Greece Pledges Funding to Restore Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Sofia Zacharaki is pictured with Pat. Theophilos III of Jerusalem. Photo: Sofia Zacharaki/Facebook

ATHENS — Greece will allocate funds for the restoration and improvement of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Minister Sofia Zacharaki announced during a Nov. 23 visit to the Holy Land marking the 20th anniversary of Pat. Theophilos III’s enthronement.

As published by the Greek Reporter, Zacharaki said the decision continues Greece’s decades-long support for the Jerusalem Patriarchate and aims to safeguard major Christian holy sites. She called the Patriarchate’s spiritual and pastoral mission an unchanging beacon for the region and reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to cooperation and assistance.

She highlighted the ongoing role of the Patriarchal School of Zion, which receives Greek teachers and educational materials, and noted that Athens is in regular dialogue with church officials to strengthen pastoral, educational, and social programs, especially for schools and communities in difficulty.

During meetings with Pat. Theophilos III, Zacharaki expressed interest in resuming the work of the Holy Cross Theological School and expanding cooperation with Greek universities. The Greek delegation also visited Bethlehem and the Patriarchal School of Saint Zion, where they discussed restoration of the Grotto of the Nativity and the challenges facing local Christians.

Officials in Athens say the new funding has both spiritual and cultural significance, supporting a site central to the Christian faith and aiding vulnerable communities in the Middle East.

"I left with profound gratitude," Zacharaki said in a social media post about her visit.

Previously, UOJ reported that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance made a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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