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Πατριαρχείον Ιεροσολύμων
STATEMENT OF THE THREE MAJOR COMMUNITIES FOR THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE REGARDING COVID-19
On
Friday, March, 7/20, 2020, the Three Major Communities with the
pilgrimage responsibility for the All-holy Shrines, namely the
Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Custody of the Holy Land
of the Franciscans, and the Patriarchate of the Armenians in Jerusalem,
released a Statement, specifying to the faithful Christians that the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with the Horrendous Golgotha and the
All-Holy Tomb will remain open for the services, according to the
existing Status Quo, and that they may come for their prayer, conforming
to the instructions of the Local Authorities in order to protect their
health. The Statement follows below;
“Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our world is currently experiencing a time of crisis and emergency,
whereas many countries and nations are combating the spread of
COVID-19. In many places around the globe, the infection is spreading
rapidly and the victims are consistently increasing. The World Health
Organization has declared the situation as a global pandemic.
In front of this dangerous situation, governments worldwide mobilized
to resist and restrain the spread of this virus. In many places severe
measures were adopted which resulted in restrictions of movement of
persons maintaining operative only crucial facilities.
This dangerous situation has not passed over the Holy Land and the
Holy City of Jerusalem in which all Sons of Abraham Jews, Christians and
Muslims are raising their prayers to God Almighty. We are called to
live this time in faith and confidence in the Lord’s mercy and His care
for all His creatures.
At the same time, we are called to adhere to the instructions of the
competent civil authorities enacted to ensure the safety and well-being
of the entire population.
Therefore, we the Heads of the Churches in charge of the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem urge everyone to abide fully by the
provisions for the public health, as they are published from time to
time.
The communities living within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will
continue the ordinary life of the Church in conformity with the
instructions for the public health. We will be united spiritually in our
aim to preserve the centuries’ long tradition of ongoing prayers in the
Church even in these sad times when pilgrims cannot reach Jerusalem and
local faithful are compelled to remain at their homes.
Accordingly, while maintaining the Church open we urge the worshipers to:
Refrain from any gatherings of more than 10 people in the same place and at the same time in the Basilica.
Keep a minimal distance of 2 meters between each person.Avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, touching icons, vestments and the personnel in the Basilica.
To abide always by the instructions of the authorities.
The Holy Sepulchre is the ultimate place of hope. Hope that faith
will defeat doubt, light will defeat darkness and life will triumph over
death. From this Holy Place and in this time of spiritual preparation
for Easter and of global crisis we join our prayers to those of faithful
of all religions, asking for the end of this pandemic. We pray for all
those afflicted by the virus around the world and express our sympathy
and gratitude to those who assist and take care of the victims.
THEOPHILOS III FRANCESCO PATTON ARCH. NOURHAN MANOUGIAN
Greek Orthodox Custos of the Holy Land Armenian Patriarch
Patriarch of Jerusalem
of Jerusalem
