Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem has been raising the alarm about the dangers facing the Christian populations of the holy land. Activities from right wing Israeli settler groups appear to threaten the existence of Christians in the holy land. A show of support for the Jerusalem Patriarchate is coming from the Russian Church.
Patriarch Kyril of Moscow has expressed his support for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and has reacted to the recent message of the Patriarch by expressing the full support of the Russian Church. It should be remembered that the Russian government and Church played significant roles in saving the Patriarchate of Antioch from destruction. We have therefore a potential model for how relations between the Russian Church and the ancient Patriarchates should be conducted.
Jerusalem is enjoying warm ties with Russia. Jerusalem has always had warm ties with Russia. This can be seen by the references by priests in the Russian Church to Jerusalem as the “mother of Churches.” The Amman synod conducted two years ago under the auspices of the Patriarch of Jerusalem as a means of addressing the Ukrainian schism showed the Patriarch of Jerusalem as a statesman in Orthodoxy.
Jerusalem maintains the traditional Orthodox calendar. It is close with the Russians. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has a presence in the holy land and has always been friendly with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Jerusalem and Antioch have excellent relations with the Russian Church.
Constantinople and Alexandria could learn from Antioch and Jerusalem. The Russians respect the ancient status of Antioch and Jerusalem, as they do Constantinople and Alexandria. If the latter two were to be satisfied with their honorary statuses the schism could be healed.
Jerusalem and Antioch are respected because of their moral stances and the way they relate to other Churches (especially Moscow). Constantinople’s arrogance and Alexandria’s treachery have been very costly for those Patriarchal sees. They regain their honor when they regain their humility.