The stature of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has always been great as that Patriarchate is the protector of the sacred shrines within the holy land. Now comes the news that Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem has offered to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This is good news as finally an Orthodox Patriarch is rising to the occasion to bring peace.
Unlike the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria, the Patriarch of Jerusalem has not been tainted by association with the pseudo church of Ukraine. Jerusalem recognizes only the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Patriarch Theophilos and bishops of the Jerusalem Patriarchate have in fact condemned the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Jerusalem Patriarchate has a Greek Patriarch and mostly Greek bishops, but its flock is Palestinian. Also, the Russians, Georgians, and Romanians have a presence in the holy land. The Jerusalem Patriarchate is therefore multi ethnic and pan Orthodox.
It is true that problems remain over the discriminatory treatment of the Arabs. But the potential for the problems of the Patriarchate to be resolved is great as Jerusalem should be an international Church where Arabs, Russians, Georgians, and Rumanians should be included in the hierarchy. In any case, as Constantinople’s position has diminished because of its actions in Ukraine, Jerusalem appears to be rising as the center of Orthodoxy.
In 2020, Patriarch Theophilos took the initiative to convene a gathering in Amman to discuss the schism in Orthodoxy. As less than half of the Churches gathered, there were no binding decisions. But, this remains the only real effort made to address the schism.
Patriarch Theophilos has the respect of the Russian Church and government. He has the respect of Orthodox Churches. He has the independence that could permit him to play the role of mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem is the successor to Saint James, the brother of the Lord. How appropriate that a peace initiative for Orthodox nations should come from this sacred Church. Patriarch Theophilos is a true Orthodox Statesman!
AXIOS!
One reply on “Jerusalem Patriarch Offers Mediation”
As I’ve noted before, the absence of any real effort by Orthodox Christian leadership to offer to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia has been very disappointing. China, Brazil, the Vatican and even Turkey have offered to brokerage a peace deal, the Orthodox leadership have been silent. Constantinople has even issued statements which have exacerbated efforts at reconciliation. You have two warring Orthodox Christian nations, what an opportunity to promote peace and demonstrate what the Orthodox Church stands for-and the Constantinople Patriarch isn’t up to that task, apparently. Hopefully something will come out of the efforts of the Jerusalem Patriarch, but two years have already been wasted and many thousands have died or been maimed. Another missed opportunity and because of what??