Constantinople accuses the Patriarchate of Jerusalem of undermining unity and pro-Russian stance through the media

A new round of tension is brewing in the Orthodox world: the Patriarchate of Constantinople (Phanar) has expressed serious concern over the actions of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accusing him of undermining the unity of the Orthodox Churches and working in the interests of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the Greek publication Orthodoxia.info, the current course of the Jerusalem Church is regarded as a direct challenge to the primacy of Constantinople and a betrayal of Hellenistic interests.

According to the publication, the turning point was the events of November 2019, when Patriarch Theophilus, after a visit to Moscow and a meeting with Patriarch Kirill and Russian President Vladimir Putin, initiated a «fraternal meeting» of the heads of the Churches. This step, according to the author of the article, was the realization of a plan developed in Serbia and supported by Russia to contrast the «Mother of Churches» Jerusalem to «Mother Church» Constantinople. Metropolitan Irinej of Bacsk is named as the ideologue of this concept, who asserted the special spiritual primacy of Jerusalem.

Initially, as the publication notes, Patriarch Theophilos’ «pro-Russian course» was explained by external pressure and fears of a Russian «attack» on the Patriarchate. Many perceived him as a «hostage of Russian church imperialism.» However, doubts about this version were reinforced by the fact that the Patriarch of Jerusalem never sought support from either Athens or Phanar. The holding of the «fraternal meeting» in the end not in Jerusalem, but in a hotel in Amman, was regarded by many as a betrayal, and relations with Constantinople became purely formal.

Recent events, according to the Greek publication, have finally dispelled the illusions. The unilateral actions of the Jerusalem delegation during the Sinai crisis and, especially, Patriarch Theophilos’ visit to Istanbul to meet with President Erdogan are cited as examples. It is noted that the Ecumenical Patriarchate was notified of the visit only a day in advance, with Patriarch Theophilus himself not even visiting the Phanar, which was perceived as a deliberate humiliation. Shortly thereafter, he met with Patriarch Kirill in Astana, where he called himself a representative of the «Mother of Churches».

In conclusion, the author of the material concludes that if earlier Patriarch Theophilus could be considered a hostage of circumstances, today he has become a «voluntary and zealous executor» of the plan to challenge the primacy of Constantinople. The article ends with a sharp attack: if the Patriarch of Jerusalem is planning a new «fraternal meeting,» he should hold it not in a hotel, but in a more symbolic place — for example, in the «potter’s land» in the Hinnom Valley, traditionally associated with betrayal.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Greek church media criticized Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos. The reason was the disagreement between the head of the Jerusalem Church and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on a number of fundamental issues, including the recognition of the Ukrainian schism. Patriarch Theophilos was also reminded of the Amman Council, accusing him of excessive adherence to the Moscow Patriarchate.