It’s time to ease the tension

Published by The National Herald, May 14, 2005

For many months now, the crisis scourging the historic Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has reached its peak this week. The Church which is divinely designated to be the protector of the actual places where Jesus Christ was incarnated, ministered, suffered, died and rose from the dead is going through one of the most difficult times in its history of two thousand years.

Patriarch Eirineos of Jerusalem is at the very epicenter of the crisis, accused of selling portions of his Patriarchate's real estate in prime locations in Old Jerusalem to Israelis under secretive and blurry conditions. The properties, including two hotels, are located in the occupied part of Jerusalem which, prior to 1967, belonged to the Palestinians.

Eirenios is also accused of autocratic behavior toward his Synod, and completely disregarding its membership. He initially dismissed the allegations and blamed his former Director of Finance, Nicos Papadimas, who is now on the lam. Recently, the Patriarch stated that, while no property was sold to Israelis, some property was leased for 198 years.

The majority of members of the Holy Synod, 14 out of the 18 Metropolitans and Archbishops, along with some 75 Archimandrites, priests and monks, have signed a document renouncing Eirineos as their Patriarch and Head of the Monastic Order of the Holy Lands.

The signed document states in detail the accusations against him. A committee of three Metropolitans was designated to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Patriarchate. The Synod of Jerusalem duly informed the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, as well as all Autocephalous Orthodox Churches.

The Synod has told the world that, as far as it is concerned, Eirineos is no longer the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Official documents were sent to the governments of Greece, Jordan, Palestine and Israel requesting the lifting of legal and state recognition of Patriarch Eirineos.

The Greek Government is calling on Eirineos to "rise above the circumstances." The Jordanian and Palestinian Governments have recommended withdrawing recognition. And the Israeli Government said it will not get involved in the dispute.

Eirineos refuses to resign, hoping that he will be able to survive the crisis, but he should assume his historic responsibility and step down in order to alleviate the situation.

If he attempts to create a new Synod or ordain new bishops, he will simply make the situation worse and jeopardize the Hellenic Orthodox jurisdiction of the Holy Land, a privilege for many centuries.

The local Synod, even that of an ancient Patriarchate, can only establish that there is a problem. The solution to the problem must come from a higher authority. Canonically, it is up to a Supreme Synod, which only the Ecumenical Patriarch can convene, to decide whether or not Eirineos is deposed.

At press time, we received no word on how the Ecumenical Patriarchate was going to proceed. Under the circumstances, however, and unless the accusations are completely disproved, Eirineos should submit his resignation, if for no other reason than to ease the tension in the Holy Land.



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