The Qatar Issue Again Threatens the Unity of the Jerusalem and Antioch Patriarchates

The long-standing conflict between the Jerusalem and Antiochian Orthodox Churches over jurisdiction in Qatar has flared up again following the latest decisions of the Jerusalem Synod. On May 15, 2025, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem announced new appointments: Archbishop Makarios of Qatar was transferred to the Diocese of Acre, while Aristoboulos, previously Archbishop of Madaba, was appointed as the new Archbishop of Qatar.

This move prompted a sharp reaction from the Antiochian Orthodox Church. On May 16, Patriarch John X of Antioch sent an open letter to his Jerusalem counterpart condemning the Synod’s recent actions.

“With deep regret, we learned of the decision officially published on May 15, 2025… We are compelled once again to clearly affirm our inalienable right to ecclesiastical jurisdiction over Qatar,” Patriarch John wrote.

In his letter, the Antiochian Patriarch emphasized that since 2013 his Church had made repeated efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue, even after the break in Eucharistic communion in 2014. The restoration of relations in 2023 was the result of long negotiations, but Antioch now considers the Jerusalem Synod’s latest decision to “undermine all the progress achieved.”

“We bitterly note that this decision disregards all our efforts and hopes, every sincere initiative, and every effort toward reconciliation,” Patriarch John stated.

The situation around Qatar now threatens a renewed break in Eucharistic communion between the two ancient Patriarchates. Should that happen, it would not only deepen the divisions within the Orthodox world but also eliminate the possibility of future “Amman-style meetings” — a format that had previously been viewed as a platform for resolving the Ukrainian church crisis.

As previously reported, the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church welcomed the restoration of Eucharistic communion with the Antiochian Patriarchate. This was stated in the official report of the Synod’s session held on December 28, 2023, chaired by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.