Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens has condemned the desecration of a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, expressing deep concern over the incident and questioning the motives behind it.
In a statement, he stressed that Jesus “neither used violence nor led military actions” but instead taught love, repentance and forgiveness, referencing the phrase “I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” and the Apostle Paul’s description of the Law as a “guide to Christ.”
The Archbishop noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s swift condemnation of the act was “a step in the right direction,” but warned that war fuels violence and anger, often claiming innocent victims, including children. He cited the deaths of 168 students in the Iranian city of Minab.
The incident followed confirmation by the Israeli military that one of its soldiers damaged a Christian religious symbol during operations in southern Lebanon, saying it is treating the matter with “great severity” and that such conduct does not reflect its values.
The act, widely shared on social media, occurred days after a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced by Donald Trump.
Concluding his message, Archbishop Ieronymos said the Church continues to pray for peace worldwide and within every human soul.
Source: Orthodox Times
