a warning to Patriarch Kirill about the extreme undesirability of the latter’s visit to the Holy Land

for Putin will open a Hasidic museum on the Day national unity: http://rublev-museum.livejournal.com/329355.html

I wonder if they opened it or not?!

Original taken from expertmus What is Patriarch Kirill looking for in the Promised Land?

Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill (Gundyaev) will arrive on Friday, November 9, 2012, on a “peaceful” visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. This is the patriarch's first official visit to the Holy Land since his election in 2009. The Israeli Foreign Ministry calls this visit the most important from a religious point of view since the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

As part of the visit, Patriarch Kirill will visit holy places in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, who will return from Moscow by that time, and with PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

The visit, which will last until November 14, was agreed upon with the Jerusalem Patriarchate, which is experiencing far from better times. However, before last day Patriarch Kirill’s visit was kept secret, either out of superstition, or out of an ingrained habit from the times of the USSR, and it became known only the day before, while foreign media were already discussing with all their might all the vicissitudes of the visit to Israel by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. As Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, told ITAR-TASS on November 7, “this visit, in the series of visits to local Orthodox Churches, is distinguished by the special character of a pilgrimage, touching the origins of the Christian faith,” especially since the new Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' is visiting The Church, which “all Orthodox Christians call the mother of all Churches.” According to him, “Patriarch Kirill, together with the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine Theophilus III, will perform night liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher, will read Holy Gospel in the places where the events described in this holy book took place, together with pilgrims from different countries Rus' will pass Way of the Cross Savior." The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church MP will also visit the churches and monasteries of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, founded in the Holy Land more than a century and a half ago. In the Russian Gornensky Monastery, he will lead the Great Consecration of the temple, founded even before the revolution, but completed only in last years. In Israel, Patriarch Kirill will also visit Yad Vashem, a memorial perpetuating the memory of Jewish victims of Nazism

Let us recall that Patriarch Kirill, elected in 2009, has already made 3 visits in accordance with the Russian diptych of local Churches - to Turkey (Patriarchate of Constantinople, 2009), Egypt (Alexandrian Church, April 10 - 12, 2010) and Syria and Lebanon (Patriarchate of Antioch , November 12-15, 2011). Following the results of the patriarchal visit to Turkey in early July 2009, Patriarch Kirill’s closest assistant, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev) , who is tipped to be his successor, emphasized at a press conference that the newly elected primate of the Russian Orthodox Church began with the “first in honor” Patriarch of Constantinople, according to the order of the diptych . By centuries-old tradition, the newly installed patriarch pays visits to the primates of all local Orthodox Churches in the order of a diptych - a list of Churches “by seniority”, and in different Churches the diptychs do not coincide. Only the first five places (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow) do not cause controversy. In the Russian diptych, the Georgian Church is in sixth place, the Serbian Church is in seventh place, then the Romanian, Bulgarian, Cypriot, Hellenic, Albanian, Polish, Czech and Slovak, and American Churches.

In January 2010, the head of the DECR on the air of a radio station"Echo of Moscow" announced the visit of Patriarch Kirill to Georgia, confirming commitment to the principle of the diptych, as reported by ITAR-TASS: “The Patriarch of Moscow will go to Georgia after visiting the Patriarch of Jerusalem . The date is still unknown, but The Patriarch will tour local Churches in accordance with the diptych, that is, with the official order of the Churches. Georgian Church in our diptych - in sixth place." March 2, 2011 toofficial message from the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate Patriarch Kirill at a meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Russia Dorit Golender stated that “ according to tradition, after being elected to the Patriarchal throne, he visits the Local Orthodox Churches in accordance with the order established in the diptychs of the Primates. Thus, after a visit to the Patriarchate of Antioch, a visit is expectedJerusalem Church " Consequently, back in the spring of 2011, the Moscow Patriarchate was negotiating with Israeli officials about preparing the official visit of Patriarch Kirill, but suddenly circumstances changed.

Late in the evening of April 24, 2012, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev) spoke as the head of the DECR of the Russian Orthodox Church with a sensational comment for the media that the order of the so-called. “peaceful visits” of Patriarch Kirill to other local Churches changed . Instead of Israel, where he was supposed to go after visiting Syria and Lebanon, Patriarch Kirill decided to visit in April 2012. Bulgaria, in June - Cyprus, in August - Poland, and only in November - Jerusalem. Explaining the violation of the order of the diptych, the head of the ROC DECR stated that “ diptych is not a principle , which must be followed at all costs,” therefore, from now on, Patriarch Kirill “decided to carry out trips as invitations were received from a number of Local Churches, which were sent several years ago " Note that since Patriarch Kirill was elected only in 2009, these invitations could not have arrived before this date, i.e. three years ago :-)

Strangely enough, neither the patriarchal nor the church-related media commented on this violation by Patriarch Kirill of the tradition of “peaceful visits,” but it is not difficult to guess what caused it. The fact is that in April 2012 it became known about the official visit to Israel of the newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was supposed to invite, according to the agreement reached, Israeli President Shimon Peres to Moscow for a return visit in November 2012. No matter how much he denies everywhere the Russian Orthodox Church has its close “bond” with the authorities state power in Russia, but according to " strange coincidence» one or another international projects The Moscow Patriarchate completely coincides on schedule with the protocol events of Russian government agencies. Putin is holding some kind of summit of heads of state, and Patriarch Kirill is right there with his “summit” of religious leaders :-)

During the meeting between Putin and Peres in Jerusalem in June of this year, the Russian side made an official invitation to the President of Israel to pay a return visit to Moscow November 4, 2012, on National Unity Day, when the presidents of Russia and Israel were to open the world's largest Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center. But more than a month ago it was reported that the opening of this museum, which will become “the most high-tech in the entire post-Soviet space,” with the participation of Putin and Peres, was postponed to November 8. True, the Kremlin press service only confirmed on Thursday, November 1, that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli President Shimon Peres will take place in the Kremlin on November 8. Moreover, according to Haaretz journalists, Putin, who canceled almost all official events scheduled for recent weeks, refused to cancel the meeting with Peres, although he will hold it “ sitting, due to health problems " For the same reason Russian President will not take part in the opening ceremony of the Jewish Museum. Thus, Putin decided to make a “symmetrical response” to the June reception in Jerusalem, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received him “sitting, due to a broken leg” :-)

The timing of Patriarch Kirill’s visit to the Holy Land, including Jerusalem, was discussed on September 20, 2012 during a meeting of the head of the DECR Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev) and the head of the Moscow Patriarchate Office for Foreign Institutions, Archbishop Mark (Golovkov), with the Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat. After this meeting, the Patriarchal press service announced that Patriarch Kirill would visit Jerusalem in November 2012... at the invitation of the Mayor of Jerusalem Barkat . This was reported to RIA Novosti by the press service of the Russian Jewish Congress, whose president Yuri Kanner also took part in the meeting.

It should be noted that none of the news agencies mentioned that just on the eve of Patriarch Kirill’s visit to Jerusalem, the situation around Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem! This g lava shrine Christendom, where, according to legend, Jesus Christ was crucified and buried, was on the list of the heaviest debtors of the Jerusalem water company HaGihon, owing 9 million shekels (approximately $2.4 million) for water. According to the message Zman.com with reference to the Jerusalem Post newspaper, for non-payment of debts, the water company, through the service of bailiffs, seized the bank account of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, which owns extensive and unusually expensive property in the Holy Land. HaGihon said the Water Authority prohibits water corporations from waiving anyone's water bills, and HaGihon has been negotiating with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for years to pay off its debts. The HaGihon press release emphasizes that the company, by law, has the right to turn off the water altogether. Christian temple, but has so far refrained from such a step, “given the delicacy of the situation.” At the same time, the company did not dare to go to court with a demand to cut off the water supply to the debtor (as is done with ordinary consumers), since this would lead to the closure of the temple.

On November 3, 2012, the representative of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Archbishop Ischisius, told the correspondent. ITAR-TASS that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem may be closed due to debts. According to him, “the patriarch sent letters to the leaders of Russia, the USA, Israel, Cyprus and Greece. Let the whole world know what is happening to the holiest place on earth, where pilgrims and tourists come, spending millions that go to Israel.” “Representatives of the Israeli company ignore us, and we will close the temple “We cannot exist without money,” he said. Another representative of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia, reported that “ We plan, if this crisis continues, to take various actions, including closing the church ».

Meanwhile, in Russian media, incl. Orthodox Christians, real hysteria was unleashed with the spread of misinformation that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was planning to close... the Israeli authorities, and not the Patriarchate of Jerusalem itself:http://www.pravoslavie.ru/news/57185.htm In response to this demarche, the HaGihon company blamed the Jerusalem Patriarchate in deliberately stirring up a scandal.

It must be said that another Patriarch of Jerusalem, Irenaeus, expressed an official warning to Patriarch Kirill about the extreme undesirability of the latter’s visit to the Holy Land. As emphasized in his statement, “Bishop Theophilos, posing as the High Hierarch of Jerusalem, is not a Patriarch, but a conspirator and impostor. Therefore, the meeting of Patriarch Kirill with Bishop. Theophilus as “Patriarch” will bring confusion and confusion among the believers, the Patriarchate entrusted by God to His Beatitude Irenaeus.”

This official appeal of Patriarch Irenaeus was also joined by Orthodox Arabs, who treat the legitimate Patriarch with love and respect, and “the impostor and revolutionary Bishop. Theophilus" is not recognized.

Let us recall that in March 2005 a scandal broke out, during which a number of Israeli and Greek media outlets accused the Jerusalem Patriarch Irenaeus of an illegal transaction with church real estate. Journalists claimed that some schemers, with the knowledge of the patriarch, sold church land near the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem to a number of Jewish businessmen (Ateret Kohanim). Despite the absence of any evidence of illegal actions in relation to the specified real estate, a Pan-Orthodox Council was convened on an emergency basis, in which the current Patriarch Kirill took part, being then the head of the DECR, and contrary to all church canons minority vote a decision was made to depose the 140th Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus. From that moment until this day, the Patriarch has been virtually imprisoned in his own home.

On May 6, 2005, the Synod of the TOC, with a two-thirds vote, declared no confidence in Patriarch Irenaeus. The patriarch categorically denied that he was the initiator of the deal, stating that the financial manager of the patriarchate, Nicholas Papadimas, who at that time had already gone on the run, was behind it. The Patriarch refused to submit to the Synod, citing church canons, which clearly define the lifelong status of the Primate of the Church. Shortly after the scandalous deposition of Patriarch Irenaeus, the Palestinian National Authority published a report in the Al-Quds newspaper claiming that Irenaeus “did not participate in the deal at any stage and did not receive any money,” and that the deal itself was illegal because it was not fixed by the decision of the Synod. In the summer of 2011, the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon published a sensational journalistic investigation, which alleged that the current head of the TOC, Theophilos III, offered a multimillion-dollar bribe to an Israeli government official for official recognition of him as Patriarch. Besides this, there was a deal. At least in the East Jerusalem District Court, it turned out during the investigation of the Benno Zusman (Israeli Foreign Ministry) scam that one of these transactions for the sale of 1,500 sq. m. m better land in Jerusalem was signed by Patriarch Theophilos III and his financial representative in March 2011! The cost of the deal, secret negotiations on which lasted several months, is estimated at 12.5 million pounds.

In May 2012, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that although the Jerusalem Patriarchate had stopped selling its land properties, it continued to rent them out. Agreements between the Patriarchate and the tenants give the latter the full right to lease and sell land from 2051, when the lease expires. According to media sources, many major government buildings, such as the Knesset, the residence of the Israeli president and his office, the Chief Rabbinate and hundreds of buildings for Israeli settlers, were built on land leased from the Patriarchate. This also includes public parks in the center of Jerusalem.

On the eve of Patriarch Kirill's visit to Israel, another scandal erupted around the seizure of part of the land from Gornensky convent, which the head of the Russian Orthodox Church also planned to visit. The Jerusalem mayor's office approved the confiscation of land for the construction of a tram line, which should connect residential areas of Jerusalem with the largest medical center Israel - Adassa Hospital, reports website of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem. The law in Israel allows up to 40% of private territory to be seized for government needs. 10 thousand square meters are subject to alienation. meters of monastery land.

Several years ago, a route was already laid through the monastery lands towards the hospital. No compensation was paid for this, and the road actually cut the territory of the monastery in half. According to the plan of the Israeli Ministry of Transport, the tram tracks will be located 10 meters from the Church of All Saints who shone in the Russian Land and the cells of the nuns. The head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Archimandrite Isidore, is confident that there are other routes to the construction of a new route to the hospital, for example, through the village of Or, which, unlike the nuns of the monastery, needs public transport. However, the Israeli authorities, according to the archimandrite, do not want to discuss this, saying that the decision has already been made and other options are not being considered.

For reference: In 1871, the head of the Russian spiritual mission, Byzantine scholar, Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin) bought the plantation olive trees in the village of Ein Karem near Jerusalem. The site was purchased for 55 thousand francs, and a special committee was created in Russia to collect this amount. A women's community was organized on the purchased site, which three years later received its charter and was approved as a nunnery.

In 1911, construction began on the cathedral, which was supposed to be consecrated in honor of the Holy Trinity. It stopped due to the outbreak of the First World War. Construction was resumed in 2003 and completed in 2007 for the 160th anniversary of the monastery. On October 28, 2007, the temple was consecrated with a small rite in honor of All the saints who shone in the Russian land.

As reported, Patriarch Kirill is to perform the Great Consecration of this temple, but in the current intractable circumstances, all this looks like a great failure of the “mission”...

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher threatened to close the Jerusalem Patriarchate, and not Israel: http://rublev-museum.livejournal.com/368833.html

Scandal in Sofia during the visit of Patriarch Kirill: http://echo.msk.ru/blog/expertmus/883523-echo/

Patriarch Kirill has problems not only at home, but also in international arena: http://www.echo.msk.ru/blog/expertmus/882198-echo/

Putin will open a Hasidic museum on National Unity Day: http://rublev-museum.livejournal.com/329355.html

Blog of experts of the Andrei Rublev Museum, 2012

Let's remember the last day Holy Week about the Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus, who is languishing in captivity, and let us pray for him. About the real Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus, who did not want to come to an agreement with ecumenists and New Calendarists of all stripes who call themselves Orthodox. All these figures from the Church slandered Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem, and then removed their patriarch from the management of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. The Israeli government helped them all a lot in this, because... there they also wanted a flexible Patriarch of Jerusalem.

They thought, all these ecumenists and new calendarists, that they would frighten Patriarch Irenaeus and send him to some distant monastery as a simple monk. So this whole unjust history will be forgotten and the past will grow. But that was not the case. The intractable Patriarch Irenaeus, just as he did not want to cooperate with them and do lies while leading the Jerusalem Patriarchate, has not left his cell for 3 years and does not recognize the decisions of the traitor-ecumenists and New Calendarists.

Many people began to come to Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem for services and for advice. They asked for blessings, because... people knew Patriarch Irenaeus, believed him and did not want to part with him. Then the Jerusalem Synod became agitated and decided to deprive Patriarch Irenaeus of the support of honest priests and laity by boarding up his doors and putting bars on his windows. But people went to Patriarch Irenaeus anyway, and then the Jerusalem Synod decided to put iron nets and guards on the windows, depriving Patriarch Irenaeus fresh air and not allowing him to talk to people and pass food.
In the place of imprisonment of Patriarch Irenaeus, the electricity and telephone are turned off. Only water for sewerage, which is not potable, is left.

Everything necessary for Patriarch Irenaeus is provided by one person faithful to him, with the help of several other benefactors who help this person.

For all the persecutors of Patriarch Irenaeus, the best way out would be if Patriarch Irenaeus reconciled himself to the slander and left his imprisonment and retired as a monk to a monastery. Moreover, there are many who want to host Patriarch Irenaeus, but this courageous man, remembering the words of the Lord that He was persecuted before everyone else, continues his martyrdom and standing in the Truth.

Instead of Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem, another patriarch was appointed to the See of Jerusalem, who agreed in advance to do whatever he was told to do. Now he bears the title of Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus. This is a person who obeys the patriarch. Bartholomew, Patr. Kirill Gundyaev. This is a man who graduated from the Academy of the Moscow Patriarchate and knows very well what Moscow needs.

The result of all these actions was that the Holy Fire has not descended to Patriarch Theophilus for three years now. Patr. Theophilus, as it turns out, was absolutely not lying when he said that he carries a lighter in his pocket when he goes to Edicule.

In 2008, only two lamps belonging to the Orthodox were lit by flashes in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Patr. Theophilus lit the torch with a lighter. The fire they received from him burned.

In 2009, few pilgrims were allowed into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Christian Arabs who sing and dance were not allowed at all (they must be present, because once upon a time they were not allowed into the Temple and the Holy Fire did not descend), but chairs were installed and launched 2 thousand Israeli soldiers into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The soldiers sat, smoked, talked, laughed, laughed all this time. In addition, the soldiers did not allow pilgrims into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and did not even allow people into the old city.

This is where it becomes clear that Patr. Theophilus cooperates very actively with the Israeli government and agrees with everything that is told to him. Of course, in such a terrible situation there was no prayerful or grace-filled atmosphere.

It is also natural that not a single lamp or candle was lit by the flashes. Patriarch Theophilus again lit the torch from a lighter, but he pleased all those in power.

All the people who received the “Holy Fire” from Patriarch Theophilos (this time there was nowhere else to receive it in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher) felt that this fire was burning, especially those who had been attending the descent of the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for many years.

At the same time, Orthodox Greeks from Fr. Cyprus, who support Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem, and who were not allowed into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher by Israeli soldiers, knowing their commitment to Patriarch Irenaeus, went to the place of imprisonment of Patriarch Irenaeus to support him. The Cypriots broke the barriers, dispersed the guards and began to pray and sing, together with Patriarch Irenaeus, who blessed, rejoiced, prayed and sang with them.
And then, as it seems at first glance, the incredible (!) happened. Suddenly under open air flashes began and one Cypriot woman’s candles were lit. And lo and behold! This Fire did not burn anyone. And here, near the persecuted Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus, the Lord sent the Holy Fire to people, showing the whole world who the real Patriarch of Jerusalem is. The Holy Fire did not light up with Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem himself, because he does not have candles, but the Holy Fire came down to faithful Christians through the prayers of Patriarch Irenaeus.

I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will not leave true believers without His Great Sign - the descent of the Holy Fire. But since evil has now settled everywhere, the Holy Fire will descend where true believing Christians gather, who have taken up their cross and follow the Lord, through the prayers of Christian martyrs.

Unlike catholic church, where all bishoprics are subject to the Pope, Orthodox patriarchates are local, that is, independent of each other. But the role of Jerusalem cannot be denied - a holy city for all Christians. After all, the first historical church was founded there. Therefore, the authority of the primate of this patriarchy is undeniable. Who is at the head of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church? Today we will talk about it. Since his throne is in Jerusalem, and his jurisdiction extends to Syria, Palestine, Israel and Arabia (the church itself is often called the Zion Church), he cannot be outside of politics. The election of a new head is closely monitored by clergy and ministers of other orthodox local patriarchates. The statements of the Jerusalem primate often cause resonance in political circles.

The meaning of patriarchy in Christianity

It is not for nothing that Jerusalem is considered a holy city for three world religions. Christians of all denominations honor it especially zealously, because the Son of God lived and preached here. In Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified. Here He was resurrected. In this city, on the day of Pentecost, through the descent of the Holy Spirit, the first Church of God was formed. Subsequently, the apostles dispersed from here different corners earth, preaching the Gospel to all nations. Therefore, the Jerusalem Orthodox Church is considered the mother of the remaining orthodox patriarchates. Its first bishop was James the Righteous, who received the crown of martyrdom at the hands of King Herod. Since Jerusalem was constantly attacked and captured, the primacy of its patriarchate was lost and passed to the primate of Constantinople. On this moment in the diptych of churches it is listed as the fourth most important (after Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch). Full title primate - the All-Holy and Beatitude Patriarch of the holy city of Jerusalem, all Palestine, Arabia, Syria, the two banks of the Jordan, Holy Zion and Cana of Galilee.

Modern structure of the local church

Jerusalem was often the victim of invasions. To protect holy places from destruction and desecration - all the heads of the local church saw this as their calling. To do this, they were forced to use all their diplomatic abilities. The turning point occurred in the 16th century, when the Jerusalem Patriarch Herman II obtained a decree from the Ottoman authorities that all Christian shrines Palestine will from now on be in the hands of the Orthodox. In the same century, the monastic Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher was created. The monastery was inhabited only by monks who arrived from Greece. According to the position adopted in the mid-19th century, the Holy Sepulcher remained under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox, while the Bethlehem Basilica of the Nativity passed to the Catholics. Until the forties of the 19th century, the patriarchs of Jerusalem were appointed by the primate of the Church of Constantinople. Now he is elected by the Synod. But three secular authorities confirm the rank of Patriarch of Jerusalem: Palestine, Jordan and Israel. Behind long history The local church has had one hundred and forty leaders. At the moment, it is headed by the 141st Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III.

Biography

The current primate of the church in the world was named Elijah Yiannopoulos. He was born on April 4, 1952. Greek by nationality. This alone already served as a good launching pad for a career in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Majority parish priests and the believers in these lands are Arabs. But historically it has developed that the entire episcopate is elected exclusively from members of the monastic brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. And this monastery is inhabited by people from Hellas. I. Yiannopoulos was born in the village of Gargaliani, which is located in the nome of Messinia (Greece). While still a teenager, at the age of twelve, he arrived in Jerusalem and settled as a novice in the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. From 1964 to 1970, Elijah studied at the patriarchal school. the young man accepted in June 1970 from the Patriarch of Jerusalem Benedict I. As befits a monk, he took a new name - Theophilus, meaning “Loving God”.

Career in the Church

Even at the patriarchal school, the young novice showed great abilities and an unprecedented thirst for knowledge. Therefore, after taking vows, the church authorities decided that the young monk should continue his theological education. In 1975, he was sent to his homeland, Greece, to enter the theological faculty of the University of Athens. After graduating in 1978, the future Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus was elevated to the monastic rank of archimandrite. But even here the young cleric decided that his theological education was not completed. In 1981, he entered the University of Durham (UK), where he completed his studies in 1986. After returning to Jerusalem, Theophilus served as chairman of external relations for the patriarchate for two years. He subsequently served as a representative of his church in a number of organizations. In 2001-2003 he even served as ambassador to the Moscow Patriarchate, although he came to Russia infrequently. In the early 2000s, he was appointed to the honorary position of senior custodian of the Holy Sepulcher.

Previous Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus

In the summer of 2001, the Exarch of Athens (responsible for spreading the Holy Fire), Archbishop of Hierapolis and member of the Holy Synod, who bore the name Emmanuel Skopelitis in the world, was elected its primate. As a patriarch, Irenaeus the First greatly contributed to the advancement of career ladder his successor Theophilus. But in 2005, a church scandal broke out. The Holy Synod accused the Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus of giving the Israeli company long-term rental real estate in the Old Town. The primate himself refused to participate in the trial. According to the resolution of the Synod, and then the Pan-Orthodox Council, which met in Phanar, the patriarch was deposed, deprived of his priestly rank, demoted to monastic status and sentenced to imprisonment in his own cell. He stayed there for seven years until he was forced to leave for health reasons to undergo surgery.

Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem and his predecessor

The deposition of Irenaeus unexpectedly elevated the current primate of the church to a high rank. This allowed idle tongues to wag about the latter's involvement in accusations that turned out to be insufficient. But Theophilus III remained on friendly terms with his deposed predecessor. So, in 2015, Irenaeus unexpectedly appeared at the ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire, where he was welcomed and blessed by the current patriarch. By the way, the Primate of the Church of Constantinople, Bartholomew, also visited him.

Political statements of the Jerusalem Patriarch

At Easter 2008, the clergy and believers of the Russian Federation were shocked by the sharp criticism from Theophilus III against Porfiry Uspensky, the founder of the Russian spiritual mission in the Holy City. He said that the latter poisons the lives of believers with the “poison of nationalism.” and the editor-in-chief of the Church Herald magazine saw signs of Russophobia in this statement. Over the past two years, Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem has repeatedly met with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, prayed for peace in this country and discussed the problem of uniting believers into a single local church.

On Tuesday, the heads and representatives of local Orthodox churches decided to remove Patriarch Irenaeus I of Jerusalem. The reason for the resignation of the head of one of the most ancient Orthodox churches was the accusation that Irenaeus I was selling buildings belonging to the Jerusalem Patriarchate. The intra-church conflict acquired distinct political features.

The scandal associated with the name of the Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus I erupted in mid-March, when the Israeli media became aware of the details of the transaction concerning the property of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in the Holy Land. Two hotels in the old part of Jerusalem and land, on which they are located, were leased long-term (up to 199 years) to a Jewish company. The majority of Orthodox Arabs of the Holy Land, who are the flock of the Jerusalem Church (despite the fact that most of the hierarchs are Greek by origin), perceived the sale of land in East Jerusalem, populated predominantly by Arabs, as a “betrayal.” The essence of the matter is that Jerusalem is a bone of contention between Palestinians and Israelis: the Palestinians believe that it should become the capital of an independent Palestinian state, while the Israelis consider all of Jerusalem, including its Arab part, to be their capital.

In late March general secretary Archbishop Aristarchus of the Jerusalem Patriarchate called on Patriarch Irenaeus to resign. "After long thoughts and with a feeling of deep sorrow, I declare that the Patriarch of Jerusalem must leave the see so that the patriarchate can regain its authority and continue to carry out its mission in the Holy Land,” said Archbishop Aristarchus. Patriarch Irenaeus himself denies the accusations against himself, shifting all the blame for what happened to former financial manager Patriarchate of Nikos Papadimas.

On May 6, the synod of the Jerusalem Church deposed Patriarch Irenaeus by a majority vote. "Having reached an extremely critical situation in our Jerusalem Patriarchate, we have come to final decision depose Patriarch Irenaeus and decided to consider him deprived of the Patriarchal throne of Jerusalem," says the letter addressed to the heads of all local Orthodox churches. After the deposition of Irenaeus, the operational management of the church was taken over by a temporary committee consisting of three metropolitans: Basil of Caesarea, Cornelius of Petria and Capitolia. - Hesychia.

According to the rules, the resignation of the Patriarch of Jerusalem must be approved by the governments of Israel, Jordan and Palestine. On May 11, the Palestinian leadership made this official. Last week, King Abdullah II of Jordan issued a corresponding decree. The Israeli government, in fact, did not fight for the deposed head of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, declaring that it would not interfere in internal church affairs.

After the synod's decision, the hierarchy of the Jerusalem Church turned for help to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew, who last week called on the deposed Patriarch Irenaeus to leave his post "for the sake of peace in the church and his own dignity." But Irenaeus did not agree to voluntarily leave the patriarchal see, so to resolve the situation on May 17, it was decided to convene on May 24 Pan-Orthodox Cathedral in Istanbul, which was supposed to
decide the fate of the patriarch. The Russian Orthodox Church was represented at the cathedral by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk and Archpriest Nikolai Balashov.

Gathered in cathedral St. George the Victorious in Phanar, representatives of local Orthodox churches approved the deposition of Patriarch Irenaeus. “The Council of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches, which met in Constantinople, having discussed the situation in the Jerusalem Church, called on His Beatitude Patriarch Irenaeus to sacrifice himself and resign voluntarily for the sake of church peace,” Bishop Mark of Yegorievsk told Kommersant. “But Patriarch Irenaeus refused, then the Council recognized the decision of the synod on the deposition of its primate."

Almost all Orthodox hierarchs spoke in favor of the deposition of Patriarch Irenaeus. He was supported only by a representative of the Georgian Church, and representatives of the Antioch Patriarchate and the Polish Orthodox Church abstained. Now, according to Bishop Mark, the process of electing the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, and then the patriarch, will begin. According to the editor-in-chief of the Orthodox magazine "Towards Unity!" Denis Alekseev, the greatest chance of becoming the new first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem is Archbishop Anastasius of Tirana and All Albania, who will become a compromise figure for the Greeks, Arabs and Israelis.

True, the deposed patriarch himself is not going to give up and does not recognize the decision of the Council. According to his lawyer Franciscus Ragussis, Patriarch Irenaeus intends to appeal to international courts - the European Court of Human Rights and even the UN.

ATTENTION! THEY SEEK TO DESTROY PATRIARCH-CONFESSOR IRINEY (video)

Dear fathers, brothers and sisters!

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Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem did not sign in March 2016, as demanded by the ecumenists-invaders of the Church of Jerusalem, the renunciation of the patriarchate. For this they began to physically destroy him. The editors of the website “Moscow the Third Rome” received evidence from people close to him about the danger threatening the Patriarch-Confessor.

We ask everyone, literally all our fathers, brothers and sisters, to offer prayers for the martyr and confessor Patriarch of Jerusalem Irenaeus! Lord, have mercy on Your faithful servant and our Lord, Patriarch Irenaeus! Lord, protect and rescue the confessor Irenaeus from the clutches of the Antichrist’s servants! Help us Lord!

Fathers, brothers and sisters!

Below is a video that was edited by the editors of the “Moscow the Third Rome” website; it consists of fragments of video footage sent from Jerusalem. The video tells about the lawlessness currently happening in the Holy Land against Patriarch Irenaeus.

Currently, Patriarch Irenaeus is in a very difficult physical and mental condition. Moreover, just recently he was in a cheerful state of mind and practically in full physical health, met with pilgrims, priests and no one noticed his behavior and appearance anything inappropriate or strange.

In March 2016, during a meeting with the impostor ecumenist Theophilus, the latter demanded that Patriarch Irenaeus sign an agreement that the Patriarch was the servant of the Antichrist, Theophilus. Patriarch Irenaeus categorically refused and declared that he was the canonical Patriarch, and not the impostor Theophilos.

Meeting of Patriarch Irenaeus with the self-proclaimed ecumenist patriarch Theophilos (March 2016)

After this refusal, and also on the eve of the Wolf Council, which was criticized by Patriarch Irenaeus ( see link ), the enemies of the Church and Christ decided to destroy the Confessor-Patriarch, but not immediately, but gradually, so that the people would not suspect the deliberate murder of the good shepherd by the conspirators. There is no doubt that Patriarch Irenaeus is now under a strong influence: presumably chemical, mental, psychotropic, or all combined.

The film depicts Patriarch Irenaeus looking down and creating a clear feeling that he has difficulty understanding what is happening. He tries to put his fingers together for a blessing, but he fails. How painful it is to look at this! Next, M. Fotina, closest to him, talks about what she herself witnessed. There is no doubt that these conspirators and servants of the devil are deliberately destroying him.

God! Forbid Your enemies to mock and destroy our dear and beloved Patriarch Irenaeus! Help us! Tell us what to do in this situation! Save and preserve Your faithful Shepherd Irenaeus!

R.B.'s story Rostislav

Last meeting visiting Patriarch Irenaeus

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In the winter, after Patriarch Irenaeus returned from the clinic, the regime of his detention was somewhat relaxed, and it was possible to get to a meeting with him. They opened the treasured door inside the Patriarchate, which we see in Galina Tsareva’s film “God is Surrendered in Silence,” behind which Patriarch Irenaeus blesses.

This is explained, first of all, by the wide resonance that took place in the media about Patriarch Irenaeus’s admission to an Israeli hospital. Theophilus pretends that he does not keep Patriarch Irenaeus locked up, but this is not so. Everything's under control.

For the first time in 8 years, relatives and pilgrims come to see him. Finally, Mother Fotina was able to communicate humanly with her confessor. Patriarch Irenaeus himself comes out onto the street for the first time. People shout “Axios” to him everywhere and ask for his blessing. No one considers him a former or simple monk, except, of course, those subordinate to the main pirate who captured the Ship-Church of Jerusalem, leader Theophilus. But even among his subordinates there are many who sympathize and truly love His Beatitude Irenaeus. Fr. is often on duty at the gate with Arab security. Meletius. He helps pilgrims get to the imprisoned patriarch for a blessing. Patriarch Irenaeus began to serve again.

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But everything changes after Patriarch Irenaeus visited Theophilos’ birthday party. Theophilus's faithful dogs report to the island. Meletius, and he is transferred away from the patriarchate with a ban on appearing with Patriarch Irenaeus. The treasured door is locked and strict orders are given not to let anyone in to Patriarch Irenaeus. Pilgrims came to the Patriarch at the end of Lent in anticipation of a happy Easter. We are among them.

Our real dream is to go to the Holy Fire not to the Holy Sepulcher, but to Patriarch Irenaeus, so that with our Patriarch, Chrysostom of our time, martyr and confessor, we can meet the Holy Light. This is how happy pilgrims from Egypt and Serbia did it, who witnessed how the Holy Fire descended in the home church of Patriarch Irenaeus on Easter and the candles of the pilgrims present themselves lit up.

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Mother Photina brought pilgrims from different countries, hoping for a miracle that she would somehow be able to lead everyone to the Patriarch. She herself does not yet know how this will happen so that so many people can be freely brought to Patriarch Irenaeus after the recent strengthening of the attendance control regime. They make a preliminary agreement with His Beatitude Irenaeus, who will have to go out to the door himself and open the door for the guests with the key. M. Fotina’s task is only to lead them to this door. But this is the most difficult task, because the guards do not let anyone in there.

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Someone unlocked the door first or simply forgot to lock it by the grace of God. M. Fotina discovered that security was not there. She quickly commanded, and everyone whom mother had previously gathered from all over Israel easily slipped to the Vladyka for blessing. It was a real miracle! We then tried for a whole month to pull off the same trick, but we couldn’t even get close to the treasured door, which was then obviously already locked. We didn't even have the opportunity to pull the handle to check whether this was true or not.

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Among the lucky ones who came to visit the Patriarch were pilgrims from Germany, young Orthodox Japanese from Japan, nuns from Ukraine, priests from the ROCOR who were not united with the ROC MP, pilgrims from Russia, Bulgaria and Greece.

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Mother Photina looked around the Patriarch's large reception room, which was always clean and comfortable. I looked around the kitchen and saw that the Patriarch had almost no food. The refrigerator would have been empty if she had not put the food we brought there. Once again she was convinced that the products sent through the Arab almost did not reach the Patriarch at all.

She felt something, but could not clearly understand what was bothering her. Taking a closer look at the Lord, she noticed that he looked somehow unnatural, but she drove him away bad thoughts away. I started talking to the point, because time for a date is limited.

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“Vladyka, will you give me some prosphora?” “No,” came the answer. “Do you need prosphora?” – she asked, because the Patriarch regularly serves. “No,” came the answer again. “Are you not serving now?” “No,” her answer was completely discouraging. She thought, “something is wrong with him!” He hasn’t served for a long time, since he doesn’t give prosphora, and he won’t serve, since he didn’t take the prosphora! The anxiety never left her.

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She sat down next to him. Pilgrims fussed around, some took blessings, some took photographs, some wrote notes. Mother asked the Patriarch further. “How is your health?” “Are you feeling okay?” He didn't answer. She translated into English and Greek. There was no answer. Then she asked again in Russian: “Vladyka, is everything all right with your health? I didn’t hear you.” The answer was: “Yes.” She clarified: “Are you feeling well?” He replied: “Yes.”

He took her hand and, unnoticed by everyone, squeezed it tightly, as if he wanted to say something only to her. She did not calm down: “Vladyka, is everything okay with you?” The answer came immediately: “Yes.” And he squeezed her hand so hard that it hurt her so much that she stopped asking further questions. She endured and did not show that she was in pain. She realized that he wanted to tell her something, but couldn’t, didn’t know how to say it, or doubted whether it was worth explaining something. When words can’t express what’s happening here...

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And the Patriarch held her hand for a long time. She realized that he had said everything. She remembered that she needed to take the blessing. After all, this must be done right now. Who can guarantee that they will be able to meet on Easter? “Vladyka, I will have to leave for Australia soon! Will you bless me? I told you, I need to go to Australia!” He is silent. She tried to say in English: “I’m not sure I’ll come back, I only have a one-way ticket. But I can leave only with your permission. So, will you let me go or not? I'm waiting for your answer. Yes or no?" – she rapped out in pure British dialect. He answered her in Russian: “But you will come back!” And she felt better.

She didn't recognize him at all. It seemed to her that he had stopped understanding languages. She had never seen him like this in more than 15 years: “Yes-No” - and the whole conversation. For Patriarch Irenaeus to talk like that? It was as if he had been drugged with something. Something is definitely wrong, he doesn’t even serve, he feels completely bad. Only an extremely serious condition can prevent him from serving; he cannot live without service. So he is so bad... But he blessed her! And even predicts that she will return safely. His words always come true as a law. She knows it. He is never wrong. But what is happening? M. Fotina prayed: “Lord! Give me a sign what's going on."

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Suddenly the doors of the Patriarch’s apartment open from the outside, and the Arab Obumar enters his chambers. He enters the hall and walks around everyone present in surprise. With his eyes fixed on M. Fotina, he asks her a question in English: “How were you all able to get here in such a crowd? Who tricked you? Mother answers him: “I spent it.” How do you get here? Do you have your own keys? "Yes!" - the Arab answers as if it were a matter of course. “And you have your own key to the first door?” - Mother asked curiously. “Well, yes, of course, I feed him every day.” And where did he get so much trust from if Theophilus gave him own keys from all doors? And the security lets him through unhindered. Soon everyone said goodbye to the Patriarch and left, leaving the guards surprised how so many people could pass unnoticed.

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After visiting the Patriarch, M. Photina could not come to her senses. What's happening? The always cheerful and temperamental Patriarch seemed to her like a motionless doll, barely answering “yes or no.” But he understands everything perfectly, and he knows what is happening to him. Only now no one else knows what is happening in the chambers of the Patriarch, in which he has involuntarily been sitting hostage for 11 years. She can’t get out of her head the empty refrigerator... Does this mean that the Patriarch can only eat what this Arab brings him today? Why such inconvenience, after all, it’s more convenient when the refrigerator is completely full and you don’t have to bother the old man again?

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How Patriarch Irenaeus was besieged on all sides on Easter 2016, without allowing people to come to him, as well as about the descent of the Holy Fire in the cell of Patriarch Theophilus and the non-descent of the Holy Fire in 2016 on the Holy Sepulcher

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In 2006 and 2007, one could safely go to Patriarch Irenaeus without obstacles. He calmly served himself in the Church of St. Thekla, which is located next to his cell, and in which the altar is so small that there is almost no space between the Royal Doors and the Throne. But Patriarch Irenaeus served there so graciously that the pilgrims never wanted to leave him and stayed with him all day long. And when Through the prayers of His Beatitude Irenaeus, the Holy Fire descended simultaneously in his cell and on the Holy Sepulcher Those present saw this and were delighted with such a magnificent phenomenon.

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The conspirators did not like this very much. There were rumors throughout the city that the real Patriarch was now not in the Temple of the Sepulcher, but in his home church, begging for the Holy Fire. And when the dragoman reached the patriarchal church, he was perplexed how his people had already greeted him with Fire. And in 2008 they completely closed the temple, and the Patriarch could no longer serve in it.

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This year, eyewitnesses recall how desperate believers, clinging to the door of the Patriarch, were severely beaten by the police. One African man and a Serbian woman, who, despite the kicks and blows, did not open their hands, still managed to stay with Patriarch Irenaeus for prayer this year. And this poor Christian, crying and sobbing, was miraculously comforted by the Lord. During the prayer, the candles in his bundle, broken by the police, suddenly lit up on their own! And this is when in the same In 2016, at the Holy Sepulcher itself, in the entire church, not a single candle ignited on its own!

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In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, our pilgrims hid in the Church of Constantine and Helena to attend the night service and receive the Holy Fire. But Theophilus gave the order to expel everyone. At night, policemen with weapons and dogs burst into the temple, walked around the entire temple and even entered the altar with dogs. People were shocked - after all, this is a patriarchal temple, how can the “patriarch” send Jewish policemen there to drive people out, and even enter the temple with dogs? It is clear that after such desecration the temple was not reconsecrated. It no longer became important to anyone that dogs were in the temple and in the altar. For the apostate Theophilus, this is not scary or important.

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During the years of his ministry, Patriarch Irenaeus strictly forbade the police to expel people from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. And when I found out that the police would still drive me out, I prayed in the temple until the morning so that pilgrims could arrive at the temple. Before Theophilus came iron rule: whoever of the pilgrims stayed overnight in the Temple remained there until the Descent of the Holy Fire. Now Theophilus gives an order to expel everyone.

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On Holy Saturday Old city The police imposed such a burden that no one could even dream of visiting Patriarch Irenaeus. Mother Fotina said, and we also observed this, that this year at the descent of the Holy Fire there was not a single flash, not a single lamp lit up in the temple, much less anyone’s fire itself was lit . This can also be seen in the NTV channel’s report on the descent of the Holy Fire in 2016.

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A well-known cameraman from the NTV channel told me that, indeed, when Irinei served, they, the cameramen, remember how they pointed the camera at Right place, where Fire was supposed to come from. But every time they were perplexed when they discovered the appearance of Fire a few seconds, or even a minute earlier, somewhere in another part of the temple. And only then was it explained to him that this was a real miracle: the Flying of Fire on Holy Saturday. And he sincerely asks why for so many years now, under Theophilus, he has not noticed such a phenomenon?

The Fire in 2016, according to experienced people, was redder, and usually the Holy Fire is gentle at first blue color and warm. The smell of the candles this year, contrary to the usually sweet and pleasant smell, was especially stinky, as if everyone had deliberately conspired and bought the cheapest and poorest quality candles. So some believers have doubts as to whether the Holy Fire descended on the Holy Sepulcher this year?

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On the eve of the overthrow of Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem in 2005, a number of special signs were recorded in the Holy City. On Palm Sunday During the festive service, Patriarch Irenaeus walked around the temple with a palm tree. Having reached the aisle of the pillar of the flagellation of the Lord or the laying of the crown of thorns, Patriarch Irenaeus suddenly stopped and exclaimed: “How abundantly the icons stream myrrh in the aisle of the laying of the crown!” The same myrrh-streaming was visible in the area of ​​Sotnik-Longinus. Traces of myrrh-streaming on the icons can still be easily seen to this day.

Second unusual phenomenon, which the Orthodox noticed: on the eve of the deposition of Patriarch Irenaeus, Golgotha, part of which is visible below between the boundaries of Adam and the laying of the Crown of Thorns, suddenly began to bleed profusely, so profusely that it was soon covered under glass.

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And the third unusual phenomenon that Orthodox Christians saw in 2005 on Easter. The Holy Fire descended in flashes and candles were spontaneously lit during 10 Easter days in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Gethsemane. This phenomenon was so obvious and unusual that the Greeks at the Tomb of the Mother of God specifically turned off and did not turn on the electric light for a long time in order to observe such an unusual phenomenon, which had not previously been observed in Gethsemane. Spontaneous combustion of candles has also been seen several times.

In their Easter joy, people did not understand that this was an omen sent down to us. After ten days this phenomenon abruptly stopped and never happened again.

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On the 6th day of Easter, a revolutionary coup began in the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Years later, the Orthodox believe that this sign was a kind of omen for Jerusalem, that the Lord thus warned: “I give you 10 years to admonish you, if you do not repent, after the expiration of 10 years the Holy Fire will stop descending.” 10 years have passed and in the 11th year they claim that the Holy Fire did not descend, that Theophilus simply deceived people this year.

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It is necessary to bring to the attention of all Christians that all these years Edicule has not been searched by anyone, and no one has been searching Theophilus. He indirectly confirms this himself when he says that the Holy Fire for us is not the Grace of God, not miraculous phenomenon, but just a ritual by which we remember that the Lord once rose again.

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After the descent (or non-descent) of the Holy Fire, we tried to get into the Patriarchate, hoping that in the festive bustle it would be possible to get to Patriarch Irenaeus. But we came across such a cordon surrounded by barriers and police at his door that it became clear that he would not be able to get through. Theophilus gave strict and firm orders so that not even a mouse could sneak past Patriarch Irenaeus!

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Mother Fotina somehow somehow made it to the cordon and decided to record historical event- as never before had the Patriarch been surrounded by a cordon of police officers led by a colonel. In her perfect English, she unobtrusively asked the yawning police officers to take a souvenir photo of themselves with the scary officer. He kindly poses for her.

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Last meeting with Patriarch Irenaeus

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All Easter days we tried to go to Patriarch Irenaeus. But it’s not that it was not possible to get to him, even to the Church of Constantine and Helen, the Church of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, into the territory of the Patriarchate. It was even surprising to me. In previous years I visited this place without hindrance. But after Easter 2016 I was never able to get there.

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Mother Fotina tried to get through to the Patriarch. He didn't pick up the phone. If this happened before, he would definitely call her himself. But for the last few weeks he hasn’t called or answered. There’s something wrong with him,” she states.

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For more than 15 years, being his first assistant and right hand, she has been with him since the first days of his patriarchate. And she did not leave him even after the general renunciation of everyone. She has learned all his habits and understands him and feels him like family. They understand each other perfectly. So now, having seen him in person, she began to understand that clouds were gathering over Patriarch Irenaeus.

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Even when his persecution and bullying of his former subordinates had just begun, she asked him whether it would be better to leave, to leave them. He answered her like this: “This is my Cross, and I will carry it to the end, no matter what the cost!” And she understood that he would not leave Jerusalem until his death. “Okay, and I will be with him as long as it pleases the Lord!” – she decided to herself.

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But in recent weeks, M. Fotin has not found a place for himself. What she had been afraid of from the very beginning had begun. Now it is completely impossible to keep track of what they are doing with him there. The only connection is the phone, and it doesn’t answer. And her last conversations with him had completely thrown her off balance. She completely refuses to recognize this man as her Irenaeus. It’s as if he’s been replaced, as if he’s being poisoned with some kind of chemical, God forbid! His answers: Yes - No! There are no points of contact at all, developed over the years down to the slightest intonation and sigh. It just doesn't happen that way.

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Theophilus' servants beat her, cursed her, pushed her out, kicked her, swore at her and spat in her face! But these are all small things compared to the pain she feels today.

Finally we gathered to Patriarch Irenaeus. Mother Fotina regrets that she did not take everyone with her when she came to him last time. Today this is completely impossible. And she takes me and another person with her, hoping to somehow get through the security to him. The Patriarch answers immediately. We agree on what he will reveal to us.

Mother’s task is to approach the door unnoticed. We go into the Patriarchate and come across an Arab guard who is blocking our way. M. Fotina explains to him that she needs to take the elderly woman to the toilet. Security escorts the women to the toilet and stands there, waiting for them to leave. Horrible! Muslims earn their bread to Theophilus to the point of absurdity. According to all laws, he was obliged to remain at the checkpoint. After the toilet, the women leisurely leave the temple and are accompanied back by two Arabs.

M. Fotina does not mince words: “Like in prison, you accompany us like criminals, like terrorists, as if we pose some kind of threat! The chickens laugh! Or do you have nothing to do at all? On the way, he meets a priest who recognizes Fr. Meletia. He passes by and heads to the door that is treasured for us, opens it with the key and enters. Then he locks it with a key from the inside. This is how we determine that the door is now tightly closed.

The Cypriot monks who had previously managed to get to the Patriarch also said that they noticed strong changes in him, especially this fact was drawn to the attention of Hierodeacon Demetrius, who was inseparably with the Patriarch in the hospital. He told M. Photina that P. Irenaeus seemed to have been replaced. He looks more like a doll. They suspect that some drugs are added to his food.

When, after all the unsuccessful attempts to get into the Patriarcha, we agreed for him to go out onto the roof, we didn’t recognize him at all! He is wearing a black simple monk's cap. It is clear that he is very weak. He barely looked out from behind the wall, as if he was afraid of something. His face was very swollen. He tried to bless us, but did not take the cross with him. And he blessed us with his hands with a bishop’s blessing, and it was clear how he was trying to fold his fingers correctly, but they did not obey him. It was very painful to see. What are they doing to him and how to save him?