As the Israeli army announced plans to seize Gaza City, ordering the evacuation of areas including where the Church of St. Porphyrios is located, residents and clergy have refused to leave.
The historic church, a cornerstone of Gaza’s Christian community, has long served as a sanctuary for civilians during times of conflict. At the beginning of the current Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the church was hit by an airstrike, leaving at least 18 civilians dead and many injured. Despite the devastation, hundreds of displaced residents continue to seek refuge within its walls.
Archbishop Theodosios Hanna, Greek Orthodox archbishop of Sebastia, spoke to ONE magazine about the crisis, emphasizing the humanitarian deterioration. “The position of the Christian churches in Jerusalem is clear: We demand and call for an end to the war,” he said. “This war, this bloodshed, and this suffering must stop, as there are more than 2 million citizens in the Gaza Strip living under catastrophic and tragic conditions.”
The Church of St. Porphyrios, established in the fifth century and rebuilt in the 12th century, carries deep historical significance for Gaza’s Christian community. It has served as a spiritual and cultural hub and, during the current conflict, it has become a lifeline for both Christians and Muslims.
Archbishop Hanna highlighted the moral responsibility of the church: “Of course, if a decision is made to evacuate the citizens, or if the occupation forces ask them to evacuate and leave the north, we, for our part, advise against leaving the north. The two churches and their citizens are a trust in our hands. We do not encourage anyone to leave.”
The nearby Catholic Church of the Holy Family, another sanctuary, has also been caught in the conflict. On 26 August, a massive explosion shook the area surrounding the church, which is not part of the evacuation zone. A second airstrike occurred just 700 meters away on 28 August. The church, where the Missionaries of Charity operated a convent and served the poor and disabled, is sheltering about 450 people, some with disabilities and others who have faced severe malnutrition in recent months.
The Holy Family Church Emergency Committee issued a statement in response to the 26 August explosion the next day.
“The Holy Family Church Emergency Committee has decided to remain in the church and continue its work, in order to support the priests and nuns in continuing to care for and serve all those who will remain within the church complex,” the statement reads. “Since the first day of the war, the committee has been working tirelessly to serve the displaced within the church and the community outside it, and has not hesitated to remain at the forefront of this service under all circumstances.”
A joint statement issued on 26 August by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem underscored the dangers of forced displacement: “Leaving Gaza City and attempting to flee to the southern Gaza Strip would be tantamount to a death sentence for these individuals. There is no justification for the deliberate and forced mass displacement of civilians.”
The joint statement also highlighted the continued humanitarian work within the churches: “Since the outbreak of the war, the St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church complex and the Holy Family Church complex in Gaza City have become a refuge for hundreds of civilians, including the elderly, women, and children. Many of the refugees are suffering from emaciation and malnutrition due to the hardships they have faced over the past months.”
During his interview, Archbishop Hanna appealed for global action: “Every person in Gaza is a human being, with dignity. They are created by God and deserve to enjoy life. They should not be treated with such cruelty and in these uncivilized and inhumane ways.
“We call on all religious and human rights institutions and authorities everywhere in this world to work to stop the war of extermination.”