Greece expresses its solidarity with the Christian Churches in Jerusalem

Eman Youssef in Athens , Monday 30 Mar 2026

Greece expresses its deep concern over the fact that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was prevented yesterday from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem to celebrate the Catholic Palm Sunday.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, leads a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday in Jerusalem on March 29, 2026, AFP

Despite the current circumstances, the Status Quo of the Holy Sepulcher must be fully respected by all and in good faith, according to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"This assumes additional importance in view of the upcoming Easter celebrations."

"Greece expresses its solidarity and unwavering support to the Christian Churches in Jerusalem and reiterates the importance of the respect of the Status Quo of the Holy Sepulcher under all circumstances," concluded the statement.

On Sunday, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas also denounced a "violation of religious freedom" after Israel stopped the Latin Patriarch, head of the Catholic church in Jerusalem, from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Sepulchre.

"The decision by Israeli police to bar Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday constitutes a violation of religious freedom and long-standing protections governing holy sites," she said.

"Freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be fully guaranteed, without exception, for all faiths. Jerusalem's multi-religious character must be protected," she added in a social media post.