Jerusalem Bishop

Published by The National Herald, May 16, 2005

Jerusalem Bishop: There is Evidence of Land Sales in the Holy Land

BOSTON - Archbishop Theophanis of Gerason, in an exclusive interview with the National Herald, discusses the crisis at the which has erupted at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem due to the alleged selling or long-term leasing of prime properties to Israelis by Patriarch Eirineos of Jerusalem.

Archbishop Theophanis is among the 14 Metropolitans and Archbishops who signed the document of abjuration of the Patriarch, a rare action which signifies an imminent dethronement.

Patriarch Eirineos had refused to resign on his own, despite many calls among the majority of members in his Synod.

After the Jordanian, Palestinian and Jordanian Governments sign off on the Jerusalem Synod’s decision, Theophanis said, it is expected that the other ancient Patriarchates will also accept it.

"The whole issue will be resolved in a matter of days," Theophanis added. "The entire Orthodox world should rejoice because the problem was resolved from within." The text of the interview follows:

TNH: Your Eminence, how would you describe the situation in Jerusalem at this time?

THEOPHANIS: The entire issue is headed for a solution because the mistakes that Patriarch Eirineos has made are immense. The Holy Synod is now taking care of the Patriarchate’s day-to-day operations. There are 14 out of the 18 hierarchs, members of the Holy Synod, who have signed a proclamation for the Patriarch’s deposition. He is considered "former Patriarch of Jerusalem." The only thing pending is the recognition of the governments of Jordan and Palestine, which will be granted soon, and then, the Israeli Government will follow suit. The Orthodox Churches will recognize our Synod, beginning with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, whose authority and weight are respected by all.

THEOPHANIS: The way Patriarch Eirineos had chosen to govern the Patriarchate was completely irresponsible. He was incompetent to administer the spiritual and ecclesiastical heritage of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The main factor in this case is that the entire Monastic Brotherhood of the Holy Land has voiced its opposition to the former Patriarch. We took care of the situation internally condemning his behavior and attitude.

TNH: Are your actions ecclesiologically and canonically correct? Are you not forming an uncanonical conventicle?

THEOPHANIS: No. It would be considered uncanonical if we were a small group, or a minority, but we are in the vast majority. Moreover, we are proceeding correctly, according to Jordanian law. We are applying the law, but also our ecclesiastical consciousness. It is unacceptable for an entire Synod to be held captive by one man.

TNH: Is there any evidence that Patriarch Eirineos has sold, or leased for almost 200 years, real estate properties to Israelis?

THEOPHANIS: Yes, complete and proven, but for us, this is not the only thing that matters. The selling of the properties was the tip of the iceberg. More important was the behavior of the Patriarch towards the Monastic Brotherhood of the Holy Land; the lack of love, justice and order, and the mismanagement of the Patriarchate. I repeat, however, that there is evidence for the property issue.

TNH: When the Synod elected him as Patriarch, you mean to tell us they Synod did not know whom it was electing?

THEOPHANIS: The Synod knew. That is the reason Eirineos received only seven out of the 17 votes. The remaining ten were against him, but because we have a law here, a candidate with a relative majority can be elected. He received six votes, plus his own, and he was elected. Some members of the Synod who voted for him miscalculated, and they admitted that later. Here, the Body of the Church is alive. It acts, decides and rejects. The entire Orthodox world should rejoice because the solution came from within.

THEOPHANIS: An ecclesiastical revolution took place. A miracle has taken place. We rejected those things that should have been rejected.

THEOPHANIS: The issue can not continue to fester. The Patriarch either has to resign on his own, or be compelled to do so under the circumstances. The two governments will soon render their decisions on the action of our Holy Synod. The Ecumenical Patriarchate seems to be following our line of thinking because it issued a statement referring to Eirineos as "Patriarch Eirineos" instead of "Patriarch of Jerusalem, so indirectly, the Phanar is supporting the Synod.

TNH: Do you think that a Supreme Synod will be convened by the Ecumenical Patriarch?

THEOPHANIS: I am of the opinion that this is not necessary. It would have been necessary if our position were not so strong. I went to the Phanar myself when there were 12 signatories. Now 15 have signed, 14 of whom are members of the Synod. We have both legal and canonical grounds, and we are seeking the acknowledgment of the governments. We are ethically, ecclesiastically and canonically covered.

TNH: Your Eminence, your Synod has already convened in a meeting presided by the senior Metropolitan, Vasileios of Caesarea, while your Primate is alive and has not resigned. Don’t you think that there is canonical problem here?

THEOPHANIS: No, because we are in the majority. The local Synod is the body that is responsible for the welfare of the Church here.

TNH: What about the basic teaching that nothing should be done without the consent of the Primate, who presides over the Synod?

THEOPHANIS: Yes, but there are also canons that say that the Primate (the First among us) should do nothing without the consent of the many.

THEOPHANIS: This is not the time for such discussions. I believe that the dynamics which brought about this change will continue, and that a good choice will eventually be made.

TNH: Is there any possibility that the successor comes from outside in order to be free of any factions and fractiousness?

THEOPHANIS: Certain factions have spawned individuals with a fractious mentality. But there are healthy and competent persons who brought about this change, and who can lead this Church, but who were marginalized, and it is now time for them to be made worthy, because they know people, and they understand the issues, and they have the inner fortitude and faith, which should be put to good use. I am not ruling out anything, but a possible election from outside the Synod would create more problems because the issue of citizenship is involved, as is the issue of acceptance by the Monastic Brotherhood.



Volume 7 Number 20 - Tuesday, May 17th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY