Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem was supported by Jordan
The government in Amman yesterday withdrew its approval of the Holy Synod at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, claiming that the makeup of the holy council contravenes a 1958 Jordanian law, which requires all council members to have Jordanian nationality. This decision comes just 18 months after Jordan refused to recognize Patriarch Theophilos III, prompting the involvement of the Greek government. It is thought that Amman’s latest decision was triggered by the removal of the Bishop of Petra, Cornelius, from the Holy Synod in September. Theophilos excluded the bishop due to a poor working relationship with him, but sources said that the Patriarch felt Cornelius was undermining him.