Amman, Jordon - Irineos I, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, has challenged the decision of a church synod to dismiss him for selling church properties to Jews.
Amman's daily newspaper al-Dustour said Tuesday that a higher court in Jordan will look into the challenge in September as well as another lawsuit filed by the patriarch against the Jordanian government for approving his dismissal.
Irineos has charged that the decision to dismiss him violated the law and constituted an abuse of power.
The synod decided in May to discharge the patriarch after accusing him of selling church properties in Jerusalem to Jewish investors for $130 million.
Although Irineos rejected the accusation, the synod started preparations to elect a new patriarch.
According to a 1958 law, the Jordanian government should approve both the appointment and the dismissal of the patriarch of Jerusalem.