Istanbul
In a rare display of unity, the patriarchs of the main Orthodox Christian churches voted this week to stop recognizing the patriarch of Jerusalem, Irineos I. Patriarch Irineos plunged the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem into crisis by reportedly leasing church property in east Jerusalem to Jewish investors. Angry Palestinians said the deal amounted to a Jewish takeover of Palestinian land, and the issue became a huge embarrassment to the Orthodox Church. The vote this week, at a pan-Orthodox meeting in Istanbul, does not formally remove Irineos. Only his own church members in Jerusalem can do that. But Irineos, knowing he would be removed, has refused to convene a synod. Most Greek Orthodox worshippers in Jerusalem are Palestinians.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Timeless hotels for old-school eleganceThe Blend From Jamaica to Rome, we check into incredibly atmospheric landmarks
-
Hoteliers who hostThe Blend Sublime design gets personal at these luxury properties with personality
-
Ana Khouri's jewelleryThe Blend A background in sculpture informs both Ana Khouri's creative process and the sensory appeal of her sought-after pieces
