Gaza, October 30, 2023
Photo: Facebook
A mass Baptism for children was held this weekend at the monastery that has been housing hundreds of Gaza residents since the war began earlier this month.
18 Orthodox Christians and others were killed when a blast rocked the church halls at St. Porphyrios of Gaza Monastery last month. 
Funeral and memorial prayers for victims of Gaza monastery blastThe monastery has been sheltering hundreds since the present conflict began on October 7, but two church halls where they were being housed collapsed when the monastery was hit on Thursday night.
“>Their funeral was served by His Eminence Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, who has 
I will not leave my flock, I will die a dignified death if that is my fate—Archbishop in GazaHis Eminence Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is determined to remain with his flock in Gaza, despite the obvious danger.”>vowed to remain with his flock to the end.
And on Saturday, a number of children were baptized at the monastery church, which continues to hold services despite the danger.
Fr. George Bannoura, a priest of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in the Palestinian town of Beit Sahur, reports:
Today in the morning, a mass Baptism for 9 children took place in Gaza, to be ready for any eventuality. Good illumination for the newly baptized. And may the Merciful God protect everyone there. Let us all pray.
“Let us learn from the immense faith and courage of our brothers and sisters in Christ. May God show his mercy on us all,” writes the Palestinian-Jordanian Youth Ministry.
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