Archimandrite Justin Mamalos, restorer of Jacob's Well, passes away

Archimandrite Justin Mamalos, a prominent figure of the Holy Sepulchre and the restorer of the Jacob's Well shrine, has passed away at the age of 85. The Jerusalem Patriarchate announced his death on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following a long illness.

Mamalos was the founder of the Church of Saint Photini of the Samaritan Woman in Neapolis (Nablus), Samaria. His decades of service were dedicated to the renovation and protection of the sacred monastery. During his tenure, he faced numerous security challenges, including attacks involving stones, rockets, and bombs, which left physical damage to the shrine.

Having arrived in the Holy Land in 1961, Mamalos is credited with the extensive restoration of the 4,000-year-old site. Procedures are currently being arranged to return his remains to the Holy Land for funeral services and burial.