Jerusalem, January 22, 2025
Photo: ruskline.ru
The Jerusalem Patriarchate welcomes the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19 with cautious optimism, while acknowledging the devastating 15-month toll on human life and infrastructure, particularly in Gaza.
A new statement from the Church emphasizes that the suffering demands a response grounded in justice and recognition of human dignity, citing Biblical teachings about shared suffering and care for others.
The Patriarchate call for this ceasefire to serve as a bridge to lasting peace, urging unhindered humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts. It stresses that beyond material restoration, there must be a renewal of hope and trust, while calling on the international community to address the root causes of the conflict and work toward a just resolution that recognizes people’s aspirations for dignity.
Read the full statement below:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
As shepherds of the Christian faithful in the Holy Land, we welcome the news of a ceasefire in Gaza with cautious hope and fervent prayer. After 15 months of unimaginable suffering, this pause in hostilities offers a moment to breathe, to mourn, and to begin the arduous journey of healing. Yet, as Christians, we are summoned not merely to rejoice in the cessation of war but to dedicate ourselves to the sacred pursuit of true and lasting peace.
The toll on human life and dignity on all sides, but especially in Gaza, has been catastrophic, with civilian infrastructure obliterated and communities torn asunder. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul: “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). The suffering of Gaza is a wound not only to our communities there, but to the conscience of humanity. It demands a response grounded in justice, compassion, and the recognition that every human being is a bearer of the divine image.
This ceasefire must serve as a bridge toward an enduring and just resolution, one that affirms the sanctity of life and the dignity of all God’s children. The international community, particularly those nations that champion a rules-based global order, must reflect on their responsibilities. The failure to resolve this conflict, or adequately to address its root causes, challenges the very principles upon which such an order is built.
We also applaud all those courageous souls who risked their life to helping the needy, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the lost during this difficult period.
As we pray for lasting peace, we echo the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). These words compel us to act. Humanitarian aid must flow unhindered to those in need, and a proper effort must be made to rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals. But more than material restoration is required. There must be a restoration of hope, trust, and the recognition of the people’s rightful aspirations for justice and dignity.
May the Prince of Peace guide the hearts of all leaders toward reconciliation, and may this ceasefire mark the beginning of a new chapter in which justice and mercy prevail. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
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