Classification to the Hagiologion of the New Hieromartyr Filoumenos

From here.

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PATRIARCHAL AND SYNODIC PRAXIS OF THE PATRIACHATE OF JERUSALEM IN CLASSIFYING TO THE HAGIOLOGION OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, THE NEW HIEROMARTYR SAINT FILOUMENOS, MEMBER OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE AND SUPERIOR OF THE SHRINE AT JACOB'S WELL. 

SESSION 50TH / 11-9-2009

 The Holy Church of Christ in Jerusalem, founded on the divine-flowing blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, poured on Golgotha for the remission of sins and for the salvation of human kind, bore martyrs in its bosom, whose blood was shed as an offering and reciprocation of gratitude and love to Christ, who was willingly Crucified for them, and Resurrected from the dead.

 First of these martyrs is the ‘proto martyr' and archdeacon Stephanos who, like his Saviour, had his life taken while praying for those who stoned him (Acts 7, 60). Following him was Saint Jacob, the son of Zevedeos and brother of Evangelist Ioannis, whom "Herod the King killed with a sword" (Act. 12, 1-2). After him was Saint Jacob, the Lord's brother and first Archbishop of the Church of Jerusalem, who was thrown from the ledge of the Temple, by the deniers of the Lord, and died as a martyr, praying for his persecutors. In his footsteps, his relative and heir to the Throne, Bishop of Jerusalem Simeon, in the days of Emperor Traianos, was tortured and crucified in Pella of Jordan, at the age of a hundred and twenty. 

 The apostolic period of the Church of Jerusalem is dignified by these four glorious spiritual jewels, but not less than the post-apostolic period of the Church, which is dignified by the beheaded Jerusalemite martyr Prokopios, by the Gaza martyrs Timotheos, Agapios and Thekla, by the beheaded martyr Pamfilos the founder of the Library of Caesarea, by the beheaded Promos and Elias in Askalon, Paul of Imneia, and by others true and admirable who were mercilessly tortured and died in martyrdom under the ruthless persecution of Diocletianos, in almost every city in the Holy Land of which " time would fail us to tell"(Heb. 11, 32).

 In this august chorus of martyrs of the first centuries in the life of the Church, who refused to denounce Christ, are also those who were persecuted during the following centuries in the name of Christ, for the truth and integrity of our Orthodox faith, such as the Patriarch of Jerusalem Zacharias who was abducted to Persia with the Holy Cross, and the Fathers of Saint Sabas monastery, who were slaughtered by the Persians. 

 In this holy charter are included the monks of the Order of Spoudeai who strove and gave their souls in defending the Holy Shrines, the tangible testimonies and proof of the earthly presence of our Saviour Jesus Christ. These included the notable by virtue and holiness, Patriarch of Jerusalem Leondios and the ever memorable member of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre Archimandrite Filoumenos, Superior of the Holy Monastery of Jacob's Well, who lived in our times. 

 He originated from Orounta, of the saint-giving island of Cyprus and arrived in Jerusalem at a young age, having from his devout parents an education and admonition of the Lord. He was also a novice monk at the Holy Monastery of Stavrovouni. He studied at the Patriarchal School, where he was distinguished and praised for his diligence and good ethos. Graduating from the school, he was ordained a schema monk and was integrated into the Order of Spoudeai, the guardians of the Holy and Vivifying Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ. As a monk, he showed righteous imitation of the Saints and of the God-bearing Fathers of the Church. He was punctual in the everyday reading of the prayers and Church services, demonstrated temperance, fasting and frugality. When called upon to the axiom of priesthood by the Mother of Churches and he accepting, he proved to be a true steward of the mysteries of Christ to his commissioning to various holy shrines and in serving the flock as a Superior of: the Holy Monastery of the Saint Apostles of Tiberias, Superior of the Holy Monastery of Archangel Michael in Jaffa, Superior of the Holy Monastery of the Archangels in Jerusalem, director of the dormitory of the Patriarchal School, Superior of the Holy Convent of Saint Theodosios the superior of the cenobic life, Superior of the Monastery of the Prophet Elias and responsible for rite of the church ceremonies at the Monastic Church of the Brotherhood of Saints Constantine and Helen, Superior of the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ramallah, and lastly as Superior of the Holy Monastery of Jacob's Well in Nablus of Samaria.

He served at this "Jacob's well" (John 4, 6) "In spirit and truth" (John 4, 23), fulfilling the verses of the Lord's spoken commandment, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth," (John 4, 24) and although often threatened by a heterodox fanatic visitor to abandon the shrine, he never did. 

 He was at the Chapel of Jacob's Well performing the regular Vesper service, on the afternoon of 16th/29th November of 1979, when due to the hatred of the devil who hates good, he was deviously and violently attacked by a vile man who, with an axe, opened a deep cut across his forehead, cut off the fingers of his right hand and upon escaping threw a grenade which ended the Father's life. 

 The fragments of the grenade and drops of his blood left traces and stigmata that are still visible to this day on the walls of the Chapel, as an eternal memory of his martyrdom, crowning his sacred life. His life and his death is a confession of faith, a confession of blood, at the place where the Lord revealed to the Samaritan woman who said to Him "I know that Messiah is coming, He who is called Christ" (John 4, 25) by telling her "I who speak to you am he" (John 4, 26). Through his martyrdom he became a co-martyr with Saint Fotini the Samaritan, her sons and sisters. The central church is named in honour of her while the southern chapel within the church is dedicated and named after Saint Filoumenos, wherein his sacred relics are present and are a source of strength and healing to the faithful devotees who honour him. He is also a co-martyr with Saint Ioustinos the Philosopher and Martyr, who originates from Nablus, and is honoured in the northern chapel within the church. 

 Since Saint Filoumenos' death and martyrdom and from signs of God testified by people, he was already established as a martyred saint in the conscience of many honourable members of the church. Today, after the completion of thirty years since the day of his martyrdom, based on the Synodic decision of Our Holy and Sacred Synod, we officially place in the Synaxarion, the celebration of this new hieromartyr on this day of his martyrdom, 16th/29th of November each year, to the benefit of the souls and to the glory of Our Holy Triune God. 

 Today we announce this sacred ecclesiastical event to the congregation of the Church of Zion, and the sister Orthodox Churches so that from now onwards, they eternally celebrate the memory of the new hieromartyr Filoumenos with the intercessions of whom we may find grace and mercy so that with one voice and one heart we offer glory and praise to the glorified Holy Triune, our God who is glorified in His Saints. 

Holy City of Jerusalem, September 11th 2009.

THEOPHILOS III
Patriarch of Jerusalem 

Metropolitan of Caesarea Vasilios 

Metropolitan of Ptolemais Palladios 

Metropolitan of Capitolias Issychios 

Metropolitan of Eleftheroupolis Christodoulos, Elder Dragouman 

Metropolitan of Philadelphia Venedictos 

Metropolitan of Avila Dorotheos 

Archbishop of Mt. Tabor Methodios 

Archimandrite Kelladion, Elder Kamarasis 

Archimandrite Ioustinos 

Archimandrite Theodoritos

Archimandrite Hilarion

Archimandrite Timotheos 

Archimandrite Evdokimos 

Archimandrite Demetrios, Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod

Archimandrite Galaktion

Archbishop of Constantina Aristarchos, Elder Chief Secretary 

Source: http://www.jerusalem-patriarchate.info
/en/view.php?message_id=376

This is refreshing news for a change

From here.

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A visit by bishops of the German Roman Catholic church to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

From the website of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Translated by OODE: http://www.oodegr.com/english/papismos/GermanBishopsVisit.htm

Gregorian (16-9-2009)/Julian (3-9-2009).

On Wednesday, the 3/16-9-2009, His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III was visited by Dr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Bishop of Regensburg, Dr. Heinrich Mussinghoff, Bishop of Aachen and Dr. Gerhard Feige, Bishop of Magdeburg of the Roman Catholic Church, along with a small entourage group, in the framework of their visit as a mission to the Holy Land, in order to become acquainted with the Churches of the Middle East and to reinforce the Christian presence in that territory.
The Bishop of Regensburg Dr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, when addressing His Beatitude, made a reference to the contribution of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the theology of the Church through its stance of supporting the Christological Dogma of the 4th Ecumenical Synod of Chalcedon in 451 A.D., the stance of Patriarch Sophronios who had supported the two wills and energies of our Lord Jesus Christ, the stance of the Jerusalem Patriarchate during the Iconomachy dispute, and also during the ongoing theological dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church nowadays.
He then handed His Beatitude the medal of the Regensburg Institute for the teaching of the German language to students originating from the Eastern Churches. The Acting Director of this Institute, clergyman Dr. Nikolaus Wyrwoll, was one of the accompanying entourage of the Roman Catholic Arch-priests.
In his response, His Beatitude welcomed the Bishop of Regensburg Dr. Müller and his entourage to Jerusalem; he thanked him for his words regarding the stance of the Jerusalem Patriarchate during the periods of crisis in the Church, as well as for his collaboration in favour of the union of the Churches.
«Your visit», said His Beatitude, «is significant for the Christian presence in the Holy Land; it is a visit of solidarity. You are familiar with the dogmas of the Church and with ecclesiastic history. You are also familiar with the current political situation. We, however, are living inside it. There is here a familiar political and religious situation, with its related extensions. Our Patriarchate, has, through the ages, cultivated a spirit of peaceful coexistence with Islam and Judaism. We are not talking about a dialogue, or a relationship, but a coexistence. We respect the sacred pilgrim sites of all three religions. Jerusalem herself is a Holy City for all three religions. Jerusalem has been sanctified by the blood of the prophets and of Jesus Christ. There is room for the followers of all three religions. The political resolution to the problem of Jerusalem concerns others. We are duty-bound to preserve the spiritual singularity of Jerusalem. The diminishing Christian element does not scare us: «fear not the small flock». (Luke 12:32). Everyone is familiar with the contribution and the help offered by the Christian element here. In parallel, however, the Christians are also in need of help and support. These have at times been referred to as a «community» - a reference that is not valid, given that the Christians here are indigenous. As regards the theological dialogue, we are in favour; however, we do not look to it with any anxiety. We believe that we should be striving for a unity of faith, and not of administration.»
Continuing his address, His Beatitude said that the ecclesiastic dialogue should also include monks, who do not confuse «speculation with revelation»; they know that Christianity does not involve speculation. They know what the truth is: that a Christian's goal is deification. The representatives of the theological dialogue between the Churches and the leaders of the Churches should be pleased, if both levels of dialogue were to coexist; that is, love and truth. Not love alone.
His Beatitude stressed that it is about time both Churches examined what divides them, and not what the elements that unite them are.

«The elements that unite them have been discussed exhaustively in the past. The beginning of our unity in the faith is found in the recognition of our weaknesses. It is time that we operated on our wounds.»

From the Chief-Secretariat.

Source: http://www.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/gr/view.php?message_id=326

Greek grant to enhance tourism services, preserve Byzantine-era church

24 September 2008
MADABA - Segments of the Kingdom's rich and diverse heritage will be preserved and promoted under a landmark cooperation agreement between the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem and the Jordanian, Greek and US governments.

Under an agreement signed on Tuesday by the Planning Ministry, USAIDUSAID
, the Ministry of TourismMinistry of Tourism, the Department of Antiquities and the Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, the Greek government will provide Jordan with $720,000 through Hellenic Aid to enhance tourism services in the mosaic city of Madaba and to protect and preserve an ancient Byzantine-era church.

Martyr's Church, which was built in the 6th century and houses several mosaics and other artefacts, is one of four Byzantine churches built on the site now known as the Madaba Archaeological Park.

Yesterday's agreement entails constructing a shelter over the site and providing visitors with interpretation and visual guides describing the history of the church and its numerous mosaics, according to the USAIDUSAID- Jordan Tourism Development Programme.

The Greek grant will also finance renovation work on the visitor centre adjacent to St. George Church, home to the world-renowned mosaic map of the Holy Land so it can accommodate the growing number of tourists coming to the site.

In addition, the visitor centre will be refurbished and provided with an interpretation room, while a new documentary will be filmed detailing the historical significance of the plethora of tourist sites in and around the city.

Expressing his support for the project, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III yesterday said the agreement represents an example of "mutual cooperation and understanding", and a symbol of the "common humanity" that supports peace and stability.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodorus Kassimis also stressed his government's continued support for the Kingdom, particularly in protecting heritage sites.

Planning Minister Suhair Al-Ali, who met with Kassimis to discuss Jordanian-Greek ties earlier on Tuesday, underlined the importance of the agreement and cross-cultural understanding.

"Tourism is a key and vital sector of the economy, which creates job opportunities and generates foreign currency," she said, highlighting the "excellent" relations Greece and Jordan enjoy.

Also under the agreement, USAIDUSAID pledged $100,000 worth of technical assistance and expertise in renovating the two areas and providing a more visitor-friendly atmosphere.

"The United States and Jordan have been working together on the management of heritage and tourism experiences. Tourism plays a pivotal role in Jordan's economy, and we will continue supporting the development of this sector," US Ambassador Robert Stephen Beecroft said at the signing ceremony.

According to USAIDUSAID Mission Director Jay Knott, the agreement is just one of several steps the US has taken to support the tourism sector.

"Tourism is important in terms of our cooperation with the government. We see tourism as a growing economic sector particularly with cultural sites, which have great potential," Knott told The Jordan Times yesterday.

The agreement comes as part of ongoing efforts to transform Madaba into a tourism hub and encourage visitors to use the mosaic city as a base for their travels, with several cultural and religious sites a short drive away.

Under the Tourism MinistryTourism Ministry's Madaba Tourism Strategy, the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration was revamped, while infrastructure work is under way to repave streets and improve shop facades.

The St. George Church of Madaba saw a 104 per cent increase in visitors in the first seven months of this year, drawing 163,027 tourists through July.

SOURCE:

Another Tack: The Sergei connection

Sep 18, 2008 13:09 Updated Sep 18, 2008 13:14

By SARAH HONIG

Poor Tzipi Livni - the burden of ministerial office can weigh heavy. It involves obligations that produce not a little unease. For instance, among the last follies ascribed to Ariel Sharon, just before his catastrophic stroke, was a promise to Vladimir Putin to hand over the Russian Compound's famed Sergei Building (the sumptuous "Sergei Imperial Guest House"). It's smack-dab in the very heart of Jerusalem - in the western part thereof, the one that lies within the Green Line, the one that ostensibly Israel may be allowed to keep after it relinquishes all it liberated in its 1967 war of self-defense (including Judaism's Holiest of Holies).

Claims for a pound of the Jewish national flesh, it so appears, are being made not only by Arabs. We owe slices of our capital to all sorts of latecomers, conquerors, glory-seekers, clout-hunters and would-be meddlers in our volatile region.

With friends like Putin, let's not forget, we need no enemies. He actively helps Iran gain the nuclear capability with which to obliterate the Jewish state. Putin supplies Syria with missiles with which to decimate Israel's population centers and down its fighter jets. Via Damascus, Putin succors Hizbullah and Russian-made rocketry fired from Gaza's Hamastan explodes in Ashkelon. Putin deserves none of the consideration that might perhaps be extraordinarily extended a bosom buddy (though genuine allies wouldn't pursue archaic pretexts for a foothold in another nation's capital and the cradle of its heritage).

Moreover, Putin doesn't politely request a special cordial gesture. A Russian Foreign Ministry-sponsored Web site names the issue of "Russian property in Jerusalem" as one of the most outstanding bilateral problems between the countries, listing it under the heading of "Getting What Is One's Own" with the further elucidation that "Russia has a number of complaints against Israel." It goes on to assert that there's no contesting "the legitimacy of Russia's claim to the St. Sergius Metochion and the building of the Russian church mission as well as various other facilities in Jerusalem."

THOUGH NO written documentation exists anywhere of Sharon's alleged pledge to Putin, its intrinsic logic and consistency are undeniable. An administration prepared to divest Israel of some parts of Jerusalem won't shrink from surrendering other parts too - even bits of its central downtown, in which nobody would presumably portray our tenure as controversial or precarious.

Given such an ultra-appeasing mindset, it might well be that Sharon was loath to disappoint Putin and so is Foreign Minister Livni. But had they and their Kadima cohorts fully focused on the ramifications? The ultimate eviction from the Sergei premises of Israel's Agriculture Ministry and environmental organizations is the least troublesome consequence (the blow to national sovereignty notwithstanding). In Kremlin hands, these holdings would de facto become extraterritorial. What if terrorists were to flee and find refuge therein? Would IDF troops break into Putin's toehold in the Holy Land?

The precedent, additionally, might stimulate other appetites. The Greek Orthodox Church owns the land on which the Knesset and the prime minister's residence stand. If a ministry can be evicted, why not the Jewish parliament and the head of government?

Livni might not relish the complications, but noblesse oblige. If Arik obsequiously promised, she is honor bound to fawningly fulfill Putin's wishes. All foreigners, it seems, have more cogent claims to Jerusalem than do Jews. As Sharon and sidekicks - with Livni prominently among them - demonstrated during disengagement, Jews are portable and disposable.

And how did Russia's unchallengeable claims arise? The Russian Compound was chartered by the Russian Orthodox Church from the Ottomans in 1858. It was earmarked for the welfare of pilgrims. The Sergei Complex, occupying nine compound acres, was constructed decades afterward by Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich (son of Tsar Alexander II, brother of infamous Tsar Alexander III and uncle to last Tsar Nicholas II) to accommodate visiting aristocrats.

Among his other distinctions, Sergei was president of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society." Turkish law categorized his property as strictly private and emphatically not a Russian state holding.

Post-revolution, "White" and "Red" Russian churches vied for compound ownership. The Mandatory Brits commandeered the lot. Israel purchased most of the compound from the USSR in 1964, but, being cash-strapped then, paid the $3.5 million in... oranges. The Sergei Building, church and courtyard weren't included in the deal and until the Six Day War served as the local KGB spy nook.

Putin reportedly won't countenance sale of the property due to a deep-seated sentimental connection to Sergei and his legacy. Too bad Livni doesn't exude similar emotional attachment to Sergei's victims.

SHE, OF all homegrown dabblers in statecraft, should know that the grand duke was an avid practitioner of the recurrent Romanov theme: "Beat the Jews and save Russia." His anti-Semitism was unrivalled even by the rabid anti-Semitism of his royal kinfolk. In 1891 - mere months after Sergei's building went up in Jerusalem - his brother appointed him governor-general of Moscow. Sergei's immediate move was to uproot the city's 30,000 Jews. Moscow was to be "cleansed" in three orderly phases - the poorest and least-veteran Jewish inhabitants ousted first and the richest and longest-residing Jews removed last.

The banishment edict was published on the first day of Passover. The next night police swooped down on Jewish homes, roused entire frightened families and drove thousands of scantily clad men, women and children to the lockup where they were crammed into filthy cells. Others hid out in dark alleyways and cemeteries, only to be eventually rounded up and roughed up. All, shorn of their possessions, were later driven out of town like vermin. Many were tortured. The infirm died in transit. Some were dragged in wooden manacles, like outlaws, to do long stretches of hard labor in distant prisons.

Over months and several expulsion installments, Moscow was rendered virtually judenrein. While Sergei rejoiced, deported Jews were reduced to utter destitution. In Sergei's Russia, however, they were the lucky ones. Elsewhere, Sergei's clan unleashed gruesome pogroms - painstakingly premeditated as diversionary tactics to quell internal unrest - in which Jews suffered all manner of barbaric butchery, eclipsed only by the horrors of the Holocaust.

This is the Sergei whose individual real estate holding Putin elevates to a sacred national heirloom for all Russians. But if Putin speaks in terms of national birthright, why not also Livni? Why not demand at least a modicum of quid pro quo - a central sliver of Russia's capital for a central sliver of Israel's capital?

Why not demand that - in return for one ruthless Russian despot's property, for which Putin yearns nostalgically - he pay with what Sergei stole from the Jews he robbed and exiled?

Moscow's Zaryadye historical district, adjacent to Red Square, was the hub of Muscovite Jewry (particularly the sizable Glebov Yard, site of the then-Jewish ghetto). Why not award that area to Israel in return for Sergei's courtyard?

Putin may balk and assert that Israel isn't heir to the Jews Sergei dispossessed, in which case Livni could note that neither is Putin's Russia heir to Sergei.

That's how a proud foreign minister of the Jewish state and a prime-ministerial aspirant should have reacted. But although Livni may not lack ambition, she is woefully deficient in Jewish pride.

SOURCE:

Bishop Niphon criticizes Greek Patriarchates in the Middle East for opposing to Russian presence in the region

17 July 2008, 10:04

Moscow, July 17, Interfax - Bishop Niphon (Saikali) of Philipopolis, the Antioch Patriarch's representative to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia over 30 years, spoke against actions of Greek Patriarchates in the Middle East as they oppose increasing Russian presence in the region.

"I've heard that the Jerusalem and the Constantinople Patriarchates have certain objections against expansion of Russian presence in the Middle East. They are wrong," the bishop said in his interview published by NG-Religii paper on Wednesday.

He said, "Russian state is one thing and the Russian Orthodox Church is a quite different thing."

The bishop further said, the Moscow Patriarchate "plays an important role both in the Orthodox world and inter-religious relations." However, the Russian Church "doesn't have any claims for political influence on international arena and seeks only fraternal relations with other local Churches."

"I'd like to urge our Greek brothers to expand Orthodox impact together with Russians. The Russian Church is a great Church, and sister-Churches should gain strength from it for preaching our faith," the Middle East hierarch stressed.

He also urged the Constantinople and the Jerusalem Patriarchates, which clerics are Greek by origin, enlarge its clergy with Arab clerics. "Their mentality should be changed somehow," Bishop Niphon stated.

SOURCE:

Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin: «The Church accepts everyone including those who are partial to their own sex»

Deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchy's Foreign Church Affairs Department answers KP readers' questions

Yekaterina Rozhaeva — 09.06.2008

On the president and transfer of power…

Not long ago I looked at your commentary regarding Medvedev's inauguration. The essence was basically: "It's wonderful that a peaceful transfer of power has occurred in a friendly atmosphere." How do the upper echelons of the Russian Orthodox Church feel about the authorities' actions?

Vadim Vyacheslavovich permjak@mail.ru

The Holy Book says that we must not slander our leaders. We are respectful of those who hold state authority if not simply because the people trust them. And the fact that the power has been publicly, kindly passed from one hand to another is a tremendous feat for Russia. This happens in few countries. And it never occurred in Russia before. Today, we see a transfer of power with kind wishes and parting words. It's a new chapter in Russia's political culture. And I find this most welcome.

We have gradually begun to climb out of our demographic pitfall. This is happening slowly, but the positive tendencies are there nonetheless. Natural wealth has been given to us to use. I'm certain that a large share of the revenues that these resources bring will reach the people. The Church has spoken in this regards as well.

In terms of weakening manufacturing, I'd like to mention the following. When it comes to poor Soviet production, I'm more of a radical than Chubais, Gaydar and Yavlinskiy put together. We inherited many enterprises from the Soviet Union that we had to close because they produced useless goods. Their lifespans were artificially prolonged for years. This brought no good whatsoever. The businesses ultimately died and their agony threw the hundreds of thousands of people in the balance between insufficient work and near unemployment. We need production that is effective and modern and helps our primary resource to flourish — the mental ability of our people. If we would have preserved the production that we inherited from the Soviet Union and tried to support it artificially, we would have been a laughing stock on our knees long ago.

On homophobia

How much longer can homophobia be endured?

Anatoliy turina@mail.ru

The Church accepts everyone with love including those who are partial to their own sex. But the Church tells them out of love that single-sex intercourse is a sin. It's a moral sin. On many occasions I've said that people who say that homosexuals live happy, joyous lives speak untruthfully. They are sincerely unhappy individuals. I know this from many confessions and life stories. It is not a coincidence that homosexuals die earlier. More homosexuals commit suicide and there are more drug addicts and alcoholics among them. They damage themselves and they need help to change. And here we see the principle "hate the sin and love the sinner." I am not homophobic, but I consider such sinful phenomena to be dangerous for people. Hence my warnings.

On the Chinese converting to the Russian Orthodox Church

I have a Chinese friend who was baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church two years ago. Now he dreams of baptizing all the Chinese. Can you? Do you have enough priests?

Andrey Denisenko, denisonaas@yahoo.com

We certainly do have enough priests. In the late 1990s, millions of middle-aged and elderly people came to our churches to be baptized.

I alone baptized many 80 year-old Communists. Some churches baptized 500-600 people each day. The Church will welcome everyone despite nationality or culture. On this note, it is important to remember that baptizing is not merely a formal act. Rather, it is rooted in at least a minimal acquaintance with the Orthodox belief. Today, many churches hold lectures for those interested in being baptized. There is a great deal of available literature. So one must prepare to be baptized as a Christian not only name but in belief and similarly in life.

On lusting after one's neighbor's husband

I'm interested in finding out why the Bible says not to lust after your neighbor's wife, but says nothing about lusting after your neighbor's husband!!! Isn't that also a sin?

Olga asir213@gmail.com

Among the people who received these commandments, women were chaster than men and chaster than modern-day women…

On the workings and conspiracies of the CIA…

What's your opinion on the scandal that broke out before Easter concerning the Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos' comments about the Russian presence in the Holy Land and the Holy Fire. Who would ever need such provocation?

Aleksandr sagrados@rambler.ru


I am certain that the scandal arose accidentally. Many people called me and said it's a conspiracy against the Church or a CIA plan...

Several people made loud, careless remarks. And as a result, a wave of emotional commentary hit the Web. Several prominent figures are skeptical about the Holy Fire. Suffice it to say that historian and journalist Sergey Bychkov released a book dedicated to unraveling the mystery behind the occurrence. But most people including witnesses speak of the Holy Fire as a miracle and say something unusual happens in the church.

Let the comments made by the Blessed Patriarch Theophilos about the Russian presence weigh on his conscience.

Today, many people acknowledge the positive contribution that Russia and the Church made in the Holy Land. We have built schools and hospitals, and preserved ancient Christian sanctuaries from desecration. We have given up our people's lives so that holy places would stay in the hands of the Jerusalem Greek Patriarchy. This was during the Crimean War, waged by Russia to ensure the Jerusalem Patriarchy would continue to exist. If it wasn't for Russia, it is possible there would not be any Orthodox presence in the Holy Land. So I cannot agree with such a negative estimation of Russia's and the Church's role in the Holy Land.

On the sins of fathers and children

They say children pay for the sins of their fathers... Can these sins be forgiven through prayer?

Karteneya Karteneya@rambler.ru

There is no mystical connection between the sins of parents and the lives of their children. It's a whole other story that these sins often have long-lasting repercussions. This means poor health and relationships with loved ones, or spiritual blackness. Some of our ancestors' sins influence us also through bad examples or upbringing. Apostolic Patriarch Aleskey has recounted on numerous occasions how he visited Leo Bokeriy's Center where young children undergo operations for heart failure. When he asked why this happens, Bokeriy answered: "Our parents' sins."

But we should not fear a curse connected to our ancestors' sins. We need to build our own lives in communicating with God, in truth and good. We create our own fate.

On the eternal spirit… of animals

We always lose those close to us throughout our lives. We more or less know where the souls of the deceased go. But we also lose our pets — dogs and cats. What happens to their souls when they die?

Alla vlacova@mail.ru

"Let all things that have breath praise the Lord." All things means everything living. Animals feel affection, pain and joy. I believe these creatures will not be left without God's love after their physical deaths. But I do not know what happens to them. Nothing is mentioned in this regard in the Holy Scriptures.

On the freedom of will, choice, imitation and mass culture

Is everyone really able to handle free will?

Valentina valentina-29.08@mail.ru

Interesting question. There is no unanimous answer. A person has free will. God did not create us with a definite path in life. Predestination is not God's word dictating what we should do; rather it is His knowledge about things.

At the same time, we see that most people do not build their lives based on deliberate choices. Most people simply look around and do as others do— their neighbors, colleagues, parents, husbands, wives... or listening to what is said on TV. The reality is that many people sacrifice their freedom to gratify crowds, traditions and habits that aren't always good. After so many years of totalitarianism and godlessness, it is clear that much of what we consider to be "traditional" is just the traditions of rogues and spiritually empty individuals. Today, many people do as mass culture tells them to do. Thus, many people are satisfied with the freedom that allows them to press the TV remote control and from that moment forward they forget about their freedom.

Not everyone is capable of building a life without looking at those nearby, not imitating the actions of one's neighbors, colleagues or Kseniya Sobchak, not living according to cultural stock phrases that a person hears in pop songs... And trying instead to make one's own decisions remembering all the while that any sin and vice is destructive and a moral life makes a person happy. When I talk about vices, I do not only mean obviously disgraceful things like violence and corruption. Emptiness and idleness are also vices.

On Orthodox culture and its teaching

Why doesn't the Russian Orthodox Church defend the interests of believers in regards to teaching its foundations at schools? Why can Muslims (Chechnya) teach their beliefs at schools and we can't?

Bob kbp@utec.ru

The Church speaks rather clearly about the rights of Orthodox believers including the rights of children and their parents to have an education that fits their beliefs. Another story is that the Church cannot and must not slam its fist down on the table, play the role of the opposition and turn into a politicized power. There are many arguments about these questions. They are fragile and serious. We need to admit that no one has thought of any system better than the one that exists in most European countries. Groups with various world views have the free choice to study what is closer to their beliefs at schools. On this note, I am happy that Muslims study their religion at schools. Orthodox children and children of other religions and children of nonbelievers should have the choice to study the foundations of their culture and people.

On injustice and patience

The Church calls on believers to be long-suffering. But what our conscience? Quietly suffering leaves the world's injustices and violence unexposed.

AVM zxptr19@mail.ru

Long-suffering and conciliation with evil are different things. When others insult me, when my personal interests are damaged, I must be patient. In this way I will train my spirit and receive something far more important — freedom from the evil that enslaves me if I answer insult with insult and aggression with aggression. But we can and must condemn vices in society and state. When someone close to us suffers because of someone else's actions, we must call these actions crimes or injustice. That's our duty as Christians.

Why was Nikolay II canonized?

I just can't comprehend why Nikolay II was canonized. He refused the throne and drove the country into such a state that a revolution was possible. The Tsar's family were martyrs, yes... But Nikolay II? I can't agree.

Roman savelev77@gmail.com

Tsar Nikolay II was canonized not because of his government activity but because he resignedly — with a Christian's humility and love for Russia — endured the sufferings that crossed his path. He was an honest, religious man. He could have left, saved himself and his family, but he didn't leave Russia. Regarding his misfortunes... Soviet historiography exaggerates a great deal. Russia was on an unprecedented rise. There were many accomplishments that no one knows about. Suffice it to say that the Baikal-Amurskoy roadways were developed under Nikolay II. And the Soviet authorities could not realize the plans until the 1980s. This is only one of many facts.

On football, hockey and Eurovision

Is divine intent behind the victories of our football and hockey players and Dima Bilan on Eurovision?

Nikolay sos389@yandex.ru

These accomplishments evoke tremendous joy for me like most of our fellow citizens. I watched the Zenit-Glasgow Rangers football and Russia and Canada hockey matches with immense pleasure. In both incidences our athletes showed will and mastery. And the mastery was a team effort -- a congruence of action, orderliness. These are qualities that we often lack but we need to develop.

I am not a big fan of Dima Bilan's musical genre and won't bend myself out of shape just to say that I liked his song. But interestingly, both the songs of Bilan and the Serbian winner last year have a conscious and unconscious reference to faith and high cultural traditions. I was especially pleased when I saw resident of different countries voting. Ukrainians, Georgians, Greeks, residents of the Baltics and Central and Eastern Europe showed their good feelings for Russia despite all the political conflicts. Goals, cups and gold microphones aren't the only important thing. What's significant is our country once again feels confident on the European cultural playing field. Russia feels strong, independent and has something to say to the world.

Father Vsevolod Chaplin is ready to answer your questions!

SOURCE:

Greek Orthodox patriarch looks to the future

Saturday, 05.03.2008, 09:36am

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land is trying to recover from a moral and financial crisis, its top clergyman, Patriarch Theofilos III, told The Associated Press in a rare interview.

In recent years, the church has been shaken by secretive real estate deals with Israelis, by Palestinian laymen angry about domination by Greek priests, and by a vicious power struggle that resulted in the rare removal of an incumbent patriarch, Theofilos' predecessor.

Installed in 2005, Theofilos faces multiple challenges.

His congregation is shrinking. He is struggling to maintain a delicate balance between the church, its Arab congregants and the Israeli government. And he says he is trying to bring fiscal transparency to an institution that is the second largest landowner in the Holy Land, yet chronically in debt.

"I say that our position is the position of an acrobat," he said of his church.

It took the patriarch until December to win the required recognition from the three governments in the Holy Land — Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. For the first time in three years, he is leading Easter Week rites unchallenged.

Still, this year's Holy Week — the Eastern rite churches are marking it now — was overshadowed again by squabbling. Several days ago, on Palm Sunday, Armenian and Greek Orthodox worshippers exchanged blows during a dispute over rights of worship at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site where tradition says Jesus was buried and resurrected.

Renewed tensions were expected during Saturday's holy fire ceremony at the Holy Sepulcher.
Speaking in his office in Jerusalem's walled Old City this week, Theofilos said the Palm Sunday dispute was the result of a misunderstanding and that he hoped it could be resolved through dialogue.

"We don't want to have more problems like this because they damage and destroy the image and the spirit of such events that are really very unique," said the 56-year-old patriarch.

Before the interview, the black-robed slight patriarch greeted Greek pilgrims and handed out pictures of Jesus, while leaning on his sculpted staff.

Still, Theofilos insisted that his church has a special role as one of the oldest denominations in the Holy Land — an argument that has riled other Christian groups competing for a share of the holy sites.

"The patriarchate considers itself the host, and not the guest" in the Holy Land, said the Greek-born clergyman who grew up in Jerusalem.

Theofilos acknowledged that recent years have been difficult for his church.

"The crisis that the patriarchate passed through, it was both moral, which was the most important, and of course financial," he said. "There is no doubt about it. Now we are gradually recovering because order has been restored."

The patriarch's predecessor, Irineos I, was ousted in May 2005 amid allegations that he leased two church-owned hotels in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem to groups trying to expand a Jewish presence there.

Irineos has denied the allegations, but the leases enraged the church's predominantly Palestinian flock. Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Theofilos has said he considers the leases invalid because they were never presented to the church's leadership group, or synod, for approval. The dispute has since moved to an Israeli court.

The patriarch said he would honor legitimate transactions with the state of Israel, such as the long-term lease of land on which Israel's parliament was later built.

However, all future transactions would be closely studied by the church leadership, he said. "We are not going to accept anymore the patriarchate to be treated as a real estate agency," he said.

Theofilos said the synod is now reviewing all business transactions.

Acknowledging that the church was plagued in the past by corruption and mismanagement, he said that now "there is transparency concerning the administration and finances."

Israel only recognized Theofilos in December, more than two years after he was installed by his flock. During the period of limbo, Irineos refused to step down or leave his official residence. He has since been demoted to monk.

Israel's long delay in ratifying his appointment was a "grave mistake," Theofilos said.

Yet Theofilos is not a rebel — his church depends on a delicate balancing act in dealing with the three governments in the Holy Land. "The patriarchate ... emerges as a state within a state, as an entity, a very powerful entity, spiritual entity but it is an entity which lives on the ground and not in the clouds," he said.

He has also addressed complaints by Palestinian Christians that they are being kept out of positions of authority in the church. He has appointed an Arab clergyman as his spokesman, promoted another to archbishop, and appointed a third to the 18-member synod.

Palestinian Christians say Theofilos has helped restore the church's tainted image.

"People (once) were embarrassed to say they were Orthodox," said Dimitri Diliani, who had been among those pushing to remove the previous patriarch. "He (Theofilos) managed to go through a thorny road with nobody mad at him by adhering to being a head of a church."

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AP interview: Greek Orthodox patriarch says church recovering from moral crisis

2008-04-25 17:22:17 -

JERUSALEM (AP) - The Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land is trying to recover from a moral and financial crisis, its top clergyman, Patriarch Theofilos III, told The Associated Press in a rare interview.

In recent years, the church has been shaken by secretive real estate deals with Israelis, by Palestinian laymen angry about domination by Greek priests, and by a vicious power struggle that resulted in the rare removal of an incumbent patriarch, Theofilos' predecessor.Installed in 2005, Theofilos faces multiple challenges.His congregation is shrinking. He is struggling to maintain a delicate balance between the church, its Arab congregants and the Israeli government. And he says he is trying to bring fiscal transparency to an institution that is the second largest landowner in the Holy Land, yet chronically in debt.«I say that our position is the position of an acrobat,» he said of his church.It took the patriarch until December to win the required recognition from the three governments in the Holy Land _ Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. For the first time in three years, he is leading Easter Week rites unchallenged.Still, this year's Holy Week _ the Eastern rite churches are marking it now _ was overshadowed again by squabbling. Several days ago, on Palm Sunday, Armenian and Greek Orthodox worshippers exchanged blows during a dispute over rights of worship at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site where tradition says Jesus was buried and resurrected.

Renewed tensions are expected during Saturday's holy fire ceremony at the Holy Sepulcher.

Speaking in his office in Jerusalem's walled Old City this week, Theofilos said the Palm Sunday dispute was the result of a misunderstanding and that he hoped it could be resolved through dialogue.

«We don't want to have more problems like this because they damage and destroy the image and the spirit of such events that are really very unique,» said the 56-year-old patriarch.

Before the interview, the black-robed slight patriarch greeted Greek pilgrims and handed out pictures of Jesus, while leaning on his sculpted staff.Still, Theofilos insisted that his church has a special role as one of the oldest denominations in the Holy Land _ an argument that has riled other Christian groups competing for a share of the holy sites.

«The patriarchate considers itself the host, and not the guest» in the Holy Land, said the Greek-born clergyman who grew up in Jerusalem said.

Theofilos acknowledged that recent years have been difficult for his church.«The crisis that the patriarchate passed through, it was both moral, which was the most important, and of course financial,» he said. «There is no doubt about it. Now we are gradually recovering because order has been restored.

The patriarch's predecessor, Irineos I, was ousted in May 2005 amid allegations that he leased two church-owned hotels in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem to groups trying to expand a Jewish presence there.

Irineos has denied the allegations, but the leases enraged the church's predominantly Palestinian flock. Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Theofilos has said he considers the leases invalid because they were never presented to the church's leadership group, or synod, for approval. The dispute has since moved to an Israeli court.

The patriarch said he would honor legitimate transactions with the state of Israel, such as the long-term lease of land on which Israel's parliament was later built.

However, all future transactions would be closely studied by the church leadership, he said. «We are not going to accept anymore the patriarchate to be treated as a real estate agency,» he said.

Theofilos said the synod is now reviewing all business transactions.Acknowledging that the church was plagued in the past by corruption and mismanagement, he said that now «there is transparency concerning the administration and finances.

Israel only recognized Theofilos in December, more than two years after he was installed by his flock. During the period of limbo, Irineos refused to step down or leave his official residence. He has since been demoted to monk.

Israel's long delay in ratifying his appointment was a «grave mistake,» Theofilos said.Yet Theofilos is not a rebel _ his church depends on a delicate balancing act in dealing with the three governments in the Holy Land. «The patriarchate ... emerges as a state within a state, as an entity, a very powerful entity, spiritual entity but it is an entity which lives on the ground and not in the clouds,» he said.

He has also addressed complaints by Palestinian Christians that they are being kept out of positions of authority in the church. He has appointed an Arab clergyman as his spokesman, promoted another to archbishop, and appointed a third to the 18-member synod.

Palestinian Christians say Theofilos has helped restore the church's tainted image.«People (once) were embarrassed to say they were Orthodox,» said Dimitri Diliani who had been among those pushing to remove the previous patriarch. «He (Theofilos) managed to go through a thorny road with nobody mad at him by adhering to being a head of a church.

SOURCE:

IDF to lift military curfew for pilgrims

A Christian Orthodox pilgrim bathes a young child in the Jordan River at the baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud [file]. Photo: AP

Apr 21, 2008 22:05 Updated Apr 22, 2008 2:56

By MATTHEW WAGNER

The IDF will temporarily lift a military curfew on Tuesday and Wednesday to allow thousands of Eastern Christians to make a pilgrimage to the site on the Jordan River, near Jericho, where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist.

The IDF has closed the site since the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000. Twice a year, however, the IDF, the Civil Administration and Office for Liaison and Coordination in Jericho facilitate the visit by pilgrims at the location, called Qasr el-Yahud in Arabic.

Participants from all over the world are expected to attend. The largest contingency will be from the Greek Orthodox Church, which has a significant indigenous congregation made up of Israeli Arabs, Palestinians and immigrants from the former Soviet Union who came to Israel under the Law of Return.

Ethiopian, Coptic and Syrian Orthodox congregations will also take part.

A procession will set out from the St. John Monastery to the baptism site.

Aristorchus, a senior Greek Orthodox clergyman, said that the site of Jesus' Baptism is a major attraction.

"Believers come to the Holy Land for a 'pilgrim's baptism,'" said Aristorchus. "It is not a baptism that is part of a conversion. Rather people are drawn to the Jordan River because it has holy attributes as mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments."

Aristorchus cited the story in Kings II about the prophet Elisha, who cured Na'aman, leader of the army of Aram, of leprosy, as well as the New Testament stories of John the Baptist. "People want to be close to this holiness."

According to Chrysostum, a Greek Orthodox priest based in Jerusalem, a central part of the ceremony will be the blessing of the water of the Jordan River by senior clergy.

"The blessed water is believed to provide both spiritual and physical healing," said Chrysostum.

Jericho Coordination and Liaison Office Director Yitzhak Deri said the State of Israel had an interest in making the site accessible to Christians.

"We want to provide freedom of religious expression at a place considered to be the third-most important holy site for Christians," he said.

Deri said that Eastern Christians are provided access to the site at Christmas and at Easter. Last January, some 25,000 visited the site.

He added that, for security reasons, pilgrims would not be allowed to immerse themselves in the Jordan River. But large tanks filled with water from the river would be filled and made available to those who wish to be baptized or immerse themselves.

The pilgrims would also be allowed to fill bottles of Jordan River water as a memento.

Eastern Christian sects are currently celebrating Easter, Christianity's most important holiday, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus.

This year Eastern Christians are celebrating Easter more than a month after their western brethren due to discrepancies in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Eastern Christians always celebrate their Easter after Pessah.

In an attempt to encourage Christian tourism, the Tourism Ministry has invested NIS 2 million in developing and preparing the site of Jesus's baptism for visitors.

A Civil Administration press release noted that "a mass baptism will be held by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilus III."

The Civil Administration's reference to Theophilus III as the patriarch of Jerusalem marks a change in policy dating back to the beginning of the year. Until then, Israel had refused to recognize Theophilus III.

Theophilos III replaced Irineos I, who was ousted in May 2005 over claims by the Palestinian and Jordanian Greek Orthodox communities in the Holy Land that Irineos I had illegally sold church property to Jewish investors.

SOURCE:

Priests fight at holy shrine

An Israeli police officer, left, tries to break up a fight between Greek and Armenian clergymen during Orthodox Palm Sunday ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

By Sarah El Deeb
The Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Dozens of Greek and Armenian priests and worshippers exchanged blows at one of Christianity's holiest shrines on Orthodox Palm Sunday, and used palm fronds to pummel police who tried to break up the brawl.

The fight came amid growing rivalry over religious rights at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site in Jerusalem where tradition says Jesus was buried and resurrected.

It erupted when Armenian clergy kicked out a Greek priest from their midst, pushed him to the ground and kicked him, according to witnesses.

When police intervened, some worshippers hit them with the palm fronds they were holding for the religious holiday. The Eastern Orthodox churches, including the Armenians and Greek Orthodox, follow a different calendar from Western Christians and celebrate Easter next Sunday.

Two Armenian worshippers who attacked the Greek Orthodox clergy were briefly detained by Israeli police. Scores of Armenian supporters then protested outside the police station during the questioning of the two, beating drums and chanting.

The Holy Sepulcher is shared by several Christian denominations according to a centuries-old arrangement known as the "status quo."

Each denomination jealously guards its share of the basilica, and fights over rights at the church have intensified in recent years, particularly between the Armenians and Greeks.

Father Pakrad, an Armenian priest, said the presence of the Greek priest during the Armenian observances violated the status quo. "Our priests entered the tomb. They kicked the Greek monk out of the Edicule," he said, referring to the tomb area.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Holy Land, Theofilos III, said the Armenians are pushing to change the rules, challenging what he said was the dominance of the Greek Church in the Holy Land.

The Church of the Nativity in nearby Bethlehem — where Jesus is said to have been born — also falls under the status-quo arrangement.

Last year, pre-Christmas cleaning in that church turned ugly when robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests went at each other with brooms and stones.

SOURCE:

Greek Orthodox Patriarch launches London libel claim bid

31 March 2008

By Sarah Limbrick

The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has launched a legal battle for libel damages against an Arab newspaper in a bitter dispute.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos is suing HH Saudi Research and Marketing (UK) over a story in the UK version of the newspaper Asharq Al Awsat, which he claims was defamatory.

The story claimed that he had improperly and illegally sold real estate, parted with church properties in Jerusalem, and disposed of money raised, he says.

Patriarch Theophilos claims the allegations damaged his reputation, and caused him great distress and embarrassment. He is also seeking aggravated damages, claiming that the publishers did not put the serious allegations to him first, and that a real and worthwhile attempt was made to contact him and publish his response.

There was no urgency to the story which meant it had to be published before both sides had been obtained, he claims.

Patriarch Theophilos says that the paper’s response to his complaint about the story on March 31 last year has been characterised by evasion and delay, and that solicitors did not reply until six weeks later.

The publishers added insult to injury by relying on a defence of common law qualified privilege, on the spurious basis that the article fairly represented the claims of competing camps, according to a High Court writ.

Patriarch Theophilos argues that his stated public position was not made clear in the story, although the paper had an article published in an Arab newspaper containing an interview with him.

He accuses the publishers of putting forward a series of spurious and shifting explanations for not getting a comment from him before publication, and fears that without an injunction, the allegations may be repeated.

He is seeking damages and aggravated damages for libel, and an injunction banning the publishers from repeating the allegations at the centre of his claim.

The writ was issued by solicitors Carter-Ruck.

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The Moscow Patriarchate denies Ukrainian schismatic in celebrating divine liturgy in Jerusalem church

11 March 2008, 11:02

Moscow, March 11, Interfax – The Russian Orthodox Church has refuted that a cleric of the self-proclaimed Kiev Patriarchate conducted the divine service in a Jerusalem Orthodox church.

Earlier, the web-site of the "Kiev Patriarchate" Volyn Diocese claimed that Jerusalem Orthodox hierarchs permitted schismatic "Bishop" Mikhail of Lutsk and Volyn to celebrate the divine liturgy in their church during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

"The press-service of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations is authorized to deny the truth of the publication," a statement on the Moscow Patriarchate official website reads.

The document mentioned that secretary general of the Jerusalem Patriarchate's Holy Synod Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine said "Bishop" Mikhail didn't ask him for a permission to celebrate a divine service in Orthodox churches.

"The reported schismatic liturgy is falsification. Even if they did something in the Orthodox church, it was done under false pretence," the statement said.

Archbishop Aristarchos also said all Jerusalem Orthodox clerics were informed that the "Kiev Patriarchate" representatives should not be allowed to conduct divine services as the Jerusalem Patriarchate recognizes "the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as the only canonical Church in Ukraine," the document stressed.

SOURCE:

Greek Orthodox Church sued in feud over Jewish hold on Old City property

Feb 5, 2008 23:28 Updated Feb 6, 2008 10:19


By DAN IZENBERG

Three foreign investment companies which claim to have leased property from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate have sued the church and the current holders of the properties for NIS 5 million and asked the Jerusalem District Court to evict them.

The lawsuit, which was filed on January 22, is the latest move in a legal battle that has been going on for three years. The fact that the companies claimed to have leased the properties - the Petra Hotel and the Imperial Hotel at the entrance to the Old City's Jaffa Gate - was first made public in Ma'ariv on March 18, 2005.

Further investigation revealed that behind the leasing deals was Ateret Cohanim, a yeshiva and development company whose aim is to establish as many Jewish holdings as possible in the Old City.

The companies that signed the lease were Berisford Investments Ltd., Richards Marketing Corporation and Gallow Global Ltd. One of the companies is listed in Guernsey and the other two in the Virgin Islands. They are represented here by Israeli lawyers Ze'ev Scherf, Yosef Richter and Avi Segal.

The plaintiffs wrote that they had leased all three properties in August and October of 2004 from Nikolaos Papadimas, who, on May 6, 2004, had been given power of attorney by then-Jerusalem patriarch Irineos I to make and sign leases on behalf of the church as he saw fit.

According to the plaintiffs, they had believed that the deal signed with Papadimas in the name of the patriarch had been made in good faith and had no reason to think otherwise.

In November 2004, Papadimas fled after the church opened an investigation into the transactions. Meanwhile, Irineos I, who was later fired on suspicion that he had been behind the leasing of the buildings, filed a suit against the development companies that had purportedly leased them.

He claimed he had known nothing about the leasing of the properties and that the purchasers had known that Papadimas was not authorized to lease the buildings to them.

Renato Yarak, the Jerusalem-based attorney representing the Jerusalem Patriarchate, informed the companies that the church did not recognize the lease documents.

"They were not signed legally by someone authorized to sign them in the name of my client, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, and were not confirmed by the authorized institutions including the Greek Orthodox patriarch and the Holy Synod. My clients deny receiving any payment from you for the alleged transactions. My clients will continue to use these properties on the basis of all their rights and either they or their protected will continue to hold and manage them."

Scherf and Richter did not return phone calls from The Jerusalem Post.

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Church official: No land to Jews!

Theofilos III

FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU

Cancellation of property sale could affect dividing Jerusalem

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 7, 2007

1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Aaron Klein

© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

JERUSALEM – The man enthroned here as Greek Orthodox patriarch has been asked by church leaders to cancel the sale to Jewish groups of land comprising much of a key entrance to Jerusalem's Old City, a church official told WND yesterday.

"The deal must be canceled and Theofilos knows this. We as a church will fight any smuggling of real estate to Jewish organizations," Atallah Hanna, the church's archbishop of Sebastia, told WND in an interview.

Ownership of the land in question – two hotels that comprise a large section of the Jaffa Gate, the principal entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem – could be crucial in the future status of Jerusalem during upcoming Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Following last month's U.S.-backed Annapolis summit, Israel is widely expected to evacuate eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods for the creation of an eventual Palestinian state. Previous U.S.-backed proposals have allotted Jewish-owned sections of Jerusalem to Israel and Arab-occupied real estate to the Palestinians.

The question of the ownership of the Jaffa Gate properties is at the center of a debate in Israel regarding whether to recognize Theofilos III, elected patriarch in 2005 amid charges of church irregularities. Theofilos also has been quoted by church officials as opposing the sale of Jerusalem property to Jews.

A top church official close to Theofilis, speaking to WND yesterday on condition of anonymity, said Theofilos' leadership will stand against selling land to Jews.

"Any deal that can serve the judiazation of Jerusalem is against the policy Theofilis wants the church to adopt," said the official. "All the priests and patriarchs must take this into consideration. Eastern Jerusalem is for the Palestinians."

Israel's Supreme Court is slated to decide later this month whether the Jewish state will officially recognize Theolilos. A government commission here established to offer a recommendation in the affair failed to agree whether Theoflios should be recognized.

Regional bylaws require Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox patriarch – the religious leader of 100,000 Christians in the Holy Land. – to be recognized by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Jordan and the PA approved of Theofilos, but Israel has withheld its support amid reports, first exposed by WND, that prior to the patriarchal elections Theofilos, along with other candidates for patriarch, signed a secret church document stating if he were elected leader he would nullify all transactions made by Irenios, the previous patriarch, including the Jaffa Gate sale.

Church officials tried to oust Irenios in May 2005 by holding new patriarchal elections after it was exposed he allegedly leased for 99 years the church's Jaffa Gate real estate to Jewish groups.

In a move that enraged nationalist leaders here, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month met and held a photo opportunity with Theofilos in a sign she supported the embattled cleric in spite of Israeli objections.

Also in October, the Hamas terror group expressed support for Theofilos. A delegation of senior Hamas leaders in Gaza visited the territory's main Greek Orthodox church, where they heaped praise on Theofilos for his refusal to cooperate with Israel and sell land to Jews.

Hamas leader in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar, the terror group's former foreign minister, stated he is "proud" Theofilis "isn't working with Israel."

Theofilos has claimed he is still obtaining all the information on the real estate deals conducted under the previous patriarch, Irenios, and that he hasn't made any decisions yet regarding the Jaffa's Gate sale. But some Israeli officials chalk up Theofilos' reluctance to immediately cancel the deal to the fact that the Jewish state is still deliberating whether to recognize his leadership.

But WND revealed Theofilos already signed a document stating he would nullify the Jaffa land deal.
The document, addressed to the Palestinian Authority and obtained by WND, states, "We, the candidates of the Greek Orthodox Church, hereby agree that we are obliged to abide by the law of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate. ... In the event that we are elected, we shall act for the cancellation of all transactions made during the period of Irineos I, and shall keep the Orthodox religious trust."

High-placed sources close to the church said the document was drafted by a PA government minister with the specific goal of canceling Irineos' lease of the Jaffa Gate hotels to the Jewish groups.

"The candidates were essentially blackmailed by the Palestinians that if they didn't sign the document and cancel the lease, they would not get approval of the PA as candidates and could not run in elections," a church source told WND. "This is an outright racist policy against the Jews."

A senior church leader close to Irineos told WND: "Theofilos has made statements about not providing Jerusalem land to Jews. He agrees with the Palestinians that they have the rights to eastern Jerusalem."

In May, Jordan temporarily suspended Theofilos for three months, reportedly asking him to immediately cancel the Jaffa's Gate deal. According to informed sources, Theofilis was reinstated in August after assuring Jordan he would ultimately nullify the land sale.

Irineos continues to occupy the patriarch's quarters and did not attend Theofilos' installation ceremony.

Speaking to WND, Irineos said he could not comment on the secret document regarding nullification of the Jaffa Gate sale, but said, "There is a lot at play here in the election of Theofilos and attempts at deposing [me]."

"The electorate was blackmailed into supporting Theofilos," Irineos said. "They were told by fathers and brotherhood members and others that if they didn't vote for Theofilos, they would be kicked out of the church. Documents were made to be signed, including a letter that said 'I will not stand with Irineos.'"

Irineos said he will not step down as patriarch and is "eagerly awaiting" the Israeli committee decision.

In an official document responding to Theofilos' petition for recognition, Israel has described the 2005 ceremony to enthrone Theofilos as a "serious impropriety."

"The petition of Theofilos III should be rejected, because the ceremony was held before a verdict was handed down," read the Israeli response. "Israel had already expressed its objections about the matter in a letter written by the minister for Jerusalem affairs, Tzachi Hanegbi, which the patriarchate did not take into account."

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1000 Rabbis Urge Annapolis and Religious Leaders: Number One Priority -- The Sanctity of Jerusalem

MEDIA ADVISORY, Nov. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rabbi Yehuda Levin, spokesman for 1000 Orthodox Rabbis, issued the following appeal to the leaders of the 40 countries participating in the Annapolis peace conference, as well as world leaders of Christian and Muslim denominations:

As a special emissary to the Holy Land representing the Rabbinical Alliance
of America, and the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the U.S. and Canada, I had the
merit to be a key organizer and participant in the historic conference of
religious leaders pertaining to the sanctity of the Holy City of
Jerusalem. The media coverage of this conference occurred on March 30th to
the 31st, 2005, and included a front page story in the New York Times. A
document was issued which was signed by the Israeli Chief Rabbis, the various
Christian Patriarchs, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, currently the Vatican Apostolic
Ambassador to Washington, myself, representing the American Rabbinate, and
various Muslim leaders.

The heretofore, unparalleled scope of participants in Annapolis and the
previous statements of various religious leaders, such as a statement issued by
the Vatican on November 8th, 2006, which addressed preserving the sanctity of
Jerusalem which is venerated by so many faithful, provides a unique opportunity
for building goodwill between all the religious faith
communities.

Surely the City of Jerusalem deserves the sanctity and
respect accorded to Vatican City, Mecca, Karbalah, and other cities which
faithful venerate. Thus, there should be no immoral parades, public
displays, homosexual or heterosexual, no pornography, no titillating
advertisements, no establishments which promote licentiousness, and no municipal
funding of movies, plays, or cultural events that are immodest or offend the
sensibilities, not only of the various faith communities which populate
Jerusalem, but the millions, if not billions, worldwide, who venerate Jerusalem,
and all her Holy sites.

We call upon the various religious personalities who have historically had
connections with Christian Holy sites, such as Pope Benedict, the Patriarchs of
the Russian Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Church,
etc...as well as the King of Morocco, who is traditionally charged with
protecting Muslim Holy sites, and other leaders who are not mentioned here, to
promptly join together and issue statements and exercise influence to see that a
binding agreement is signed by the appropriate authorities forever guaranteeing
the sanctity of the entire Jerusalem, the Old City, East Jerusalem, which is
largely populated by Arabs, and West Jerusalem, which is populated by
Jews. If it is called Jerusalem by any party, it should be totally devoid
of anything, which would offend any of the religious sensibilities of the major
faiths.

All who care for the sanctity of Jerusalem should insist
that the section of Israeli Basic Law which pertains to Jerusalem's' sanctity be
updated and made crystal clear, there should be zero tolerance for any type of
public immorality, immodesty, or so-called "cultural activity" which wouldn't be
acceptable in the other aforementioned cities!

Safeguarding the sanctity of Jerusalem should be the first step in this new
era of international and interreligious cooperation.

As Orthodox
Jews, we call upon the Knesset to act expeditiously and legislate in a manner
which ensures the success of this movement to preserve Jerusalem's
sanctity. We call on the Mayor and City Council of Jerusalem to defund all
immoral events that offend traditional religious sensibilities.

This common denominator of concern for the sanctity of Jerusalem will
create international goodwill and empower those who sincerely seek
peace.

Follow this link to view Rabbi Levin's Youtube Video regarding the "Annapolis Meeting": http://youtube.com/watch?v=sSUHg-ZaKps

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