HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL DOCUMENT

Draft Synodical Document

Σάββατο 28 Μαρτίου 2020

IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC: PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS III EXEMPTS TENANTS OF THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM FROM RENT FOR THE YEAR 2020


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.