Ottoman State between Arabism and Hellenism: The Crisis of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem (1908-1914)

Abstract

This article deals with the last phase of a process which turned into a crisis that eroded common religious values of Orthodox Arabs and Greeks, including elements of Rum millet, with an approach including the role of the Ottoman administration in the crisis management. This process, which expressed the struggle of Arabs to participate in the administration of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem by creating social unrest during the second half of 19th century, radicalized the attitudes of Greek clergy as defenders of Greek characteristics of the Patriarchate while nurturing local Arab nationalism. The declaration of Kanun-ı Esasi in 1908 provided not only a legal basis for the demands of Arabs but also included Ottoman administration together with all its central and local institutions in the reemerging conflict more than ever. Despite feelings of freedom and equality brought about by constitutionalism, the Ottoman approach on the issue stayed traditional. In other words, while preventing the Patriarchate from turning into a ‘national church’ for Arabs, the Ottoman administration aimed to repress the corruption of Greek clergy by giving the parish council the right to supervise some duties of the Patriarchate. Finally, supervising implementation of decisions, as the political arbiter, the Ottoman administration managed to balance the disputed parties in line with ‘state interests’.