February 27, 2018
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued the following statement regarding the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Statement on the re-opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
27 February 2018
We, the heads of Churches in charge of the Holy Sepulcher and the Status Quo governing the various Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem – the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land and the Armenian Patriarchate – give thanks to God for the statement released earlier today by Prime Minister Netanyahu and offer our gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly to uphold the Christian presence in Jerusalem and to defend the Status Quo.
After the constructive intervention of the Prime Minister, The Churches look forward to engage with Minister Hanegbi, and with all those who love Jerusalem to ensure that Our Holy City, where our Christian presence continues to face challenges, remains a place where the three Monotheistic faiths may live and thrive together.
Following these recent developments we hereby announce that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, that is the site of the crucifixion of Our Lord andalso of His Resurrection, will be reopened to the pilgrims tomorrow, February 28th, 2018 at 4.00 AM
THEOPHILOS III FRANCESCO PATTON NOURHAN MANOUGIAN
Patriarch of Jerusalem Custos of the Holy Land Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
