PC(USA) delegation meets Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III in Jerusalem, Israel

A delegation of six members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met for almost an hour on Tuesday with His Beatitude Theophilus III, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Greek Orthodox Church, according to a report from the denomination’s Presbyterian News Service. The report describes the patriarch as generous with his time and quick to smile.

The meeting included Rev. Jihyun Oh, Permanent Secretary of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the Provisional Unified Agency. The report says the PC(USA) group meets with people and organizations from Jordan and Israel-Palestine who carry out ministry in their contexts and work for human rights and other deep needs in the region. The delegation’s talk with the patriarch centered on cooperation and companionship in difficult times.

The patriarch said he had hoped to attend the Sunday inauguration and consecration of the new bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, as the PC(USA) delegation did, but he had to bless the marriage of a young theology student. “We have high expectations placed on him,” he said, “to preach the good news to our community.” He also said that he frequently meets visitors, including recent visits by reformed rabbis and Vice President JD Vance. The report notes that as many as 500,000 Greek Orthodox faithful are in Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

On the region’s challenges, the patriarch said that “all problems arise from ignorance,” because people do not know the religion, values and history of others. He said it is important to hold meetings to keep people informed. He told visitors that the church of Jerusalem, with offices on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, “was founded in the place of the Cross,” and that it contributes to “ensure the unity of all Christians.” He said that what continues to unite Christians is the tomb, a shared place of faith that reflects the value of unity (John 17:21).

The report says the patriarch took Vance to the tomb during the vice president’s visit. “He asked us to pray for peace, and we did it,” the patriarch said. He added that he regards most Christians who come to the city as coming first as Christians, regardless of their origin or confession, and that he sees the places of crucifixion, burial and resurrection as places that open their hearts, though he acknowledged these sites have not been historically proven.

The patriarch also spoke about what he called “our human predicament.” He said people should be treated with love and accepted from the heart, regardless of their political opinions. He pointed to Jesus’ instruction to love one’s neighbor and said that Jesus goes further, calling believers to love their enemies. He described this as difficult but not impossible, and said that looking forward rather than back is what leadership requires.

When Oh asked whether there was “a prayer that we can pray for you,” the patriarch suggested the “Our Father” and “Psalm 50, ‘a favorite psalm of David.'”

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)