Church Ousts Anti-Jewish Patriarch Over Land Sale
The Greek Orthodox patriarch who supported Yasser Arafat's claims to Jerusalem has been banned by the church for selling property to pro-Israel investors. The patriarch denies he sold the land.
First Publish: 5/6/2005, 10:59 AM / Last Update: 5/6/2005, 1:29 PM
Thirteen bishops of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem made a non-binding announcement that accused Irineos I of betraying the church in the sale of church property to unidentified Jews. Pro-Israel groups have bought up several properties in the Muslim Quarter and other areas in the Old City over the past two decades, where dozens of families have renewed Jewish settlement after being forced out by wars and anti-Semitism.
The patriarch said he did not sell or lease any property to Jews, and that an aide signed in his name on an agreement to sell the property near Jaffa Gate. The aide has since disappeared.
Irineos' public anti-Jewish statements almost prevented him from being appointed as Greek Orthodox patriarch last year. He had written letters about "Jewish conquerors of the Holy Land of Palestine" and promised Yasser Arafat to support "the rights of our most beloved Palestinian people" to Israel's capital. In 2003, the IDF banned the patriarch from entering Ramallah after finding a pistol in his vehicle while he was on his way to visit Arafat. Law suits by Jews and Greek Orthodox members challenged the appointment.
The Greek Orthodox Church in Israel, which has about 100,000 followers, mostly Arabs, owns valuable property throughout Jerusalem. The church has been embroiled in other financial mazes. Its treasurer has been accused of stealing millions of dollars of church funds after having sold two hotels on behalf of the patriarch Irineos.
The patriarch said he did not sell or lease any property to Jews, and that an aide signed in his name on an agreement to sell the property near Jaffa Gate. The aide has since disappeared.
Irineos' public anti-Jewish statements almost prevented him from being appointed as Greek Orthodox patriarch last year. He had written letters about "Jewish conquerors of the Holy Land of Palestine" and promised Yasser Arafat to support "the rights of our most beloved Palestinian people" to Israel's capital. In 2003, the IDF banned the patriarch from entering Ramallah after finding a pistol in his vehicle while he was on his way to visit Arafat. Law suits by Jews and Greek Orthodox members challenged the appointment.
The Greek Orthodox Church in Israel, which has about 100,000 followers, mostly Arabs, owns valuable property throughout Jerusalem. The church has been embroiled in other financial mazes. Its treasurer has been accused of stealing millions of dollars of church funds after having sold two hotels on behalf of the patriarch Irineos.