GREEK ORTHODOX ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002200400009-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 4, 1999
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 1, 1948
• Content Type: IR

25X6A
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002200400009-8
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002200400009-8
 Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002200400009-8
ornY 25X1 A2g
GIVII L nft=1GJVE si T C
25X1X6
3. Source states that Archiz drite Antun Mai.ik is a Cotmminist sympathizer,
Althbugh this fact was known to W. Abu-auj Lis then Metropolitan of
L )me., Sidon and Dependent ea, he did nothing about the activities of
Liali4 However, ligr. Aber-RujsVU1s successor, Ugr. Bulua Xhuri, has
warned Malik against continuing his pro-Soviet propaganda, although
Malik denied having engaged In such activity. Iuformed by Malik of
Mgro Khuri's warning, Mgr. Karam told I alik to move to Beit Iteri in
the Ito Lebanon diocese. I3owever, since most of the Greek Orthodox
in Belt Mari are members of the anti-Co=nuniet al-Hi al-Qssmi al-Surf.,,
25X1 X6 they refused to accept Lialik as their priest.
40
25X1A6a
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
25X1X6
M 5.
25X1X6
Two Russian priests have replaced Arch#,mandrite Simeon Nikitin who is 25X1 A6a
now in I.io8a &, assuming his religious and other functions. Can t.
Presumably the job of liaison between the Patriarchate of Moscow
Patriarchate of Antioch,) These priests are the Archizaandrite Ambrosius,
a former White Russian from-Jerusalem, where,according to source., he had
no priestly functions and a rather shabby reputation, and Father Isaiahh,
who has been the Superior of the Monastery at 'Ain Karam ever since the
Israelis have occupied the area, The Monastery formerly did not recognize
the authority of Moscow* Father Isaiah served asp Vice.-President of the
Soviet section of the Association of Slave of Palestine in 19116.7.
Comte An article in the Palestine Post dated 6 December
o emus eel, o u
,s BOUT-aweat,
Russian odox Church dignitaries yesterday toasted the Armor of Israel 'who
Too con time our reli us v rk here'. The occasion was the installation
of Archimandrite Leonide and his deputy., Father Asaya,,in the Pravoslav
Church, the first Soviet ecclesiastics to take office in Israel territory?
In effect their arrival here extends the authority of the Russian Orthodox
Church to this area, Formerly the Pravoslav Church had no ties with the
Patriarchate in Moscowr," )
Two pro-Soviet Orthodox churchmen are:
Father Mikhail L ililcfn, a former White Russian who 13 now a
Soviet citizen, and who used to live in Istanbul, He is a
close friend of such prominent Communists as Dr, George Hanna
and Emily Faris Ibrahim, Father Liilikin has been visiting
Mgr. Karam and Mgr, Jabha?
Father Bychkov, who has a French passport, car, to Beirut
from Palestine, His brother was Major Bychkov of the
French Army, who was a delegate of the High Commissioner
in Sidon and who was killed in World War III,
6, Other pro-Soviet Orthodox Churchmen are:
Rev. Haygali, the parish priest of Sidon
Archimandrite Theodosios of Tabgb Tins Mt. Lebanon
Father Ohusn, the parish priest of Shawayr
Father Ryas Khuri, head of Mar Elias Shwcayya Convent at
Duhur "hwrayr
Father Tanios Aramuni of Purn al--Shibbak, Mt. Lebanon.
SE
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002200400009-8