Patriarchs and Church Leaders in Jerusalem Condemn Christian Zionism and Call for Unity Among Christian Communities

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land have issued a statement affirming their role as the sole representatives of the Christian communities in the region. They emphasize that the Christian flock in the Holy Land is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have carried out their sacred ministry with unwavering devotion for centuries. The statement addresses recent activities by individuals promoting ideologies such as Christian Zionism, which the churches claim mislead the public, create confusion, and undermine the unity of the Christian community.

These activities, according to the statement, have gained support from certain political figures in Israel and beyond, who are perceived to be advancing a political agenda that could jeopardize the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the broader Middle East. The churches express concern that such individuals have been welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally, which they argue constitutes interference in the internal affairs of the churches and a disregard for the pastoral responsibilities entrusted to them.

The statement reiterates that the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem are the sole representatives of the Christian communities in matters related to religious, communal, and pastoral life in the Holy Land. They stress that any claim to authority outside the communion of the Church is harmful to the unity of the faithful and burdens the pastoral mission of the historic churches in the land where Jesus lived, taught, suffered, and rose from the dead.

The churches call upon the Lord, who is the Shepherd and Guardian of souls, to grant wisdom for the protection of His people and the preservation of His witness in this sacred land. They reference Romans 12:5, which teaches that “we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another,” underscoring the importance of unity among believers.

The statement serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility of the Christian communities in the Holy Land to uphold their spiritual mission and maintain harmony in the face of external influences. It highlights the need for vigilance against ideologies that could threaten the integrity and presence of Christianity in the region. The churches remain committed to their pastoral duties and the protection of their communities, seeking divine guidance to navigate the challenges they face.

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