ASIA/HOLY LAND - Orthodox Church of Jerusalem "rehabilitates" Ireneos, the Patriarch deposed in 2005

Friday, 26 July 2019 middle east   oriental churches  

theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, presided over by Patriarch Theophilos III, during the meeting concluded on July 25, decided to remove the canonical sanctions concerning the previous Patriarch, Ireneos I, which the same Synod had removed from the patriarchal office in 2005. Ireneos, thanks to the new disposition of the Synod, regains the episcopal office - which had been taken away from him - and was given the title of "Patriarch Emeritus".
Ireneos had been removed because he was accused by the clergy of his Church of having sold real estate and land belonging to the Patriarchate to intermediaries of Israeli businessmen in the old city of Jerusalem. The government of Israel recognized his successor, Theophilos III, only two years after the election.
In the statement released by the Patriarchate, it is reported that the decision of the Holy Synod with regards to the partial rehabilitation of the removed Patriarch, was also taken due to the worsening of Ireneos’ health conditions, who was recently admitted to the French Hospital in Jerusalem and is now hosted at the Orthodox monastery of San Gerasimos, in Jordan. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 26/7/2019)


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