The Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, condemned a police decision that he must split holiday leadership duties with his controversial predecessor, Eirineos. Eirineos was dismissed as patriarch last year, but continues to receive support from the Israeli Government.

In an unusual move, police told Theophilos on February 21 they had decided, with the backing of Israeli political officials, that a prayer service marking the opening of a holiday celebrating a Greek Orthodox saint was to be conducted by Theophilos and his supporters on February 22, while Eirineos and his supporters would run a prayer service the following morning.

Theophilos said the police intervention in the Greek Orthodox Church's religious services impinged on the Church's independence.

EXTORTION

"The present reality is unacceptable," Theophilos said. "It is contrary to common sense, the independence of the Church, and the tradition of conducting spiritual lives independently. This is extortion and an inappropriate use of pressure."

Theophilos refused to attend the opening ceremony, held in Jerusalem's Old City, and recommended that no ceremonies be held at all. Another religious leader, who used to be Eirineos' deputy and is now the Patriarchate's legal advisor, led the opening ceremony instead. Police said they intervened in response to a violent incident between supporters of Theophilos and Eirineos the previous week. At the time, police arrested those involved in the scuffle (a priest was wounded and two men were arrested as police tried to break up fighting between rival factions on February 14).

That clash came in the midst of a months-long war of attrition between supporters of the two Greek Orthodox leaders which has been taking place in the streets, monasteries and churches of the Old City. The Greek Orthodox Church dismissed Eirineos in May 2005 over accusations that he had sold land in East Jerusalem to Jewish buyers, thereby provoking the Church's followers, most of whom are Palestinian. Israel has refused to recognize Theophilos as the new patriarch, and continues to back Eirineos.

"The present reality is unacceptable," Theophilos said.

"The current legal situation is that the State of Israel recognizes Eirineos, but is also aware of the complex legal and religious situation, and decided to dictate a solution and separate the sides, with each side being able to conduct prayers on a different day," Jerusalem police said in a statement.

There was a major police presence at the prayer service on February 22, which took place at the monastery next to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; Eirineos supporters possess the keys to the monastery.

There was no violence that day, but Theophilos supporters announced they plan to come from across the country and the territories to prevent Eirineos from leading ceremonies on February 23.

Police attempted to find another solution and calm tensions on the evening of February 22, but it was unclear whether they had succeeded. But there may be an end in sight. The High Court of Justice is set to rule on the case in three weeks, which could mean the issue will be resolved by Easter, when thousands of people participate in religious services.

In the meantime, both sides are fighting over every ceremony, monastery and center of power in the Patriarchate. The power struggles involved include issues such as who has the right to receive the Patriarchate's official mail; who has control over the finances; and who is authorized to ask Israel to grant visas to priests. There also have been street fights over the last few weeks, resulting in several priests being wounded and arrested.

source: http://www.orthodoxnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=WorldNews.one&content_id=14511&CFID=28782634&CFTOKEN=59027127