A Statement of the Order of Saint George the Great Martyr on the Incident Near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
16th of March 2026
The Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr expresses its deep concern following reports that falling missile debris struck property belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, approximately 50 meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, during the recent missile attacks directed toward Israel from Iran amid the escalating regional war.
According to initial reports, debris from an intercepted missile fell onto a property owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem near a Greek Orthodox monastic compound in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Order learned from its connections in the Holy City that the damage appears to have been limited and no serious injuries have been reported among clergy, monastics, or nearby residents, the incident stands as a sobering reminder that even the most sacred places in Jerusalem are not immune to the dangers of modern warfare.
Jerusalem occupies a singular place in the spiritual life of Christianity. It is the city of Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension, and it remains the beating heart of Christian pilgrimage and devotion. For nearly two millennia, Christian laity and monastic communities have guarded the holy places of Jerusalem, maintaining a continuous life of prayer, hospitality, and spiritual witness even through centuries of conflict and upheaval.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, one of the most ancient patriarchates of the Christian world, traces its origins to the earliest days of the Church. According to Christian tradition, the Church of Jerusalem was first led by Saint James the Just, the brother of the Lord and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Through the centuries that followed, the Church of Jerusalem endured Roman persecutions, Byzantine rule, the upheavals of conquest, and the transformations of successive empires—yet its Christian presence never disappeared.
Within this sacred landscape, Greek Orthodox monasteries have played a central role in preserving the Christian character of the Holy Land. Monastic communities have long served as guardians of the holy places, caretakers of ancient churches, and custodians of a spiritual tradition rooted deeply in the life of the early Church.
Among the most important of these responsibilities is the care of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christianity, where the faithful venerate the place of Christ’s Crucifixion and the tomb from which He rose on the third day. For centuries, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has maintained a leading role in safeguarding this sacred shrine alongside other Christian communities under the delicate arrangements known as the Status Quo, which governs the administration and protection of many of the Holy Land’s most sacred sites.
Greek Orthodox monasteries and patriarchal properties throughout the Christian Quarter form an integral part of this sacred landscape. These sites are not merely historical structures; they are living centers of faith where monks, clergy, and faithful continue the ancient rhythms of prayer, liturgy, and pilgrimage that have defined Christian life in Jerusalem for centuries.
The report that missile debris has fallen within fifty meters of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is therefore deeply troubling. Even when religious sites are not the intended targets, the realities of modern warfare—including missile interceptions and falling debris—place holy sites and civilian communities at grave risk.
The Order of Saint George the Great Martyr calls upon all parties involved in the ongoing hostilities throughout the region to exercise the utmost restraint and to respect the sanctity of Jerusalem and the religious institutions that serve its diverse communities. The protection of sacred sites must remain a priority under international humanitarian principles and basic moral responsibility.
At the same time, we offer our prayers for the clergy and monastic communities of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and for all those living in the Old City who were affected by this incident.
We pray for the safety of the Christian faithful throughout Jerusalem and the wider Holy Land, and we entrust the city—so beloved to billions of believers—to the mercy of God.
May Jerusalem remain a city of prayer rather than a city of fear.
May its ancient churches continue to stand as witnesses to faith, hope, and resurrection.
The Order of Saint George the Great Martyr remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting and advocating for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and for all Christian communities throughout the Holy Land and the wider Middle East. We will continue to stand in unwavering solidarity with all those who safeguard the living heritage of Christianity in the very land where the Gospel first took root.
If you would like to support the Order’s efforts to assist the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Christian communities of the Holy Land, please consider making a donation. Simply click the yellow “Donate” button and include “Jerusalem” in the memo field so that your contribution may be directed toward this mission. Thank you!
