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Recent events in Palestine and Israel have, tragically, once again underscored the critical need for a just peace in the region, for both Palestinians and Israelis, said World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca.

As Orthodox institutions and individuals called for unimpeded access to the Holy Sepulcher for Holy Fire Saturday and Easter, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem rejected restrictions announced by Israeli police.

Easter for Christians, Passover for Jews, and Ramadan for Muslims coincided on the weekend of 15-17 April this year. Still, violence in the holy city of Jerusalem shared by the three faiths was a reminder of the fragility of their relationships.

As the ninth anniversary of the abduction of the archbishops of Aleppo approaches, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca invited prayer for the safe return of the two religious leaders, as well as others missing amid conflicts and crises.

Following an 11 April statement of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressing grave concerns over announced police restrictions on Holy Fire Saturday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) strongly condemned such measures restricting access to places of worship as violations of religious freedom in the Holy Land.

While Christians around the globe prepare to celebrate Easter, high holidays for Muslims and Jews—Ramadan and Pessach—are also being celebrated at the same time period in 2022. At this confluence of sacred celebration, the very sacredness of Jerusalem is especially evident for locals and visitors alike. But the sacredness of the Holy City and its inhabitants is increasingly threatened by consequences of the ongoing occupation, such as discrimination and violence.

في 5 نيسان/ أبريل، اجتمع ممثلو قيادة مجلس الكنائس العالمي وموظفيه مع ممثلين من الكنائس الأعضاء في سوريا الذين قدموا إلى المعهد المسكوني في بوسي للتشاور بشأن عمل مجلس الكنائس العالمي البرنامجي الطويل الأمد المتعلق بسوريا. وكان الأمين العام بالنيابة لمجلس الكنائس العالمي القس البروفيسور الدكتور يوان سوكا هو الداعي لعقد هذا الاجتماع. .

On 5 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) leadership and staff met with representatives of WCC member churches from Syria, who came to the Bossey Ecumenical Institute for consultations on the WCC’s longstanding programmatic work relating to Syria. WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, was the convener of the meeting.

في حين يستعد مسيحيو العالم للاحتفال بعيد الفصح، يستعد المسلمون واليهود أيضاً للاحتفال في نفس الفترة بمناسبات هامة وهي رمضان وبيساح. وفي تزامن الاحتفالات المقدسة هذه، تتجلى قدسية القدس أكثر بالنسبة للمقيمين فيها والزوار على حد سواء. ولكن قدسية المدينة المقدسة وساكنيها محل تهديد متزايد بسبب عواقب الاحتلال مثل التمييز والعنف.