Theophilus I of Jerusalem

Theophilus I of Jerusalem was the patriarch of the Church of Jerusalem from 1012 to 1020.

Theophilus was Bishop of Hibal before his appointment as Patriarch of Jerusalem by Al Moufarridj Ibn El-Djarrah, the governor of Syria. The appointment occurred under the rule of Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim. Al Moufarridj suggested that the Christian community should re-build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, shortly after making the suggestion, Al-Hakim, who, earlier, had ordered the previous church destroyed, became enraged, declared war on Al Moufarridj, and sent his troops to Syria and Palestine. Al Moufarridj soon died and his son and Patriarch Theophilus fled into hiding. In 1013, after a new amicable governor was seated, Patriarch Theophilus returned and stayed in Jerusalem until his repose in 1020.

• Who is who in the Churches of Jerusalem

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