the continued future of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a place of Christian worship.

This is the most authentic version of the Covenant as established by the majority of Arab and Muslim historians, and we shall read parts of it because of its significance for our conversations here:

 “In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

 “This is an assurance of peace and protection given by the servant of Allah Omar, Commander of the Believers to the people of Aelia (Jerusalem). He gave them an assurance of protection for their lives, property, churches and crosses as well as the sick and healthy and all its religious community.

 Their churches shall not be occupied, demolished nor taken away wholly or in part. None of their crosses or property shall be seized. They shall not be coerced in their religion nor shall any of them be injured…

 He who leaves shall be guaranteed safety for his life and property until he reaches his safe heaven.  He who stays shall also be safe, in which case he shall pay as much tax as the people of Aelia do.

 Should any of the people of Aelia wish to move together with their property along with the Rum and to clear out their churches and crosses, they shall be guaranteed safety for their lives, churches and crosses, until they have reached their safe haven… He who wishes to move along with the Romans may do so, and he who wishes to return home to his kinsfolk may do so.

 Nothing shall be taken from them until their crops have been harvested. To the contents of this Covenant here are given the Covenant of Allah, the guarantees of His Messenger, the Khalifas and the Believers, provided they (the people of Aelia) pay their due Jizya tax.

 Witnesses hereto are Khaled ibn AI-Waleed, Abdul-Rahman ibn  ‘Auf, Amr ibn Al-‘Aas and Mu’awiya ibn abi-Sufyan. Made and executed in the year 15 Hijri.”

The Covenant of Omar is significant in many respects, and we shall highlight several observations:

1)    The document was signed by four of the most eminent companions of the Khalifa, while traditionally just two witnesses were sufficient.

2)    Though concise, the Covenant is very detailed, well organized, clear and legally ordered, leaving no space for different or conflicting interpretations.

3)    The wording leaves no doubt of the great importance that Omar attached to the duty of all to abide by its provisions.

4)    Most importantly, of course, the Covenant provided for rights and privileges of non-Muslims. In an all-encompassing manner it provided for basic rights and freedoms, especially:

a)   The freedom of religion, the safety and protection of churches and crosses.

b)  The right to life and dignity.

c)   The right to property.

d)  The freedoms of ordinary citizens, providing that the religious community abides by the laws of the State.

e)   Full respect of other communities and the prevailing culture.

Later in our history, Salah al-Din, although he was a conqueror ofJerusalemand theHoly Land, also ruled with these principles.

So we see in the Covenant of Omar and in the attitude of many of his successors right up to the Ottoman period that this Covenant was renewed and reconfirmed by various firmans issued by the Sublime Porte. So the enduring values of the Covenant continue to be relevant to us in our day. For they have been respected and maintained by modern international agreements and by the States that have ruled the region of theHoly Land.

 In conclusion, let us say this.

 In light of all that our region is experiencing, the various ethic and religious communities that have been at home in our region and have adopted the unique culture that has emerged from the co-existence of the religious traditions of their respective communities are anxious about the future. This is so because unexpectedly their established system of governance has shifted and has caused them uncertainty. This is why many are forced to flee a region that for them is their homeland.

In our understanding, the Covenant of Omar can once again be considered as a paradigm that gives us valuable insights in the manner in which we consider the role of religion and its free expression and practice. For instance, we must always uphold the mutual respect between our various ethnic communities, communities which are in fact defined by their religious tradition.

From our historical experience as the Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Covenant of Omar has served as the basis of the ongoing life of Christians in Jerusalem and the broader area of the Middle East. We do believe that an interpretation and application to our modern world of this document can be a viable basis for understanding the relationship of religion and freedom, freedom of religious minorities, with their appropriate rights and responsibilities.

 This is how we understand the interaction between religion and freedom.

 The Rum Orthodox Patriarchate is prepared to continue to support any means by which such firm bases for our common life and common destiny are strengthened, and we are grateful to this Forum for allowing us to highlight our concerns and away forward to which we are committed.

 Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III

Patriarch of Jerusalem

Brussels, 17^th of September 2012.

Your Excellency,

 We would like first of all to thank you personally and your colleagues for receiving us in you office today.

We have come here in our capacity as the spiritual leaders of the Christians of the Middle East, including, of course, Cyprus.

The actual purpose of this visit to you, Mr. President, is to raise awareness and discuss the unpredictable situation of the Middle East Christians, who in fact constitute an inseparable part of the indigenous local and regional population.

We are profoundly concerned about the predicament of the many thousands of Syrian refugees, among them a great number of Christians, who have taken refuge in countries like Lebanon and Jordan, countries that are under our spiritual jurisdiction.

Needless to say that we have been actively engaged, as church leaders, in helping and alleviating the terrible plight of the refugees, without any discrimination.

We, as members of the Middle East Council of Churches, have joined all our forces in order to financially and materially assist the refugees. For instance, a container of medical supplies, clothing and food from the Church of Cyprus is on the way to the Za’ atari refugee camp, in Jordan.

 Our Eastern Orthodox Church Middle East Office in Amman is fully operational in this respect.

 Mr. President,

 We are here to share with you our own experience and make our appeal to every person or organization of good will for the need of the Christian presence in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Palestine and, of course, let us not forget Egypt and Africa. It is already obvious that the Middle East and its broader area has turned into a volcano in progress.

Ours is the moral and religious responsibility to manage to defuse, if not to stop the explosion of this politically and to be more precise, religiously explosive situation. We stress this because this constitutes part and parcel of the various concrete initiatives that we have already undertaken.

We firmly believe that the European Union and other international bodies have the ability to intervene and to put an end to the unnecessary bloodshed of innocent people and to any form of violence that is taking place supposedly in the name of God.

In this regard, please allow us to suggest the following actions that should be considered; a) promotion of education through relevant projects, i.e. schools, Universities and Cultural Centers for the academic study of comparative religion, b) combating prejudice and bigotry and in many cases cultural and religious exclusiveness, which are the symptoms of polarization, discrimination and hatred against the other.

The mission of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates/Churches of the Middle East and Africa is of paramount importance, because our eastern Christianity does not bear the traces of imported and ‘alien culture’, that is to say Crusades and Colonialism. On the contrary, our compatriots and co-citizens have found us there. This is how we have culturally and historically grown up together. And this is why we reject the notion of ‘Clash of Civilisations’. ”

Once again, we would like to assure you, Mr. President, that we are willing and available, to cooperate with you and your services in working for peace and stability in our Middle East region and beyond.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III,

Patriarch of Jerusalem

The Middle East region has historically and religiously been declared a meeting place and a host of the three monotheistic religions; that is Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This is due to the fact, that the Middle East is inextricably associated with the sacred history of these faiths.

We thank you for this immense effort. We pray to the almighty God to enlighten in our deliberations and endeavors”.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III,

Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Holy City of Jerusalem, 27 of June 2012

 Granting of the National Decoration of the Order of “Manuel Amador Guerrero” in the grade of “Great Cross” to

His Most Godly Beatitude, the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, Arabia, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy

Zion, THEOPHILUS III

“Good Morning, His Most Godly Beatitude, the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, Arabia, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion, Theophilus III,

Eminences and Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy of Jerusalem,

 Distinguished Guests and Friends,

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

 It is with great joy that I extend a fraternal greeting to all gathered here today, in representation of His Excellency Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency Roberto Henriquez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic, and in the name of the people of my country, in order to award the Republic of Panama’s National Decoration of the Order of “Manuel Amador Guerrero” in the grade of “Great Cross” to His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III.

As Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations, and particularly as a devout member of the Orthodox Faith, allow me humbly express the profound sentiment of honor that it is to be in this sacred city and before your Holy

Beatitude, as an envoy of the people of Panama in the justified granting of our Nation’s most distinguished decoration.

The Order of “Manuel Amador Guerrero”, named after the first president of our Republic, was created by the Government of Panama on 29 October 1953, marking the fiftieth anniversary of our Independence, to award exceptional civil, scientific, artistic and humanitarian services and merits.

This National Decoration represents the Government of Panama’s recognition of His Holy Beatitude’s relevant merits, exemplary personal integrity and His outstanding contribution to the Orthodox Church around the world, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy of Jerusalem’s custodianship of the Holy Land and its historic, cultural and natural heritage, which are a patrimony of all mankind.

The Government of Panama welcomes His Holy Beatitude’s religious leadership, and His advocacy for peace and interfaith dialogue is duly recognized as an extension of God’s work on Earth and a dissemination of the Lord Jesus Christ’s message of unconditional love and reconciliation. In these times of international tension, sociopolitical upheaval and economic hardship, the agency and goodwill of the Orthodox Church is of critical significance. Panama duly acknowledges His Holy Beatitude, Theophilus Ill’s vital role in inculcating this Word of Faith that leads the way to moral rectitude, redemption and salvation, across all borders and social barriers. For that, our people will be forever grateful.

Panama harbors a growing community of around one thousand strong-and-growing members of the Orthodox Church. This community, tracing its roots to the construction of the Panama Canal and one of many convivial Panamanian ethnicities, is known by the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of Central America’s largest and most organized. Our first Greek Orthodox

Church, in honor of Saint Anthony, was built in my hometown of Colon in 1937.

It is for these and many more reasons that it pleases His Excellency Ricardo Martinelli, President of the Republic of Panama, to bestow upon His Holy Beatitude, Theophilus III, the Order of “Manuel Amador Guerrero” in the grade of “Great Cross”, and it is my profound honor and pleasure to present it to Your Holiness in the name of my Government and our people. It is the hope of the Government and peoples of our Republic, that the bonds of friendship and cooperation we share with the Orthodox Church continue to grow, develop and strengthen, now and forevermore”.

Words by His Excellency Pablo Antonio Thalassinos, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of The Republic of Panama to the United Nations.

Holy City of Jerusalem, 27 of June 2012.

[UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION]

 DECREE NUMBER 194 of 1 June 2012

by which is granted the National Decoration of the Order of “MANUEL AMADOR GUERRERO”, created by Law 22 of 29 October 1953.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC using his legal powers,

CONSIDERING:

 FIRST: His Most Godly Beatitude, the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, Arabia, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion, THEOPHILUS III, one hundred forty-first (141) descendent of James and elected primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem on 22 August 2005, and under whose responsibility lies the protection and preservation of the Holy Sepulcher and the Holy Shrines:

SECOND: His Most Godly Beatitude Patriarch THEOPHILUS III of Jerusalem, born in Gargalianes, city of Triflya of Messinia, in 1952. Studied Theology in the University of Athens, completed a Masters in Durham, England, and also studied in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Along with his Greek native language, dominates English, Arab and Hebrew;

THIRD: His Most Godly Beatitude Patriarch THEOPHILUS III of Jerusalem has undertaken important positions such as Archdeacon for then Patriarch Benedict I, priest of Cana of Galilee, Archbishop of Tabor, Secretary of Holy and Sacred Synod, responsible for the Press and Information Office of the Patriarchate, among others. He was also part of the Nour al Masih society, empowered to spread the Orthodox Christian faith. Has participated as exhibitor in diverse seminars and scientific conferences in Jerusalem and Greece;

FOURTH: That it constitutes a great honor for the National Government by means of this decoration to recognize His Most Godly Beatitude Patriarch THEOPHILUS III of Jerusalem, a man of proven personal integrity and loyal belief in the Orthodox Church, whom in his laudable labor and permanent watchfulness, continues guiding his work with the only end of serving God with devotion and further inculcate among us faith in Him.

DECREES:

SOLE ARTICLE: To grant the National Decoration of the Order of” MANUEL AMADOR GUERRERO”, in the Grade of “Great Cross”, to His Most Godly Beatitude Patriarch THEOPHILUS III of Jerusalem, for his relevant merits.

FOR COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATION.

Given in the city of Panama, on day 1 of the month of June of the year two-thousand twelve (2012).

[SIGNATURE] RiCARDO MARTINELLI B. President of the Republic

[SIGNATURE] ROBERTO C. HENRIQUEZ Minister for Foreign Affairs

Jordan River, 26 June 2012.

Address of Welcome to His Excellency Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation on the Occasion of his Visit to the Baptism Site Jordan.

Esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Your Royal Highness,

Dear distinguished guest,

 We welcome you, Your Excellency, to this Holy Site where Our Lord Jesus Christ received baptism at the hands of the Holy Forerunner John the Baptist. From the earliest days of the life of the Church, pilgrims have come here, as you have done today, not simply to commemorate the event of Our Lord’s baptism, but also to re commit themselves to their own spiritual renewal.

As Your Excellency knows well, the Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have always enjoyed an intimate and historical relationship, His Majesty King Abdullah II, following in the footsteps of his late father and his late grandfather, in a heritage that extends back to Omar ibn al – Khattab and Patriarch Sophronios, honours the ministry of the Patriarch as the senior Church leader of this region, and he recognizes the pastoral and ecclesiastical mission of the Patriarchate for all Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land, both residents and pilgrims.

Every year we welcome a great number of pilgrims to the Holy Land, many of whom come from Russia. Pilgrims to the Holy Places are an integral part of our life and mission here, and Jordan is well known for its gracious hospitality to pilgrims. His Majesty has been a consummate leader in this region in ensuring the value of freedom of worship, and the Hashemite Kingdom has supported the accessibility and the development of the Baptism Site.

As we are surrounded here by the serenity and sanctity of this place, we wish Your Excellency a successful visit to this region, and we pray God’s blessing on all the people of your beloved country.

Thank you.

His Beatitude

THEOPHILOS III,

Patriarch of Jerusalem