Gaza, September 12, 2025
chuffed.org
A new fundraiser has been launched to provide humanitarian aid to approximately 275 Palestinians currently sheltering at St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza City. The campaign, organized by Jonathan Krohn through Sacred Spaces, a monthly radio program on Bethlehem’s Radio al-Hara, aims to deliver direct financial assistance to the church community.
According to the fundraiser description, the Christian population in Gaza has decreased from around 1,000 at the start of the current conflict in late 2023 to approximately 600 people today. Of these, 275 individuals are currently living within St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church, one of two parish churches that remain standing in the area.
St. Porphyrius Church traces its history to the early 5th century, when St. Porphyrius evangelized the region and established a church. The current structure dates to the 12th-century Crusader period and was built around the saint’s relics.
The fundraiser organizers state that Israeli authorities announced last week plans to deploy 60,000 reservists to Gaza City, with eviction orders issued for remaining civilians, including clergy and those sheltering in both St. Porphyrius and the neighboring Holy Family Catholic parish. The clergy at both churches have announced they will not leave, with the support of their respective Patriarchs in Jerusalem.
Funds raised will be distributed directly to community leaders at St. Porphyrius Church in collaboration with the clergy and lay administrators. The money will be used to purchase food and other essential supplies for the nearly 300 people sheltering there.
The fundraiser was brought to the attention of OrthoChristian through a contact in the office of Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, whose jurisdiction includes the Christians of Gaza.
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