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IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC: PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS III EXEMPTS TENANTS OF THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM FROM RENT FOR THE YEAR 2020
Jerusalem 28-3-2020
Following the noble initiative of His Majesty King
Abdullah II of Jordan, Hashemite Custodian of the Islamic and Christian
Holy Sites in the Holy Land, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude
Patriarch Theophilos III, today exempted all tenants of properties of
the Orthodox Church within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem from
rent for the year 2020. This action is taken in support of the diverse
community of Jerusalem, and to enhance the steadfastness of its
residents in light of the exceptional circumstances of the Coronavirus
epidemic.
Patriarch Theophilos said that the Orthodox Patriarchate
of Jerusalem wants to support the local community materially and
morally to face the difficulties associated with the Coronavirus
epidemic, adding that the doors of the Patriarchate are open to every
person who needs help in facing the current circumstances, and called on
everyone to adhere to the instructions of the authorities regarding
social distancing, home isolation and taking the necessary measures to
overcome the crisis. His Beatitude prayed that Almighty God would lift
the epidemic and send down His mercy upon his creation.
Father Issa Musleh, spokesperson for the Orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said that His Beatitude Theophilos III is
working to increase the effectiveness of the Patriarchate’s institutions
in facing the epidemic of the Coronavirus. Father Musleh added that in
addition to this most recent step, the Patriarchate has led a campaign
to support the residents of the Governorate of Bethlehem through the
distribution of 1,200 food parcels, and has donated fifty thousand
Jordanian Dinars to the Jordanian Ministry of Health. These are a matter
of social responsibility, drawing on the Church’s commitment to serve
the community, and to provide everything possible in support of people
in these difficult circumstances.
