Hebron, Palestine, August 26, 2025
Palestinian volunteers joined monastery residents on August 21 to clean and restore the grounds of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission’s Holy Forefathers Monastery in Hebron, which suffered damage from an arson attack earlier this month.
The cleanup effort brought together volunteers from Hebron province and other Palestinian regions to help restore the monastery property, reports the Ecclesiastical Mission.
The monastery houses the ancient Oak of Mamre—a site revered in Biblical tradition as the place where Abraham encountered Divine visitors.
The volunteer initiative came just days after unknown perpetrators attempted to burn down the monastery grounds by throwing hot coals wrapped in foil over the fence. While monastery residents and local firefighters prevented the flames from reaching the sacred oak tree, the surrounding area sustained fire damage requiring extensive cleanup.
The Russian Ecclesiastical Mission expressed deep gratitude for the volunteer effort, noting that such acts of solidarity strengthen relations between the monastery's residents and the local Hebron community while promoting interfaith peace and understanding.
“This charitable action by volunteers and Hebron authorities demonstrates that the good relations between our peoples are stronger than discord and serve as the best response to those who seek to sow hatred and division,” the Mission stated in its announcement.
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