Archbishop Atallah Hanna’s Fight for Peace in Palestine

posted on: Jul 29, 2016

Archbishop Atallah Hanna with a vision for peace

BY: Mary Elbanna/Contributing Writer

A Religious Calling

Archbishop Theodosios, more commonly known as Atallah Hanna, is a Christian Palestinian known for his political activism in Jerusalem. He is the only Orthodox Palestinian Archbishop in the world and has been highly recognized for his commitment to unifying Christians and Muslims within Jerusalem, and speaking out in favor of coexistence in the holy city.

Atallah Hanna was born to a Palestinian family in the village of Al Rameh and attended school in Jerusalem. He found his calling within the church and decided to enter the Clerical Patriarchate School in Jerusalem. He eventually went on to study and teach theology at the Thessalonica University in Greece.

In 1991, after earning both his master’s degree and doctorate, Atallah Hanna was ordained as a deacon and served as a priest for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, famously known as the place where Jesus was crucified. Additionally, Hanna was appointed as Head of the Arabic Department for the Orthodox Patriarchate, serving as a spokesperson in Jerusalem for the Orthodox Church.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Hanna was ordained as a deacon and served as priest.

Striving for Peace and Unity

Education and unifying the church are two passions held by Hanna. He has worked to shape curriculum and advocate for Christian education in Palestinian schools, while also working to bring together churches throughout the Holy Land to establish unity. Last year, Atallah Hanna commented on the hope he has for the Church to play a crucial role in bringing justice and peace to populations in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinians.

Atallah Hanna being honored for his lifelong commitment to peace and advocating for Palestinians

Hanna has played an active role in facilitating a discussion between Palestinian Christians and Muslims, serving as an active member of the Christian Islamic Discussion Forum in Palestine. He has published multiple articles in newspapers and international magazines on his thoughts of peace for Palestinians. Hanna often travels to speak at events throughout the world, including the United States, about his hopes for the Palestinian people.

He has spoken strongly against terrorism and has attempted to enlighten the public on how “Terrorism has no religion,” and that victims of terrorism are from “all affiliations.” Hanna has continually pushed to ensure Christian and Muslim Palestinians are granted the same rights and respect, commenting on how Palestinians of both religions have suffered.

The Fight for Access to the Holy City

One of Hanna’s most prominent talking points is about the differing restrictions Israel places on Palestinian Christians and Muslims trying to enter Jerusalem.

The City of Jerusalem

Palestinian Christians and Muslims wishing to enter Jerusalem from the West Bank and Gaza must have a permit granted to them by Israel. This past Easter, 850 Christian Palestinians were granted entry into the city for the holiday, just after the decision to rescind travel permits for many Gazan Muslims who had requested to visit the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Hanna has said that these restrictions were imposed by Israel in order to create a climate of religious tension among Palestinians. He believes this plan has failed because leaders like himself continue to fight for peace and unity in the region, as well as respect for all Palestinians.

Atallah Hanna has reiterated his belief that Jerusalem and the Holy Land belong to people of all religious beliefs, stressing the need to recognize the rights of Christians, Muslims, and the Jewish people to reside and visit the area freely without a permit requirement.

The wall separating Jerusalem and the West Bank

His emphasis on the importance of the people residing on the Holy Land, and not the sights, sets him apart from other religious leaders. In an interview in 2015, he described how people coming to Jerusalem can visit the holy sites, but the importance of the land lies in the people. He has advocated for tearing down the concrete wall that lies between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, separating the two cities and the people who reside in them. Hanna stated that the wall “brings shame on the forehead of humanity” and fails to create safety and harmony for the people of the Holy Land. He noted Pope Francis’ recent visit to the wall in which he stopped to pray on the barrier.

Pope Francis prays on the wall that divides Israel from the West Bank.

National and religious unity and peace in the Arab world, specifically within Jerusalem and the Palestinian people, is what Archbishop Atallah Hanna has fought to achieve for decades. When asked about the numbers of the people he reaches within his church, he responded, “All the Palestinian people are my church.”

In conclusion, Archbishop Theodosius, Atallah Hanna, has used his faith and position as a Christian leader to teach positivity and love towards people of all religions. He speaks of unity, not separation; peace, not conflict; and love, not hate.