this patriarchate of antioch & jerusalem
This Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem is the first Orthodox Patriarchate founded in the 21st century. At the request of thousands of Orthodox Christians from the Middle East, who came as a delegation to see the one who was still in 2021 Metropolitan Jacques, this Patriarchate was established with the will of God and the ardent desire of these faithful, more than 160,000 of whom voted for the enthronement of the Patriarch. Indeed, these Orthodox Christians, many of whom, as we know, are persecuted in their homeland, no longer wanted to depend on their structures, whether in Damascus, Beirut or Amman, and many other cities in the world.
As is well known, Antioch is one of the five Apostolic cities: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem & Antioch. As for Jerusalem , the city of Jesus Christ, its first Bishop was the Apostle James the Minor (the patron saint of our Patriarch). The Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem, having as its spiritual leader His Holiness Jacques III, Co-President of the World Alliance of Canonical Orthodox Churches and President of the World Alliance of Christian Churches, wishes to become a pillar of the new pole of Orthodoxy which already includes 75 countries spread across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.
At a time when a fratricidal war between two Orthodox countries is bringing Death and Destruction, it is more than ever time to remind the Clergy directly concerned that the spiritual life is to preach the love of God, Mercy, Peace and Brotherhood between Men, without being subservient to any capital in Europe or across the Atlantic.
The Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem will campaign, among other things, so that the two great Christian holidays: Easter and Christmas are unified, as hundreds of millions of faithful expect.
The goal and mission of the Patriarchate is to promote the expansion of the Christian faith and Eastern Orthodox doctrine, to be involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defence of Orthodox Christian traditions, To work closely and coordinate actions and initiatives across the Orthodox world, to be actively engages in ecumenical dialogue with other Christian denominations and world religions, seeking to foster understanding and cooperation, to play a crucial role in preserving and defending the Orthodox Christian faith and traditions, to be involved in interfaith dialogue with other religious leaders and organizations, promoting understanding and cooperation between different faiths, to engage in charitable work and humanitarian efforts, providing support to those in need.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem is Missionary, Apostolic and Traditional Ecumenical Patriarchate, it is ecumenical but not as defined by the usual criteria of the term ecumenical, as it is understood today in interfaith dialogues or administrative claims. It is neither a quest for artificial unity between jurisdictions nor a claim to authority over all Churches.
Its ecumenicity is based exclusively on fidelity to the apostolic and patristic faith, in a missionary and prophetic spirit.
It is not an opportunistic grouping of jurisdictions, but a call for a return to the primitive faith, transmitted without alteration from the Apostles.
1. Ecumenicity in the Sense of a Mission
Universal pliers Patriarchate is intended to be ecumenical in the sense of the universal evangelical mission, in the spirit of the command of Christ: "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
This missionary call is based on three principles Essential:
a. Professing the Faith of Ever - Transmit the apostolic faith without compromise, according to the teaching of the Apostles and the Fathers of the Church.
b. Professing the Faith of Everywhere Testifying to this faith throughout the world, beyond ecclesiastical divisions and territorial limits.
c. Professing the Faith by All - Do not restrict this transmission to clerics alone or to an ecclesiastical elite, but to allow each faithful to become a witness of Christ. Far from being a frozen institution, this Patriarchate is intended to be a ferment of spiritual renewal, a flexible structure that makes it possible to reintroduce the missionary Spirit of the primitive Church into the contemporary world.
2. A Return to the Sources of the Undivided Church
Before the councils after the first millennium, the Church was not divided by rigid borders between patriarchates. Antioch and Jerusalem were two major centres of the Christian faith, not opposite but complementary.
Antioch: First city where the disciples were called "Christians" (Acts 11:26), founded by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and cradle of the great theological and liturgical schools.
Jerusalem: The place of the Paschal Mystery, the cradle of the Church, where the first apostolic councils took place (Acts 15). History has fragmented this unity, especially with the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which saw the creation of a separate patriarchate for Jerusalem, under Byzantine imperial influence. However, this separation does not erase the original spiritual reality. The Church one, undivided, precedes human structures and remains alive through those who faithfully transmit the apostolic inheritance. The Patriarchate of Antioch and Jerusalem does not seek to artificially merge these seats, but to embody the spirit of their original unity, before the divisions imposed by history and politics. True unity does not reside in administrative decrees, but in communion in the same faith, the same Tradition and the same Spirit.
3. Absolute Fidelity to the Faith, Always, Everywhere and by All
One of the foundations of this Patriarchy is based on the theological rule enunciated by Saint Vincent de Lérins: "We must hold the faith that we have always and everywhere confessed, the one that has been believed by all, always and everywhere.” This principle is based on:
The invariability of Faith:
No addition, no modification to what has been received from the Apostles.
The universality of the Faith:
What has been professed by the Fathers and the indisputable Councils of the undivided Church.
The support of all the Faithful:
A faith that depends not only on a clergy, but is carried by the whole Body of the Church. The Patriarchate does not claim to be a new “Institution", but a witness of fidelity to this Faith of all time, without compromise with modernist excesses or jurisdictional excesses.
4. An Ecumenicity Outside the Schemes
All Institution today in the Christian world, the term ecumenical is often associated with two trends: a. Modern interfaith dialogue aimed at artificially unifying divergent tradition.
b. The claim of institutional universality, as in the case of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
This Patriarchate rejects these two approaches: It is not a question of uniting the Churches by doctrinal compromises, but of bringing each one back to authentic apostolic truth. It is not a question of claiming a hegemonic role over other Churches, but of being a spiritual lighthouse, an instrument of transmission of authentic faith. The One and Undivided Church already exists; it is hidden under human divisions, and this Patriarchate wants to be a tool to recall and restore this spiritual reality.
5. An Eschatological and Prophetic Mission
This Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem is perceived as a providential instrument in the contemporary world, a response to the current crisis of Christianity:
A galloping secularization that dilutes the message of the Christ.
A jurisdictional break-up that fragments the visibility of the Church.
A loss of missionary zeal, when the Gospel must be announced with strength and clarity. Like the prophets of the Old Testament who reminded Israel of its fidelity to God, this patriarchy wants to remind the Church of its original vocation: to be a light for the world, a faithful witness of the Truth.
Conclusion:
A Living, Missionary and Faithful Patriarchate, The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch and Jerusalem is defined by:
1. A return to the apostolic and patristic sources.
2. A universal mission, beyond institutional barriers
3. An uncompromising proclamation of authentic Faith, without compromise.
4. An eschatological vision, preparing the Church for its ultimate mission. It is therefore neither a simple ecclesial grouping, nor an administrative institution, but a living and prophetic testimony of the Truth of Christ, according to the Spirit of the Apostles and Fathers .It is an appeal to the fidelity, mission and sanctification of the Church, so that it regains its original splendour and proclaims the Gospel with power in today's world.
The Patriarch of Antioch & Jerusalem headed by Patriarch James III, under his Omophorion are;
- 92 Countries on Five continents
- More than 400 Bishops
- More than 1,800 Priests and Deacons
- More than 25,000,000 faithful
The Patriarch of Antioch & Jerusalem Headquarters is in France.
As is well known, Antioch is one of the five Apostolic cities: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem & Antioch. As for Jerusalem , the city of Jesus Christ, its first Bishop was the Apostle James the Minor (the patron saint of our Patriarch). The Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem, having as its spiritual leader His Holiness Jacques III, Co-President of the World Alliance of Canonical Orthodox Churches and President of the World Alliance of Christian Churches, wishes to become a pillar of the new pole of Orthodoxy which already includes 75 countries spread across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.
At a time when a fratricidal war between two Orthodox countries is bringing Death and Destruction, it is more than ever time to remind the Clergy directly concerned that the spiritual life is to preach the love of God, Mercy, Peace and Brotherhood between Men, without being subservient to any capital in Europe or across the Atlantic.
The Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem will campaign, among other things, so that the two great Christian holidays: Easter and Christmas are unified, as hundreds of millions of faithful expect.
The goal and mission of the Patriarchate is to promote the expansion of the Christian faith and Eastern Orthodox doctrine, to be involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defence of Orthodox Christian traditions, To work closely and coordinate actions and initiatives across the Orthodox world, to be actively engages in ecumenical dialogue with other Christian denominations and world religions, seeking to foster understanding and cooperation, to play a crucial role in preserving and defending the Orthodox Christian faith and traditions, to be involved in interfaith dialogue with other religious leaders and organizations, promoting understanding and cooperation between different faiths, to engage in charitable work and humanitarian efforts, providing support to those in need.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem is Missionary, Apostolic and Traditional Ecumenical Patriarchate, it is ecumenical but not as defined by the usual criteria of the term ecumenical, as it is understood today in interfaith dialogues or administrative claims. It is neither a quest for artificial unity between jurisdictions nor a claim to authority over all Churches.
Its ecumenicity is based exclusively on fidelity to the apostolic and patristic faith, in a missionary and prophetic spirit.
It is not an opportunistic grouping of jurisdictions, but a call for a return to the primitive faith, transmitted without alteration from the Apostles.
1. Ecumenicity in the Sense of a Mission
Universal pliers Patriarchate is intended to be ecumenical in the sense of the universal evangelical mission, in the spirit of the command of Christ: "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
This missionary call is based on three principles Essential:
a. Professing the Faith of Ever - Transmit the apostolic faith without compromise, according to the teaching of the Apostles and the Fathers of the Church.
b. Professing the Faith of Everywhere Testifying to this faith throughout the world, beyond ecclesiastical divisions and territorial limits.
c. Professing the Faith by All - Do not restrict this transmission to clerics alone or to an ecclesiastical elite, but to allow each faithful to become a witness of Christ. Far from being a frozen institution, this Patriarchate is intended to be a ferment of spiritual renewal, a flexible structure that makes it possible to reintroduce the missionary Spirit of the primitive Church into the contemporary world.
2. A Return to the Sources of the Undivided Church
Before the councils after the first millennium, the Church was not divided by rigid borders between patriarchates. Antioch and Jerusalem were two major centres of the Christian faith, not opposite but complementary.
Antioch: First city where the disciples were called "Christians" (Acts 11:26), founded by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and cradle of the great theological and liturgical schools.
Jerusalem: The place of the Paschal Mystery, the cradle of the Church, where the first apostolic councils took place (Acts 15). History has fragmented this unity, especially with the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which saw the creation of a separate patriarchate for Jerusalem, under Byzantine imperial influence. However, this separation does not erase the original spiritual reality. The Church one, undivided, precedes human structures and remains alive through those who faithfully transmit the apostolic inheritance. The Patriarchate of Antioch and Jerusalem does not seek to artificially merge these seats, but to embody the spirit of their original unity, before the divisions imposed by history and politics. True unity does not reside in administrative decrees, but in communion in the same faith, the same Tradition and the same Spirit.
3. Absolute Fidelity to the Faith, Always, Everywhere and by All
One of the foundations of this Patriarchy is based on the theological rule enunciated by Saint Vincent de Lérins: "We must hold the faith that we have always and everywhere confessed, the one that has been believed by all, always and everywhere.” This principle is based on:
The invariability of Faith:
No addition, no modification to what has been received from the Apostles.
The universality of the Faith:
What has been professed by the Fathers and the indisputable Councils of the undivided Church.
The support of all the Faithful:
A faith that depends not only on a clergy, but is carried by the whole Body of the Church. The Patriarchate does not claim to be a new “Institution", but a witness of fidelity to this Faith of all time, without compromise with modernist excesses or jurisdictional excesses.
4. An Ecumenicity Outside the Schemes
All Institution today in the Christian world, the term ecumenical is often associated with two trends: a. Modern interfaith dialogue aimed at artificially unifying divergent tradition.
b. The claim of institutional universality, as in the case of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
This Patriarchate rejects these two approaches: It is not a question of uniting the Churches by doctrinal compromises, but of bringing each one back to authentic apostolic truth. It is not a question of claiming a hegemonic role over other Churches, but of being a spiritual lighthouse, an instrument of transmission of authentic faith. The One and Undivided Church already exists; it is hidden under human divisions, and this Patriarchate wants to be a tool to recall and restore this spiritual reality.
5. An Eschatological and Prophetic Mission
This Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch & Jerusalem is perceived as a providential instrument in the contemporary world, a response to the current crisis of Christianity:
A galloping secularization that dilutes the message of the Christ.
A jurisdictional break-up that fragments the visibility of the Church.
A loss of missionary zeal, when the Gospel must be announced with strength and clarity. Like the prophets of the Old Testament who reminded Israel of its fidelity to God, this patriarchy wants to remind the Church of its original vocation: to be a light for the world, a faithful witness of the Truth.
Conclusion:
A Living, Missionary and Faithful Patriarchate, The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Antioch and Jerusalem is defined by:
1. A return to the apostolic and patristic sources.
2. A universal mission, beyond institutional barriers
3. An uncompromising proclamation of authentic Faith, without compromise.
4. An eschatological vision, preparing the Church for its ultimate mission. It is therefore neither a simple ecclesial grouping, nor an administrative institution, but a living and prophetic testimony of the Truth of Christ, according to the Spirit of the Apostles and Fathers .It is an appeal to the fidelity, mission and sanctification of the Church, so that it regains its original splendour and proclaims the Gospel with power in today's world.
The Patriarch of Antioch & Jerusalem headed by Patriarch James III, under his Omophorion are;
- 92 Countries on Five continents
- More than 400 Bishops
- More than 1,800 Priests and Deacons
- More than 25,000,000 faithful
The Patriarch of Antioch & Jerusalem Headquarters is in France.