Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Eastern Orthodox patriarchate in Old City, Israel
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem is the primary Eastern Orthodox church institution in the Holy Land and has its seat in the Old City. Its administration extends to several sacred sites across the region, including monasteries, churches, and pilgrim hostels maintained by a community of Greek-speaking monks and local Arab Christians.
The patriarchate was granted status as an independent church at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, becoming the fifth great patriarchal church of Christendom. Over the centuries it administered monasteries and shrines that survived from the Byzantine era through Ottoman rule.
The patriarch carries the title 'Brother of the Lord's Tomb' and resides in a monastic complex near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Monks and clergy live according to rules that reach back centuries, conducting liturgy in a form little changed since Byzantine times.
Visitors can attend services held regularly at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other churches belonging to the community. Those interested in architecture or religious art should watch for icons and frescoes visible in many of the rooms.
The library of the patriarchate preserves manuscripts and documents reaching back to early Christian times, including texts in Greek, Arabic, and Aramaic. Part of this collection is accessible to scholars studying the history of the church in the Middle East.
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