Dear Brothers,
also in the Holy Land, we are experiencing a time of trial and emergency because of the virus COVID-19 that is now spreading all over the world. We are called to live this time continuing to trust in our Heavenly Father who takes care of all His creatures.
However, the ongoing emergency also makes us attentive to accomplish the provisions that the competent civil authorities enact to protect public health and the coomon good.
Therefore, in conformity with the recent decree of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, issued on March 5th 2020, with the present we the Heads of Churches in charge of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem urge everyone to adhere by the provisions and instruction of the civil authorities as they are detailed in the decree.
THEOPHILOS III
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
FRANCESCO PATTON
Custos of the Holy Land
ARCH NOURHAN MANOUGIAN
Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
9 march 2020
