PHOTO: Patriarch Theophilos III and Donald Trump at the White House. Photo: X page of the U.S. adviser on Arab and African affairs
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the Primate of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church as a key mediator for a ceasefire.
Donald Trump has backed the candidacy of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem as a mediator in diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, Ynet News reported.
The decision was made following a meeting at the White House that lasted about 40 minutes. The American leader reportedly views the head of the Jerusalem Church as a figure capable of creating an effective channel of communication between the warring parties.
The choice of Patriarch Theophilos was due to his high authority in the Orthodox world and the trust he enjoys from both sides of the conflict. Diplomatic circles describe him as a “non-political figure” who comes from a position of “religious and moral trust.”
As part of the peace initiative, Patriarch Theophilos is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in late June 2026. Washington hopes that progress on the Ukrainian track will allow the White House to adjust its strategic priorities in other regions of the world.
As the UOJ reported, Patriarch Theophilos presented Donald Trump with the highest order of the Jerusalem Church. During their conversation at the White House, Trump confirmed his readiness to protect Christian communities and holy sites around the world. The parties also discussed the situation of Christian communities in the Middle East, with Patriarch Theophilos urging the U.S. president to help protect believers in the region.
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After U.S. visit, Jerusalem Patriarch to travel to Greece and Russia
The Primate of the Jerusalem Church has announced official trips to Athens and Moscow.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem is expected to visit Greece and Russia within the coming week, according to reports from The Jerusalem Post.
The visits will continue the patriarch’s international mission, which he recently inaugurated with an official trip to the United States. The journeys of the Jerusalem Patriarch are being presented as those of a peacemaker rather than a political figure.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Theophilos presented Donald Trump with the highest order of the Jerusalem Church. During their discussions, the two sides addressed the protection of Christians in the Middle East and the right to freedom of religion. The upcoming visits to Greece and Russia are expected to contribute to broader dialogue aimed at safeguarding the holy sites and supporting Christian communities.
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Patriarch Theophilos: Jerusalem Church occupies a special place in Orthodoxy
The mission of the Jerusalem Church is directed to the entire Orthodox world, emphasized Her Primate.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem stated that the Jerusalem Orthodox Church occupies a unique place among the Local Orthodox Churches, as its foundation is the most holy Tomb of the Lord Jesus Christ, reports the UOJ in Greece.
The Primate of the Jerusalem Church said this after the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre of the Lord in Athens.
According to Patriarch Theophilos, other Local Churches are founded on the preaching of the holy apostles, while the Jerusalem Church has a special connection with the very place of Christ’s Resurrection.
“The Jerusalem Church has the unique privilege of being founded on the sacred and all-holy Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ,” emphasized the Primate.
The Patriarch noted that this is precisely why the Jerusalem Patriarchate perceives its ministry not only as care for the local flock in the Holy Land but also as a special responsibility before the entire Orthodox world.
“The choice of Patriarch Theophilos was due to his high authority in the Orthodox world and the trust he enjoys from both sides of the conflict. Diplomatic circles describe him as a “non-political figure” who comes from a position of “religious and moral trust.””
In other words, NOT Black Bart.
The above description SHOULD apply to the Ecumenical Patriarch but clearly it does not.
Seems like Bartholomew has been ousted
Coincidental that this comes on the heels of Bartholomew’s appeal for more Churches to recognize 2016 Crete. We all know no other Church will and it’s far more likely there will eventually be Churches that signed it to reject it.
Patriarch Theophilos has positioned himself as the new mediator of Orthodoxy over Constantinople.
I think many of the current festering issues in the Orthodox Church could best be handled under the supervision of Patriarch Theophilos. But especially the Ukrainian situation. Patriarch Bartholomew is too invested in one side to be effective. Moreover, Constantinople is not the best place for the first among equal status. Let’s see how Patriarch Theophilos does with the cease fire charge given to him. I believe he will succeed. Then, I think we should move to confer the first among equal honor on the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Quite frankly, Constantinople has not been performing for whatever reasons. We have many issues that need to be addressed, especially here in America, where the Holy Spirit has inspired many of our fellow Americans to come to the Orthodox Church. We need to clean house and Constantinople is no help. In fact, Constantinople is part of the problem. Time to change for the good of the Church.
Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem welcomed the Episcopalian Archbishop of Canterbury, Her Grace the Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre this past week. She said:
“I would especially like to thank Your Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos, for your gracious hospitality, both in hosting this meeting and in welcoming us earlier to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. To pray together in that holy place, at the heart of the Christian story, has been a profound gift.”
https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/speeches/address-archbishop-canterbury-heads-churches-jerusalem
We do not know exactly what political or other interests were behind her visit and acceptance from Theofilos. To us it was disgraceful – at the minimum he should have issued an explanatory statement.
If Archbishop Elpidophoros invites a female Episcopalian bishop to pray at his cathedral, it makes top news on Helleniscope. If the Patriarch of Jerusalem does the same, we just hear crickets.
Joseph – the only reason you follow Helleniscope closely is because you know that we are independent – unlike the other community media. Do you really believe that I will hesitate to criticize Theophilos? I did not hesitate to harshly attack Trump – and many others – and you think Theophilos will be an issue?
I simply do not have much time… I run my small business and I am writing after hours… And most of guys when Helleniscope asks for support whistle indifferently… Thank God our ever expanding editorial team has risen to the occasion…
Joseph,
If you want an initial thought based on news articles already circulating, that’s always easy:
Compared to what we know of the stance of most Church Fathers, it appears like Theophilos elected to make a terrible compromise. And we know one thing is usually true…Compromises are made in exchange for something.
But the real news story is a likely deeper than Theophilos’ scandalizing decision to greet the aforementioned heretic in front of cameras like that. And Helleniscope typically likes to dig a little deeper to examine the “why” not just restate the “what”…sometimes those investigations take time. This is one of those cases…
If you have any insider hard-evidence as to “why” he compromised like this, or what Theophilos may be getting in return for this compromise, please share instead of violating one of the 10 Commandments and falsely accusing Helleniscope of a “stance” that it isn’t guilty of…
Markos, perhaps you can help me. What was gained by Archbishop Elpidophoros’ “compromise” last February? Perhaps that would give us some clue about the Patriarch of Jerusalem’s recent invitation to the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury.
https://www.helleniscope.com/2026/02/01/heretics-and-a-lesbian-cleric-ab-elpidophoros-latest-ecumenist-scandal/
Joseph,
Helleniscope’s opinion -both mine and Markos’ -is clear on this issue. Why don’t you state your position?