Patriarch Theophilos III and President Erdoğan Reaffirm Status Quo of Jerusalem’s Sacred Sites
https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/
OCP News Service – 13/09/2025
Constantinople – Turkey: His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was received today by His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye. The fraternal meeting, held in Istanbul, highlighted the historic and spiritual ties between the Holy Land and Türkiye, with a focus on preserving the sacred heritage of Jerusalem.
During the meeting, Patriarch Theophilos recalled the enduring legacy of the Covenant of Omar, a foundational agreement from the seventh century that established the protection of Christian holy sites. He noted that this covenant, later developed into the Status Quo under the Ottomans, continues to safeguard Jerusalem’s diverse religious communities and its unique “mosaic character.”
His Beatitude expressed deep appreciation for President Erdoğan’s recognition of the importance of this religious patrimony. He underlined that Muslim leaders, as heirs of the Covenant of Omar, share a duty to protect Christian communities and holy places, a responsibility also held by the Hashemites as Custodians in the Holy Land.
Citing the Apostle Paul’s words, “live at peace with everyone,” Patriarch Theophilos stressed that this spirit must guide the defense of the historic Status Quo. He affirmed that renewed cooperation is essential to ensure that the holy places remain a living source of unity and hope for all peoples in the region.
Source:
OCP News Service
