Gaza, October 18, 2023
Photo: royanews.tv
His Eminence Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is determined to remain with his flock in Gaza, despite the obvious danger.
He hopes, by his presence, to bring them hope.
“As long as there is at least one Christian in the territory of Gaza, I will not go anywhere, because I can be a hope for them, so I will stay in the province that believes in me. If I die, I will have a dignified death as my destiny!” the Archbishop said, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
Photo: orderofsaintgeorge.org
“This is our homeland,” His Eminence earlier said in comments to the charitable fund the Holy Order of St. George. “We will not abandon it. Our fate is with Christ, and we accept whatever outcome He allows, whether we live or die… It is Christ Who sustains us!”
With the tireless care of Abp. Alexios, the ancient Monastery of St. Porphyrios in Gaza, caught in the crossfire, has turned into a refuge for hundreds of local residents, regardless of their religion.
“We are here living the day, not sure if we can make it to the night. But what eases our pain is the humble and warm spirit of everyone around,” says Walaa Sobeh, a Palestinian Muslim whose house was destroyed. Sobeh talks about receiving “enormous support from the priests and other people in the church who volunteer tirelessly around the clock to help the displaced families.”
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
The church has remain largely unscathed so far, and Divine services have continued there, though a hospital just 600 feet from the monastery was bombed yesterday, killing at least 800 people.
Photo: diakonima.gr
Refugees are welcome at the church through the end of the war, and Abp. Alexios is personally present, helping those who have lost everything.
To help those suffering in Gaza, please consider donating through the Holy Order of St. George’s Gaza fundraising campaign:
https://www.paypal.com/giving/campaigns?campaign_id=U94UASLK6LDX2
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