Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the head bishop of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, ranking fourth of nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 2005, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem has been Theophilos III. The Patriarch is styled "Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion." The Patriarch is the head of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, and the religious leader of about 130,000 Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land, most of them Palestinians.

The Patriarchate traces its line of succession to the first Christian bishops of Jerusalem, the first being James the Just in the 1st century AD. Jerusalem was recognized as a patriarchate at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

On the importance of Jerusalem, the Catholic Encyclopedia reads:

"During the first Christian centuries the church at this place was the centre of Christianity in Jerusalem, 'Holy and glorious Sion, mother of all churches.' Certainly no spot in Christendom can be more venerable than the place of the Last Supper, which became the first Christian church."

Read more about Greek Orthodox Patriarch Of Jerusalem:  History, Current Position, Jewish Bishops of Jerusalem, Bishops of Aelia Capitolina, Bishops of Jerusalem, Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Patriarchs of Jerusalem in Exile, Return of Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Hierarchy of The Throne

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