The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine participated today in the celebration marking the centennial of Al-Maskobiya Church in Hebron. The event brought together religious and official delegations from Palestine, Russia, and Greece in a deeply spiritual atmosphere that reflected the enduring and deeply rooted Christian presence in the land of Palestine.
Among the attendees were His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan; Metropolitan Antonios, Head of the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations; Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov; several bishops from Russia and Greece; Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), Head of the Russian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem; the Mission’s advisor in the Palestinian territory, Yuri Romashuk; Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin; Deputy Governor Dr. Rafiq Al-Jabari; along with a number of clergy and worshippers from across Palestine. The Higher Presidential Committee was represented by Dr. Samir Hazboun, member of the Committee, Bethlehem Office Director Jihad Khair, and Director of Public Relations and Media Raed Hanania.
The celebration commenced with a solemn festive mass led by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, with the participation of a large number of priests and worshippers. This was followed by an official reception and welcoming remarks emphasizing the religious and historical symbolism of the occasion and its role in strengthening the roots of the Christian faith in Palestine.
Representing the Higher Presidential Committee, Dr. Samir Hazboun delivered remarks on behalf of His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas and Dr. Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine. He conveyed their warm greetings and deep appreciation for this significant occasion, noting Dr. Khouri’s great interest in the celebration and his regret for not being able to attend in person. In his address, Dr. Hazboun highlighted the spiritual and historical importance of the Holy Oak as a living witness to the steadfastness and continuity of the Christian faith in Palestine and as a lasting symbol of peace and unity among peoples.
In his sermon, Patriarch Theophilos III affirmed that “our faith is as deeply rooted as the olive tree, and the light of Christ within us shall never be extinguished as long as this land continues to breathe life.” He reiterated that the Church will always remain a living testimony to the authentic Christian presence in the Holy Land.
During the ceremony, Dr. Hazboun presented a commemorative gift on behalf of Dr. Ramzi Khouri to Metropolitan Antonios in recognition of his participation and presence.
Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), Head of the Russian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, expressed his pride in the strong spiritual ties that unite the Russian Church with the churches of Palestine. He extended his appreciation to Dr. Khouri and the Higher Presidential Committee and its staff for their ongoing cooperation and support in strengthening the presence and service of the Russian Church in the Holy Land.
For his part, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov commended the efforts of the Palestinian leadership and the Higher Presidential Committee in safeguarding Christian holy sites and supporting the Christian community in Palestine. He expressed his deep appreciation for their continuous dedication and commitment to these vital causes.
The Higher Presidential Committee also extended its gratitude to the Palestinian security apparatus for their efforts in securing and organizing the event, ensuring its smooth proceedings in a manner that reflected Palestine’s spirit of unity.
The celebration concluded with messages emphasizing the importance of preserving and nurturing the deep roots of the Christian faith in Palestine, reaffirming that the Oak Tree of Hebron will forever remain a symbol of steadfast Christian faith, peace, and coexistence among peoples.
The Holy Oak (Al-Maskobiya) Church is regarded as one of the most prominent religious and historical landmarks in Palestine. Built by the Russian Orthodox Mission in 1925 on the site known as Mamre, the church commemorates the biblical story of the Lord’s appearance to Abraham near the blessed oak tree – a symbol of faith and hospitality. With its distinctive architecture and deep connection to the historic tree, the church stands as a profound testament to the enduring Christian presence in the Holy Land and to the timeless message of peace that radiated from it to the world.
