Ambassador meets Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III

On February 28, 2025, Ambassador of Belarus to Israel, Yury Yaroshyevich, was received at his residence in Jerusalem by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem is the Head of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian churches. He is responsible for the spiritual leadership of Orthodox believers in the Holy Land, the protection of Christian holy sites, and participates in inter-church and interfaith dialogues, contributing to the preservation of peace and stability in the region.

During the meeting, Yury Yaroshyevich highlighted the importance of the anniversaries celebrated in 2025 for Orthodox believers in Belarus:

the 900th Anniversary of the founding of the Spaso-Euphrosyne Women’s Monastery in Polotsk, the 555th Anniversary of the discovery of the miraculous Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God, and the 505th Anniversary of the Holy Assumption Zhirovichi Stavropegial Monastery.

Both Sides emphasized the importance of preserving spiritual heritage and strengthening cultural and religious ties. Special attention was given to the significance of pilgrimages and the support of humanitarian and spiritual initiatives that foster people to people contacts.

During the discussion on the situation in the Middle East, the need to maintain peace and stability was underscored. Patriarch Theophilos III emphasized that prayers for peace are offered daily in Jerusalem.

At the end of the meeting, the Patriarch conveyed his best wishes to the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and expressed hope for the continued development of spiritual and cultural ties.

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