I have the pleasure to announce you the election of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch: Today, Monday 13th of August, at 10.00 a.m. began the first step of the election of the Patriarch

Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters

I have the pleasure to announce you the election of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch:
Today, Monday 13th of August, at 10.00 a.m. began the first step of the election of the Patriarch when 50 members of the Orthodox synod met in the Greek orthodox Hall of the throne and elected 3 candidates among the 15 candidates: Metropolitan Cornalius, Metropolitan Ireneus, Metropolitan Thimoteus.

The second step began at 1.30 am, when the 17 members of the Fraternity of the Holy Sepulcher descended to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher met inside the Greek Orthodox Church and after a short song for the Holy Spirit, they elected one of the three while hundreds of people assembled were inside the Church waiting the results. The people were counting with their fingers and hands when we heard the names one after one, and when Ireneus took 7 votes he won the battle and all the people shouted AXIOUS with cheers of joy and sound of the bells. The other two candidates took 5 votes each.

Soon after the election which took place at 12.00 am the New elected Patriarch led the prayers and blessed the assembly after being proclaimed officially Patriarch of Jerusalem by the reading of the decree which was signed by the 17 Bishops who elected him.

Afterwards, He visited the Holy Sepulcher for a short while and the huge crowd passed through the old streets of Jerusalem toward the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to present the congratulations to the newly elected Patriarch.

I was privileged to attend all this historical Ceremony which was indeed very interesting, and I have filmed it completely and took some pictures that I sent you hereby.

I will send you some more details in tomorrow’s Olive Branch about the personality of Patriarch Ireneus who seems very simple and cute and was welcomed by all the assembly as one of the best. Many people thanked God and repeated that the Spirit worked very well and did a very good job.

We, in the Latin Patriarchate, are really delighted for this election which was for a long time awaited and wish all the best to the newly elected Patriarch and the success and progress to our Sister Orthodox Church.

Best wishes from Jerusalem which has a new Patriarch whose name is Ireneus which means Peace hoping that real peace will prevail in the hearts of all the inhabitants of this conflicted City.

Fr. Raed Abusahlia