Embattled Jerusalem patriarch claims Jordan's support in land sale crisis
AFP
Date: 04-02-05
ATHENS (AFP) - Jerusalem's embattled Patriarch Irineos I told a Greek newspaper that he has support from King Abdullah of Jordan in the ongoing Old City land sale crisis that has engulfed the Greek Orthodox patriarchate.
In an interview with Eleftheros Typos daily, Irineos again denied selling any of the church's politically-sensitive land to Jewish investors, and claimed that his administration has instead bolstered the patriarchate's land holdings inside the Old City with "several purchases."
Two days after Irineos pledged in Amman to cooperate fully with Jordanian authorities to shed light on the alleged land sale, the patriarch said he received personal encouragement from Jordan's King Abdullah in a phone conversation.
"(King Abdullah said) we are close to his side," Irineos said, adding that the Jordanian monarch told him he was fully aware of an ongoing "war" against the Greek Orthodox patriarchate.
"He is aware of everything," Irineos said. "I have known (the king) from when he was a small boy. I was a deacon then, and would lift him in my arms whenever he would come visit (then) Patriarch Benedict," he told the newspaper.
Amid calls for his resignation from a growing section of his Arab flock, and claiming that there is "an entire network that wants the Greeks to leave" the Old City, the patriarch said Saturday he had found "understanding" from the Jordanian government.
He also reiterated his insistence to remain on the patriarchy throne.
"Why should I resign? I have committed no crime," he said.
Irineos insisted that instead of sapping the patriarchate's presence in Jerusalem, he has taken steps to boost church land holdings since his election in 2001.
"We bought the Lark Hotel at David's Gate, three shops at the New Gate, three shops on Christian Street, and a complex at the Old City, near the patriarchate," he said.
This was achieved despite finding a mere 300 dollars in patriarchate coffers upon his election, he claimed.
Irineos also denied having offered a Greek convicted drug dealer and alleged police informant 400,000 dollars to help secure his election in 2001.
"I made no deal to give this man money, because I had no money," the patriarch said, contradicting a claim made by wanted fugitive Apostolos Vavylis last week.
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