[ZesePreodaNed]

Irenaios comeback is dealt a blow

The former Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, Irenaios, suffered a serious blow in his attempt to wrestle back power in the Church after the Israeli Supreme Court yesterday rejected his appeal to have the process to elect his successor annulled.

The court’s decision now paves the way for a special council of clerics who ousted Irenaios to meet today to compile a short list of candidates to replace the former patriarch. Irenaios was also ordered to cover court costs, totaling 15,000 shekels (some 2,700 euros).

Once the candidates have been nominated, the list will be made known to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority — the three governments with authority over the Jerusalem Patriarchate — for approval. If no problems arise, then the election of a new patriarch should take place by August 15, sources said.

Meanwhile, in a further snub toward Irenaios, the Palestinian Authority officially recognized the caretaker patriarch, Cornelius, Bishop of Petra, who was appointed in May.

KATHIMERINI Wednesday July 20, 2005

Patriarch Alexy II arrives in Kazan

14:15

KAZAN, July 20 (RIA Novosti) - Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia has arrived in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, on a two-day visit to mark the 450th anniversary of the local eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"This year Kazan marks its 1000th anniversary," Alexy II said. "The Kazan eparchy turns 450 and tomorrow we will celebrate the day of the Kazan icon of the Virgin Mary."

The patriarch praised the wise decision of the Tatar government to build the Kul Sharif mosque, which opened in June.

The first divine service will be conducted in the recently restored ancient Annunciation Cathedral.

Kazan celebrates its 1000th anniversary in August.

The mosque and the cathedral are the core of the Kazan Kremlin.

More than ten archpriests from the Volga Federal District will attend the celebrations.

Alexy II brought the 18th century copy of the miraculous Kazan icon of the Virgin Mary, which had been kept in the Vatican for many years. Last summer the copy was returned to Russia.

The famous Kazan icon disappeared in 1904. The Church says that even its copies have been responsible for miracles.

NOVOSTI Wednesday July 20, 2005