Israel confirms appointment of Greek Orthodox Patriarch

JERUSALEM (AP) — More than two years after he was sworn in as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Holy Land, Theofilos III has finally won the approval of the Israeli government, putting an end to a lengthy international saga with religious, political and financial elements.

Theofilos took office under unusual circumstances. His predecessor, Irineos I, was ousted in May 2005 after allegations that he leased church land in east Jerusalem to Jewish groups interested in expanding their presence in the Arab section of town. The long-term leases enraged the church’s predominantly Palestinian flock. Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Theofilos petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to get the state to recognize him, since under church rules he must be approved by all governments in the areas where his flock lives — Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The latter two immediately approved, but Israel deferred, awaiting word from a committee it established to examine the appointment.

Over the past two years, Israel neither recognized the naming of Theofilos, nor the removal of Irineos, who still resides in the same Jerusalem Old City compound as his replacement while openly challenging his authority.