ACTIVITIES OF MEMBERS OF GREEK AND RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002500050004-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 16, 1998
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 31, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION TWI L U.So OMG 13 ONLY 25X1A2g
Sanitized - Ape ALFl9fAfIg &FPP82-0 &995
INFORMATION REPORT CD NO.
SECRET
COUNTRY USSR/Lebanon
:SUBJECT Activities of Llerbers of Greek and
Russian rthodox Churches
25X1A6a
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF IN
25X1X6
0
DATE DISTR. 31 Liar 1949
NO. OF PAGES 1 25X1 A2g
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW;
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
to The Soviet Legation in. Beirut is reliably reported to have'received a list of
books written by Caucasian authors on industrial, scientific, and economic
developments in the Moslem areas of the Soviet Unieno The list was conpiled
by a certain Shirianov, who is described as the head of the Caucasian Cultural
Departmet*
2a Alexis, the Patriarch of LIoscow, is reported by a reliable source to have
sent a sum equivalent to 1,500 pounds sterling to the Patriarch of Antioch,
Alexandros Tahhan (who lives in Davascus), for distribution among the
Orthodox' refugees from Palestine, This sun is to be divided between
Damascus, Jerusalem, and Alexaixiria, with an' allocation of the equivalent
of 250 pounds sterling for Azni an rofugees?
Archiaandrite Basilios Samahah,'t' who accompanied 1lyas Karam0* (the Greek
Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon) to Ltoscow in December 1947, has remained
in uoscowo He is reported by a v03-1,-placed source to have been appointed
by the Patriarch of Antioch to take charge of a nonastery'in or near Moscow
that has belonged for many years to the Church of .AtioOho Samahah.also
acts as T es fVresentative in matters bet'roen the Greek and Russian
Orthodox Churches, according to source,
4o Archimandrito Sees activities in supplying pre-Soviet articles to the
Lebanese press have called forth a, protest from the Lebanese ilirListry'
of Foreign Affairs and notables of the Greek Orthodox Community, who have
requestedTahhan to recall Saimahaho
In addition to these duties, source states that Archimandiisite Samahah is
acting as Oriental Adviser to the Russian Orthodox Church,, His out-
going mail is routed via the Soviet Foreign Office to the Soviet Legation
in Bearato
25X1 A6 Hg reCommas Saaahah has been reported by several sources of
+m ^a . y to be engaged in propaganda ? nd espionage activities
25X1A6a
El
Cornento Archbishop Karam has denied that he is
ro-soviet
b
F
p
,
u
acute the- he r csived three hundred pounds from Daniel Solod ' o t
'Minister to Lebanon, 'for expenses toward his trip to Iloscowo 25X1 X6
CLASSIFICATION
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Sanitized - Approved For Release: CIA-RDPAY-bW 050904-9
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Date;
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Class. ;...) T(3 TS S
A'P(r,D 4 4
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NO CHANGE in Class. fl
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L U ?S o OFFICIALS ONLY
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