Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani-joined by leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), including Bishop Gabriel Chemodakov, Father George Larin, Father Joachim Parr, Brother Isaac Lambertsen, and ROCOR Communications Director Nicholas Ohotin-today renewed his call for the Palestinian Authority to return a monastery illegally seized from ROCOR.

"More than two months ago, I stood here with leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and other religious leaders urging the federal government to pressure the Palestinian Authority to reverse its illegal seizure of a ROCOR monastery," Mayor Giuliani said. "The monastery remains surrounded by armed Palestinian Authority guards, and Washington has done too little to rectify the situation, despite the enormous influence that the United States Government wields in that region of the world.

"What is at stake here is not just the fate of one monastery, or of the handful of brave monks and nuns risking their lives to protect their rights of their church. The action of the Palestinian Authority sets a dangerous precedent that threatens religious, diplomatic and commercial property everywhere, and also undermines the rule of law. The United States has a clear interest in seeing that these principles are upheld throughout the world."

ROCOR Communications Director Nicholas Ohotin said, "Our Church has lived in peace in the Holy Land, closely knit with the Palestinian people, welcoming pilgrims and maintaining our churches and monasteries for more than 80 years. Let everyone hear and take notice that the present leadership of the Palestinian Authority is now seizing our properties, illegally and violently, without due process, without warning, without justice."

At the request of officials of the Russian government and the "Red" Russian Orthodox Church, the Palestinian Authority seized a "White" Russian, or ROCOR, monastery on January 15th of this year.

All of the monks then living in the monastery were expelled, but two ROCOR nuns-both US citizens and one from New York City-rushed to occupy the property, refusing to leave until the seizure decision was reversed. They were effectively besieged, and the Palestinian Authority has even denied representatives of the Red Cross, carrying medical supplies, access to the monastery. The nuns have since left, and their places have been taken by two monks, one a US citizen from Illinois.

Officials of ROCOR, which is based in New York City, requested the Mayor's help by letter on January 28th. On February 1st, Mayor Giuliani sent a letter to Secretary of State Albright urging that the United States vigorously protest the illegal seizure. The Mayor also hosted leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in City Hall that same day.

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