Latin Patriarchate honours Knights of the Holy Sepulchre

Image: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to express its deep gratitude to those who support its pastoral and humanitarian mission in the Holy Land through steadfast charity. This gratitude is manifested in two essential ways: through prayer and through tangible signs of appreciation. In this spirit, the Latin Patriarchate recently honoured several members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by awarding them the Golden Medal of the Holy Sepulchre, in recognition of their long-standing dedication and generous service.

Among those honoured were Mgr Aybram Yvon from France; Mr Khalid Yacoub Bahnan, who resides in the United States but is originally from Bethlehem; and Mr Luka Conte and Fr Nicola Caino, both from Italy.

On Friday, January 2, 2026, Mgr William Shomali, General Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, awarded the Golden Medal to Mgr Aybram Yvon, Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Nanterre in France, on behalf of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The medal was presented in honour of Mgr Yvon's 50th Priestly Jubilee and in recognition of his exceptional support for the mission of the Latin Patriarchate. Over the past year, Mgr Yvon has organized and accompanied more than 60 pilgrimage groups to the Holy Land, regularly visiting the Patriarchate, and had been a principal supporter of the Seminary of Beit Jala.

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa personally presented the Golden Medal to Mr Khalid Yacoub Bahnan at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Mr Bahnan, a native of Bethlehem who immigrated to the United States and works in religious tourism, has been a steadfast supporter of the Patriarchate's mission by bringing annually more than 3,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land, and a greater number to other Holy Places worldwide. He continues to support the Christian community in Bethlehem, particularly through local parishes and various institutions. The ceremony was attended by Fr Rami Askria, OFM, former parish priest of Bethlehem, and HE Issa Jamil Kassissieh, Ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

On January 5, 2026, the Golden Medal was also awarded to Mr Luka Conte, former President of Caritas in Tursi-Lagonegro, in recognition of his long-standing closeness to the Latin Patriarchate and his continuous support for its projects and institutions since 1998. Mr Conte joined the Order of the Holy Sepulchre one year ago, further strengthening his commitment to supporting the Church and its mission in the Holy Land. The Patriarchate also honoured Fr.Nicola Caino, Parish Priest of Lauria and Prior of the delegation of the Holy Sepulchre in Tursi-Lagonegro, situated in the Basilicata region. Fr Caino, a close collaborator and friend of Mr. Conte, recently joined the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and maintains a close relationship with the Latin Patriarchate, supporting its pastoral and charitable initiatives.

Through these gestures of recognition, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reaffirms its gratitude to all those who faithfully accompany and support its mission, strengthening the living presence of the Church in the Holy Land.