Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna: A Palestinian Voice in the Orthodox Church

Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna is one of the few Palestinian Arabs to rise to senior rank in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, whose hierarchy has long been dominated by Greek clergy. Born in the Galilee village of Rameh in 1965, he studied theology in Greece and became a spokesman for the patriarchate. In 2005 he was consecrated Archbishop of Sebastia.

An outspoken churchman

Atallah Hanna is known above all for his public stance on Palestinian issues. He has consistently spoken against the occupation and against attempts to transfer church property in Jerusalem to settler organisations, a long-running controversy within the Orthodox Church. He has called on Palestinian Christians to see themselves as an integral part of the Palestinian people rather than a minority apart.

He is also a frequent advocate of Muslim-Christian solidarity, visiting mosques and speaking at events with Muslim leaders, particularly on the status of Jerusalem's holy sites.

Controversy and pressure

His activism has made him a target. Israeli authorities have at times questioned and detained him and restricted his travel. In 2019 he was hospitalised after what he and his supporters described as exposure to a toxic substance. The incident drew concern from church leaders internationally.

Significance

For many Palestinian Christians, Atallah Hanna represents a voice that combines religious leadership with national identity. His prominence also highlights the tensions within the Jerusalem Orthodox Church between its Greek leadership and its largely Arab congregations.