Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presented Trump with the honorary cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre at a meeting in Washington
On June 4, 2026, an official meeting took place in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III. The main topics of the talks were the protection of vulnerable Christian communities, ensuring freedom of religion, and preserving the historical status of holy sites amid instability in the Middle East region.
During the visit, Patriarch Theophilos III bestowed upon Donald Trump one of the highest honors of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The President was presented with the honorary badge of the Great Bearer of the Cross of the Order of Cross-Bearers of the Holy Sepulchre. This award emphasizes the enduring connection of Jerusalem with Christian communities worldwide and the historical role of the Church in the Holy Land.
Representatives of the Jerusalem Patriarchate noted that this meeting is of great importance for maintaining channels of dialogue during a period of serious regional and international uncertainty. In conditions where traditional political avenues of settlement may be limited, the role of spiritual leaders in protecting minorities and peacemaking becomes particularly prominent.
The meeting in Washington was part of a broader diplomatic initiative by the Jerusalem Patriarchate. It is expected that next week Theophilos III will make official visits to Greece and Russia to continue working on the international consolidation of efforts to support Christians in the Middle East.
Background: The threat of the destruction of Middle Eastern communities remains a frightening reality. During the war in Syria alone, the number of Christians decreased from 1.5 million to less than 300,000. Due to the escalation of violence in 2025, the country rose to 6th place in the global index of religious persecution. A terrible reminder of this was the terrorist attack on June 22 of last year: a suicide bomber blew himself up during a service in the Mar Elias church in Damascus, claiming the lives of 22 people and injuring about 60 believers.
