Patriarchate Rejects Takeover Rumors at Deir Hajla After Abbot’s Death

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After the death of Archimandrite Chrysostomos, longtime abbot of St. Gerasimos Monastery (Deir Hajla) in the Jordan Valley, rumors spread of an alleged bid to seize control of the historic site.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a statement rejecting those claims.

Full statement:

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem reaffirms its duty to protect Church properties throughout the Holy Land, including Deir Hajla (the Monastery of St. Gerasimos) in the Jordan Valley. It says its endowments and properties continue to face attempts at encroachment.

The Patriarchate notes that Deir Hajla was founded in 455 AD and that the late superior, Archimandrite Chrysostomos, served the Church there for more than 55 years. After his repose, it began administrative and financial procedures to reorganize and regularize the monastery’s affairs.

It says that, following his death, certain parties have spread fabricated rumors on social media in an effort to force the Patriarchate to abandon those reforms.

The Patriarchate stresses that the administration of monasteries, including transfers of monks and the enforcement of financial and administrative controls, belongs solely to the Patriarchate. Outside interference will not be accepted. It adds that the monks who left Deir Hajla did so of their own accord and at their own request.

The Patriarchate calls on the faithful to support these reforms so that Deir Hajla may continue its spiritual mission and its service to all communities.

Jerusalem, September 29, 2026

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a statement rejecting those claims.

Full statement:

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem reaffirms its duty to protect Church properties throughout the Holy Land, including Deir Hajla (the Monastery of St. Gerasimos) in the Jordan Valley. It says its endowments and properties continue to face attempts at encroachment.

The Patriarchate notes that Deir Hajla was founded in 455 AD and that the late superior, Archimandrite Chrysostomos, served the Church there for more than 55 years. After his repose, it began administrative and financial procedures to reorganize and regularize the monastery’s affairs.

It says that, following his death, certain parties have spread fabricated rumors on social media in an effort to force the Patriarchate to abandon those reforms.

The Patriarchate stresses that the administration of monasteries, including transfers of monks and the enforcement of financial and administrative controls, belongs solely to the Patriarchate. Outside interference will not be accepted. It adds that the monks who left Deir Hajla did so of their own accord and at their own request.

The Patriarchate calls on the faithful to support these reforms so that Deir Hajla may continue its spiritual mission and its service to all communities.

Jerusalem, September 29, 2026

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