The Deputy Foreign Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Ioannis Amanatidis, accompanying Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, stated the following in the context of today's event marking the completion of the restoration work in Jerusalem: "This is an historic day not just for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, but for all of Christianity and humanity. The restoration of the Holy Sepulchre, which was carried out under the care of the National Technical University of Athens, with the invaluable guidance of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, and in collaboration with the other Christian communities, is a project of universal acceptance, a symbol of hope and peaceful coexistence at a time rife with challenges. We have an ongoing and strong interest in ensuring preservation of and respect for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which, through its age-old and emblematic presence, is a factor for promoting peaceful coexistence and religious pluralism in the Middle East. This interest is clearly shown by the Prime Minister's presence and Greece's continuing support for the future plans for overall restoration work on the church".
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