Holy Synod of Antioch Prays for Palestinians and Restores Relations with Patriarchate of Jerusalem

OCP News Service – 21/10/2023

Beirut- Lebanon: The Holy Synod of Antioch through the statement dated 20 October 2023 offered fervent prayers for the Palestinian people, beseeching the King of Peace and Lord of Mercies to alleviate their suffering and end injustice, oppression, homelessness, and displacement. In an effort to support the Palestinian people, the Holy Synod has called upon its parishes to dedicate the upcoming Sunday to prayers for justice and peace and to collect aid donations to aid those affected.

Recognizing the importance of intensified prayer and cooperation in these trying times, the Holy Synod has decided to restore ecclesiastical relations with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. A committee from the Patriarchate will engage in dialogue with their counterparts from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to resolve the dispute regarding ecclesiastical jurisdiction over “Qatar,” safeguarding the rights of the Antiochian See.

Furthermore, the Holy Synod has authorized a Church delegation to visit Amman, conveying the love and support of the Antiochian See to the people of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem during these challenging and critical times.

On April 29, 2014, the Antiochian Synod severed ties with the Church in Jerusalem due to an ongoing disagreement regarding the rightful jurisdiction over Qatar, a region claimed by both Local Churches.

Traditionally, Qatar has fallen under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait, and the Arabian Peninsula, which is part of the Antiochian Church. However, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem elected Archimandrite Makarios as the leader of its newly established Archdiocese of Qatar on March 4, 2013, subsequently consecrating him as the Metropolitan of Qatar.

Efforts to mediate and resolve the jurisdictional dispute proved unsuccessful, leading the Antiochian Synod to make the difficult decision to sever communion with the Church in Jerusalem.