Abbas backs decision to remove Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

"I think it (the decision) has come as a result of the behaviours caused the loss of lots of the Orthodox Church's possessions," Abbas told reporters in Ramallah, commenting on the decision of the Holy Synod to dismiss Irenios I.

"When priests and archbishops take such decision, I think they know the whole truth," he added, according to WAFA.



The Holy Synod has decided to remove Irenios I from his chair, as a president of the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, after making sure that he was involved in a deal of selling real-estates, belonged to the Church, to Israeli investors. The issue created strong reactions among Palestinians, and non Palestinian Orthodox.

On Friday, Archimandrite Attallah Hanna confirmed the move and told WAFA that "it is a historic day and a new era has begun of the church history", adding that "we are, together Muslims and Christians, one people having one case and defending Jerusalem and its institutions and holy shrines".

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