Greek-Orthodox Synod sets election date for new Patriarch
Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Greek-Orthodox Synod of Jerusalem will elect its new Patriarch on August 15. Its 26 members met yesterday after the Jerusalem District Court rejected ousted Patriarch Ireneos I's application for a restraining order against the synod on Tuesday.
During the meeting the candidates were presented.
Under Church Law, any cleric holding the rank of archimandrite or above is allowed to present his candidacy for the patriarchy.
The 13 who did so yesterday include Metropolitan Timotheos and Archbishop Alexius, both of whom had been ousted by Ireneos I, and Metropolitan Cornelius, the current locum tenens of the Patriarchate or acting patriarch.
Metropolitan Cornelius himself will send the list of candidates to the governments of Israel, Jordan and Palestine for approval, even though Israel has not yet expressed itself on Ireneos I's removal.
The final voting will take place at a closed meeting of the Synod on August 15. In the first round of balloting, the list will be narrowed down to three candidates; then, later in the day, one of the three will be chosen as the new patriarch.
.png)
