EDITOR’S NOTE (Markos – Helleniscope’s religion commentator). More interesting parts of Patriarch Theophilos’s interview with Breitbart were revealed. Among these, he pronounces: “The Patriarchate is universally recognized as the ‘Mother Church,’ as well as the Church of the Holy Land, the Church that ministers in the places where the events of the salvation of humankind took place.
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A Message of Patriarch Theophilos to Trump About Ukraine
In an interview with Breitbart News, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said that he is planning to undertake a mission to meet both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the aim of helping to find a solution that would bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has deeply divided the Orthodox Church.
Theophilos III met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this summer to bestow upon Trump one of the Orthodox Church’s highest honors, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher.
The Orthodox leader also left the White House with Trump’s blessing to help mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Asked about his role, and that of the Patriarchate, in attempting to heal the rift within the Orthodox Church that lies at the heart of the Russian war in Ukraine, Theophilos III stressed that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem “holds a unique position in the Christian world.”
“It was here that the Church was first revealed,” Theophilos III told Breitbart News.
“The Patriarchate is universally recognized as the ‘Mother Church,’ as well as the Church of the Holy Land, the Church that ministers in the places where the events of the salvation of humankind took place.
Therefore, the mission of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is not limited to one particular church or solely to caring for specific holy sites.
The responsibility of this Church is much broader than that. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem serves as a point of reference for unity, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among peoples.
We experience this every day in the Holy Land, and we seek to support those in regions of the world afflicted by division and conflict.
The work of reconciliation, both internally and globally, is today our greatest challenge and our greatest responsibility.”
He also said that his personal role is “unique” and that he believes that, with Trump’s support for his efforts to act as a mediator, he can contribute to peace in Ukraine as a “peacemaker.”
“As Patriarch, I have a unique role. My mission is first and foremost to worship God, and I must also care for my flock — whether they are local residents or pilgrims,” Theophilos III said.
“However, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is also a peacemaker. Religious leaders around the world possess the spiritual and moral authority to intervene in conflicts and promote peace in ways that few others can.
The lessons we draw from our ministry teach us to listen carefully, and our positions of leadership allow us to give a voice to the oppressed.
I felt deeply humbled when, in June, I received President Trump’s support to take on a mediating role in order to help resolve this conflict.
I was profoundly humbled by his support in this matter. I am also grateful for the support this mission has received from the Greek state and from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem and I are committed to the spiritual mission of reconciling the peoples of Ukraine and Russia.
In the spirit of my namesake and friend, the late Pope Francis, I recall the words of Saint Francis of Assisi: ‘Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.’ Through fervent prayer, by the grace of God, with the support of the international community, and strengthened by all sides’ willingness to listen actively and refocus on the well-being of all, I pray that the Patriarchate may help achieve peace in Ukraine.
My role is not political. Rather, as a religious leader, it is to keep channels of communication open and to remind those in power of the virtues of dialogue, love, and peacemaking.”
Theophilos III told Breitbart News that he is working to arrange meetings soon with both Putin and Zelensky, with whom he hopes to have a “constructive dialogue” to help bring peace to the Orthodox world.
“In this spirit, we are working to meet with both President Putin and President Zelensky as part of these very efforts,” he said.
“President Putin is a believing and active member of the Orthodox Church, and President Zelensky is spiritually reflective and faithful. Both presidents bear significant responsibilities, and we very much look forward to working with them to open channels of communication and constructive dialogue.”
Theophilos III also said that “it is incredibly painful” to see two majority-Orthodox countries — Ukraine and Russia — fighting one another, and that the Church “suffers” because of this war.
When asked what is needed to bring peace to Ukraine, he said leaders should “start with the basics.”
“As a Church, we must work to heal the wounds within the Orthodox Church so that our fraternal bonds may once again become strong. As nations, my prayer is that Russia and Ukraine find the means to enter into dialogue, focusing not only on ending hostilities but also on the well-being of both Ukrainians and Russians,” Theophilos III said.
“In 2023, during my official visit to the Vatican, where I met with the late Pope Francis, I committed myself and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to helping all parties involved on the path toward reconciliation. This is our spiritual mission. There is one word I want to emphasize, and that is ‘path.’
I do not believe that reconciliation and peace can be achieved overnight, but we must begin the process. Let us start with the basics. Those in positions of power must be willing to listen actively to one another.
But it is equally critical that we listen to the voices of the families, children, and communities that are suffering. We must hear the stories of those who want to educate their children, live in peace, worship freely, and find their community.
This requires a refocusing away from marginal gains on the battlefield and toward envisioning the future of both countries through the eyes of those far removed from the corridors of power — through the eyes of parents trying to build a future for their children.”
In conclusion, Theophilos III said he believes Trump can play an important role in achieving peace not only in Ukraine, but also in Iran and across the wider world.
He said that Orthodox leaders “see in him a protector of Christians” around the world, and he quoted the words of Jesus Christ as his message directly to the president.
“President Trump is one of the most powerful leaders in the world,” Theophilos III said. “He does not possess a magic wand that can bring peace, but his office, his influence, his prestige, and his authority make him a vital and central figure in establishing peace.
We clearly see his influence and what he is doing for Christians around the world — we see in him a protector of Christians.
I do not pretend to take the place of his many distinguished and respected advisers, but if I were to offer one piece of advice as Patriarch of Jerusalem, it would be to empower those working to end the conflict so that they may find hope.
That hope lies not only in the cessation of hostilities, but in a vision in which communities are rebuilt, families are reunited, and children have a safe future.
In Jerusalem, when conflict seems at an impasse, we find ourselves in the season of Easter. At that time, we are reminded to choose hope and of its power.
We are instilled with the hope of resurrection for the life to come, yes, but also with a transformative hope for the world in which we live, so that we may all live in the peace of Christ.
I would like to leave President Trump with the words of Christ: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”
