Representing President Mahmoud Abbas, Khouri Receives Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria in Bethlehe
Representing President Mahmoud Abbas, Dr. Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, received today in Bethlehem His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, who is visiting the Holy Land for the first time since his election to the patriarchal see.
His Beatitude arrived accompanied by an official church delegation for a visit of particular ecclesiastical and spiritual significance.
The Patriarch was formally received in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity by His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos, Patriarchal Represntative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, in the presence of Bethlehem Governor Mohammad Taha, Deputy Mayor of Bethlehem Jeries Qara’a, the Mayor of Beit Sahour, representatives of the security and police forces, clergy, heads and members of Orthodox associations, dignitaries, and representatives of the Franciscan Custody and the Armenian Church. The reception ceremony was led by the Greek Orthodox Scout Group.
Following the official reception, His Beatitude entered the Church of the Nativity and visited the Grotto of the Nativity, where prayers were offered in the presence of clergy and guests.
Welcoming His Beatitude and the accompanying delegation on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, Dr. Khouri expressed his appreciation for the Patriarch’s visit to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the spiritual and humanitarian significance of the visit.
Dr. Khouri underscored the importance of visits by Church leaders to the Holy Land, highlighting their role in standing alongside the Palestinian people and supporting the deeply rooted Christian presence in Palestine.
For his part, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, noting that the Holy Land has, throughout history, endured invasions, wars, and difficult periods. Despite these hardships, he said, its people have remained strong and steadfast, holding firmly to their land and faith.
The Patriarch called for steadfastness and prayer, affirming his message of solidarity with the people of the Holy Land: “God is with you.”
Also attending the reception on behalf of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine were Committee members Dr. Khouloud Daibes and Jihad Khair, and Director of Public Relations and Media Raed Hanania.
