The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine participated in the official reception of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and of All Palestine and Jordan, on the occasion of the Feast of Epiphany. The reception was held at the headquarters of the Jericho and the Jordan Valley Governorate.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the official spokesperson of the Patriarchate, Father Issa Musleh, His Beatitude emphasized the profound spiritual and historical significance of the city of Jericho and reaffirmed the enduring message of the Holy Land, founded on peace, love, and justice. He also called for an end to wars and destruction and for the consolidation of the values of justice and fairness as the true foundation for any lasting peace.
For his part, the Deputy Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Ismail Abu Jaber, conveyed the greetings of Governor Hussein Hamayel, stressing the depth of national unity and social cohesion. He stated, “The bells of our churches, standing alongside our mosques, reflect a message of unity that resonates throughout the world.” praising the spirit of brotherhood among the Palestinian people.
The reception was attended by a number of bishops and clergy, the Consul General of Greece, Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, and his deputy, the Regional Commander Brigadier General Mutib Atawneh, as well as the heads of the security and police services, in addition to several dignitaries and community leaders from the governorate. Representing the Higher Presidential Committee were the Acting Director General, Ms. Hadeel Mashriqi, and the Director of Public Relations and Media, Mr. Raed Hanania.
The participation of the Committee comes within the framework of its national and official role in marking Christian religious occasions and strengthening partnership with the churches and official institutions, in affirmation of the unity of the Palestinian national fabric and the central place of Christian feasts within the inclusive Palestinian identity.
