
JERUSALEM: 17 June 2025
The churches of the Russian Church Abroad in the Holy Land remain intact
The temples of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia located in the Holy Land, along with the clergy serving in them, have not suffered as a result of the military conflict between Israel and Iran which began on June 13, 2025, reported RIA Novosti, according to Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops. He pointed out that ROCOR “is responsible for the Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Gethsemane Convent with the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Lavra of St Chariton the Confessor in Fara, the Community of the Resurrection of Christ in Bethany with its school for girls, a metochion of Gethsemane, and other sites. Additionally, representatives of ROCOR serve at the renowned Russian Excavations proximate to the Holy Sepulcher of the Lord.
“Thank God, everyone is alive and healthy. There are no reports of damage to the holy places and buildings that are part of our mission, for which we thank God, praying to Him for the preservation of Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, its clergy, and numerous monastics," said Fr Serafim.
He also reported, citing Fr Roman, that according to his information, there are currently no pilgrims in the mission. As Fr Roman told RIA Novosti on Monday, the Mission continues to live a normal life, despite the new outbreak of tension in the Middle East. "The normal life of the mission continues, services are still being held," said Fr Roman.
He noted that all members of the mission must remain vigilant and seek shelter during attacks. However, at other times, he said, everything continues as usual.


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