Protector of holy places
During the patriarchate of Sophronius, the Christians of Jerusalem enjoyed freedom of worship, so they could access the holy places without major difficulties, even though the city was in the hands of the Arab invaders.
The patriarch actively participated in the fight to defend the city and its holy places against the Muslims. He was painfully forced to mediate the terms of surrender when the Holy City was taken by Caliph Omar I in 637.
Even so, Saint Sophronius was relatively successful in obtaining certain civil and religious rights, among which the preservation of the church of the Holy Sepulcher stands out. However, in exchange, he would have to accept the imposition of an annual tribute to be paid by the Christians of Jerusalem.