Henaynei
17th June 2005, 09:57 AM
The bishopric court of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land demoted the patriarchate's isolated leader to the rank of monk, the patriarchate said yesterday.
Patriarch Irineos I has been marginalized within his church for the past three months over reports the church has leased prime property in East Jerusalem to Jewish groups. Reports of the leases have infuriated Palestinians.
The patriarchate, without mentioning the land deals, said in a statement that the decision was "the necessary canonical action" to avoid a schism in the church. It accused Irineos of "anti-canonical and anti-ecclesiastical actions," such as improperly officiating in religious ceremonies and dismissing members of the church's Holy Synod. Irineos had declined to attend the session of the 12-member court of bishops, and was demoted in absentia, the statement said. ...ha'aretz (http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/588891.html)
Patriarch Irineos I has been marginalized within his church for the past three months over reports the church has leased prime property in East Jerusalem to Jewish groups. Reports of the leases have infuriated Palestinians.
The patriarchate, without mentioning the land deals, said in a statement that the decision was "the necessary canonical action" to avoid a schism in the church. It accused Irineos of "anti-canonical and anti-ecclesiastical actions," such as improperly officiating in religious ceremonies and dismissing members of the church's Holy Synod. Irineos had declined to attend the session of the 12-member court of bishops, and was demoted in absentia, the statement said. ...ha'aretz (http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/588891.html)