Cyprus to fund restoration of historic Gaza church

Cyprus has announced financial support to restore the historic Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, which was partially destroyed during an Israeli bombardment in October 2023. The Greek Orthodox church, one of Gaza's oldest places of worship, was struck while hundreds of Palestinians were sheltering inside the compound. The Israeli Defence Forces stated the strike was directed at a nearby Hamas control center and that the church was not the intended target.

The €150,000 grant to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem will cover the restoration and also fund educational and social programs, including childcare and school facilities.

Additionally, the Cypriot government has allocated €148,000 to the Patriarchate of Antioch for assistance in Syria. This includes €100,000 for the reconstruction of a primary school in Hama province and €48,000 for food, water, and medical care for Orthodox and other Christian communities. Further grants and assistance have been directed toward monks in Bethlehem, Bethany, and Jordan, with potential future aid being considered for Christian communities in Iraq.