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Diodoros I

Patriarchate of Jerusalem·20th century·Greece·Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Diodoros I, born Damianos G. Karivalis, served as the Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1980 to 2000. He was a monk who rose through the ranks of the Eastern Orthodox Church, eventually becoming the titular archbishop of Hierapolis before his patriarchate. His tenure was marked by controversies related to his Arabic language skills and the management of church properties.

Key Facts

  • Born Damianos G. Karivalis on August 14, 1923, on the Greek island of Chios.
  • Became a monk in 1943 and was renamed Diodoros.
  • Served as the titular archbishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia.
  • Was the Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1980 to 2000.
  • His time as Patriarch faced controversies regarding his Arabic fluency and church property sales/leases.
  • Met Pope John Paul II in early 2000 and died in December 2000.
Full Name
Diodoros I
Birth Date
1923-08-14
Death Date
2000-12-20
Term Start Date
1980
Term End Date
2000
Notable Achievements

Served As Patriarch of Jerusalem

Birth Place
Chios
Death Place
Jerusalem
Notable Status

About Diodoros I

Diodoros I, born Damianos G. Karivalis on August 14, 1923, on the Greek island of Chios, served as the Patriarch of Jerusalem in the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem from 1980 to 2000. His ecclesiastical career began with his monastic tonsure in 1943, after which he was renamed Diodoros. He was ordained a priest three years later and in 1965 became the titular archbishop of the archdiocese of Hierapolis in Phrygia.

As the Metropolitan of Hierapolis, he served as Patriarchal Exarch in Amman, Jordan, representing the Patriarch of Jerusalem until his elevation to the patriarchate in 1980. His tenure as Patriarch was not without challenges, marked by controversies primarily related to his limited fluency in Arabic and allegations of sales and long-term leases of church properties. Despite these issues, he met with Pope John Paul II in early 2000. Diodoros I died in December 2000 in Jerusalem, from complications associated with diabetes. At the time of his death, the Greek Orthodox Christian population across Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories numbered fewer than 100,000.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Diodoros I born and where?

Diodoros I was born Damianos G. Karivalis on August 14, 1923, on the Greek island of Chios.

What was Diodoros I's role in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

He served as the Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1980 to 2000. Prior to that, he was a monk, priest, and titular archbishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia.

What controversies occurred during Diodoros I's patriarchate?

Controversies during his time in office mainly stemmed from his lack of fluent Arabic and reports concerning the sales and long-term leases of church properties.

When and where did Diodoros I die?

Diodoros I died in December 2000 in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem due to complications linked to diabetes.