Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM1621
2006-04-21 16:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

GREEKS, ARMENIANS PREDICTING CALM DURING HOLY FIRE

Tags:  PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS 
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VZCZCXYZ0055
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #1621 1111621
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 211621Z APR 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1693
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001621 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS
SUBJECT: GREEKS, ARMENIANS PREDICTING CALM DURING HOLY FIRE
CELEBRATION

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001621

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS
SUBJECT: GREEKS, ARMENIANS PREDICTING CALM DURING HOLY FIRE
CELEBRATION

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Jerusalem religious officials from the
Greek and Armenian Patriarchates are cautiously optimistic
that the April 22 Holy Fire celebration in Jerusalem's Church
of the Holy Sepulcher will pass without incident. Greek
Patriarchate officials April 21 were confident that deposed
Patriarch Irineos will not seek to participate in the
ceremonies, despite widespread rumors to the contrary. The
officials noted that despite the Government of Israel's
non-recognition of Theofolis as Greek Patriarch, the Israeli
Police have nonetheless adequately coordinated security
procedures. Meanwhile, Greek Patriarchate officials
confirmed that the Israeli Supreme Court has postponed a
review of the church's petition for GOI recognition of the
new Patriarch until July. End summary.

Holy Fire
--------------


2. (C) In separate April 21 meetings with ConGen Poloff,
Greek Patriarch Theofolis and Bishop Aristarchus, the General
Secretary of the Greek Patriarchate, voiced confidence that

SIPDIS
the Holy Fire ceremony -- which marks the symbolic
resurrection of Jesus in the Orthodox Christian tradition --
would proceed peacefully on April 22 in the Holy Sepulcher
Church. The ceremony has historically produced tensions, and
on occasion, physical violence between the Greek and Armenian
clergy and worshipers. This tension has been mixed with
rumors that the deposed Greek Patriarch Irineos would attempt
to participate in this year's ceremony. Bishop Aristarchus
acknowledged that such rumors had spread in Greece and
Jerusalem, but said that they were without merit. (Note:
Irineos is presently sequestered in his residence in the
Greek Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem, guarded by
Israeli police, since his removal as Patriarch last year.
Jordan, the PA, and Greece have formally recognized Theofolis
as the new Patriarch; Israel has not. End note.)


3. (C) Aristarchus said the Patriarchate had coordinated
with the Israeli Police in preparation for the Holy Fire
ceremony and expected the police to cooperate fully with
Theofolis during the ceremony.

Israeli Court Action
Deferred Until July
--------------


4. (C) Aristarchus and Patriarch Theofolis confirmed that
the Israeli Supreme Court last month deferred ruling on the
Patriarchate's petition for GOI recognition of Patriarch
Theofolis until July. In the interim, the Court referred the
petition to the Israeli Government for further consideration.
Theofolis suggested that the Supreme Court's delay stemmed
from the Court's reluctance to delve into religious matters.
He expressed hope that the GOI would eventually recognize him
as the new Greek Patriarch.

WALLES