Diaspora-Building and Cultural Diplomacy: The Greek Community of Jerusalem in Late Ottoman Times and the Mandate

Konstantinos Papastathis

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-55540-5_13

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter explores the history of the Greek diasporic community of Jerusalem in late Ottoman times and the formative years of the British Mandate. It focuses on the creation of the Greek Colony and its central community institution, the so-called Greek Club, as well as the role of Greek cultural diplomacy both with the Greek community and with Arabs of the Greek Orthodox denomination, in its development. It addresses the establishment and development of the Jerusalem Greek diaspora; its relation to the Greek state; and its links to the Orthodox Patriarchate. Overall, the chapter suggests that Greece could influence, but not control, the decision-making process within the community. The Greek diaspora was excluded from systematic influence in Church administration, lacking power over communal education, and hence politically dependent on the Church.

Highlights

The members of the Greek Jerusalem community might be divided in two subgroups: emigrants from Greece itself, and those emigrants who came mainly from within the Ottoman Empire, including refugees from Turkey after the First World War
This chapter elaborates on the history of the Greek diasporic community of Jerusalem in late Ottoman times and the formative years of the British Mandate
This chapter highlights the relationships between the Greek state, the Orthodox Patriarchate and the establishment and development of the Jerusalem Greek diaspora

Summary

Konstantinos Papastathis

Athens neither insistently claimed the right to officially administer the affairs of the Greek nationals of Palestine under protégé status by the British, which might indirectly challenge the political status quo; nor did it establish autonomous communal structures for the reproduction of national loyalties and cultural bonds, following the example of the Western countries, but kept major the functions of Jerusalem diasporic life under the traditional control of the Church. The Arab laity followed with Russian support the example of other Orthodox ethnic groups within the empire (the Bulgarian Exarchate, Orthodox Arabs in Antioch) and demanded the laicisation of communal power structures, the gradual removal of the foreign Greek hierarchy and the subsequent takeover of ecclesiastical power by the indigenous Arabs.[10] This question was linked to the management of the communal finances and property, which were under the exclusive control of the Greek clergy. Greek diplomats followed developments within the institution, and got involved in various individual cases, but did not claim the right to fully control its affairs.[13]

The Establishment and Development of the Greek Diaspora Community

The Jerusalem Greek Diaspora in the Mandate

Conclusion

Archival Material