Gaza City: As Gaza faces one of the darkest chapters in its recent history, two ancient Christian churches the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius have become havens of refuge, prayer, and survival for hundreds of families battered by the ongoing war.
The Israeli military campaign has intensified in recent days, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of a large-scale ground operation. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has warned that Gaza risks “massive destruction” unless Hamas releases hostages and disarms. Against this backdrop of airstrikes and looming devastation, Gaza’s small but steadfast Christian community has opened its sanctuaries to all who seek safety.
Nestled in Gaza’s al-Zeitoun neighborhood, the Holy Family Catholic Church has become a lifeline for around 600 displaced people, both Christians and Muslims. The parish hall now doubles as a dormitory, classrooms serve as kitchens, and the church courtyard has become a place where frightened children find rare moments of laughter despite the rumble of nearby shelling.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, has repeatedly affirmed that the church “will not abandon the people in this difficult time,” pledging to keep its doors open as long as the conflict endures.
About 1.7 miles away stands the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius, one of the oldest Christian landmarks in the region, dating back to the 5th century. Though smaller in numbers, this ancient sanctuary also shelters several families, holding firm as a place of prayer and resilience. Relations between the Catholic and Orthodox parishes have deepened during the crisis, with shared resources and solidarity uniting the communities more than ever before.
While both churches offer refuge, most of those taking shelter at Holy Family are Orthodox Christians. Their larger community, together with Catholic humanitarian networks, ensures that food, water, and medicines trickle in despite collapsing infrastructure. Aid channeled through Catholic organizations remains the main source of relief, helping sustain those who would otherwise face hunger and despair.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to monitor the escalating conflict with deep concern. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has urged the international community to intervene, warning that another spiral of violence will “only bring more destruction and suffering.” Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin have echoed these pleas, calling for humanitarian corridors and an immediate end to civilian targeting.
For Gaza’s dwindling Christian population, the churches are more than just shelters; they are sanctuaries of hope and symbols of survival. Families pray together, Orthodox and Catholic alike, sharing bread and solidarity while airstrikes thunder outside. Their witness, though small in numbers, sends a powerful message: even in war’s shadow, faith can still be light.
As bombs fall and homes crumble, the Holy Family Church and St. Porphyrius remain standing not merely as buildings, but as living testimonies that the language of faith and humanity is stronger than the roar of conflict.