JORDAN has recognised the newly enthroned Greek Orthodox Patriarch of
Jerusalem, Theophilos III, despite Israel’s insistence that the enthronement
was "a serious impropriety".
The previous Patriarch, Irineos I, was dismissed by the Holy Synod last May
over allegations that he allowed long-term leasing of church property in the
Old City of Jerusalem to Israelis.
Israel has said that it will not recognise Theophilos III, who was enthroned
on 22 November, and still views Ireneos as Patriarch. Theophilos had petitioned
the Israeli supreme court, to force the Sharon government to accept his
appointment.
Under a centuries-old agreement, senior church appointments in the Holy Land
require the approval of the powers of the land. Today these are Israel, the
Palestinian Authority, and Jordan. The Palestinians have recognised Theophilos
III, and Jordan has now followed suit.
The new Patriarch was received by King Abdullah in Amman on Monday. The
monarch urged Christian religious leaders to "speak in one voice to the West
about the challenges that face the Christian Arab presence in Jerusalem".
Theophilos III expressed the Church’s appreciation of Jordan’s support for
the retrieval of property leased to Israeli firms. He has said that the Church
informed the Israeli government before the enthronement.
The Israeli government has said that the enthronement was invalid because it
took place before a court ruling had been made.
Irineos I still occupies the Patriarchate’s headquarters, and says that he
will stay until word is received from the court. He did not attend Theophilos
III’s enthronement. Without government recognition, Theophilus cannot act in
his official capacity and engage with the Israeli authorities that control
Jerusalem.