Greece pledges 10-year support for Patriarchate of Jerusalem heritage

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture have ratified a ten-year Memorandum of Cooperation with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The agreement establishes a framework for the protection, scientific study, and promotion of the Patriarchate’s religious, historical, and cultural heritage.

The memorandum provides a stable annual funding of 1 million euros, split equally between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. This financial support is dedicated to specific, agreed-upon programs including the maintenance and restoration of holy sites, monasteries, temples, and artworks.

Key initiatives under the agreement include the digital mapping of monuments, the digitization of the Historical Archive and Patriarchal Library, and the conservation of icons, mosaics, and relics. The partnership also aims to foster academic and educational activities in collaboration with Greek higher education institutions and international researchers. Early planned projects include the restoration of the Panagia Tomb Metochion complex in Plaka and the Byzantine temple of Goumenos in Ilia.