The work of the Metropolitan of Palestine Caesarea Parthenius of Athens "The history of the dispute between the Romans and the Armenians" as a historical source (first half of the 18th century)

The article aims to assess the Greek primary source on the GrecoArmenian disagreements over the property belonging to the holy places in Jerusalem in 1730s of the 18th century, and also to identify the circumstances that caused these disagreements, in particular, the point of view of the Greek Orthodox Church regarding church property, which contradicted the Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate fighting for its rights. This point of view was still unknown to Armenologists studying this problem and was reflected in the work of a famous Greek religious and church figure of that time, an active participant in the Greek-Armenian disputes, Metropolitan of Palestine Caesarea Parthenius (later - the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem). In light of the problem under consideration, Parthenius's work acquires the significance of a unique primary source, which for the first time became the object of analysis and evaluation in Armenology. In his narrative, Parthenius mentions or cites the Sultan's decrees, which, according to him, confirm the rights of the Greeks in Jerusalem, even the fact that the Church of St. James belongs to them, which the Armenians resolutely denied. The article examines the positions of the parties to the controversy, their actions, and their relationships based on the realities related to the controversy. In addition, it particularly emphasizes Parthenius' ability to conduct polemics and argue in the matter of opposing the claims of religious confessions (Aisors, Ethiopians, Copts) in the matter of church property. The authors come to the conclusion that the conflict was based on the Greco Armenian selfish proprietary interests in Jerusalem. We will add that the harsh and uncompromising style of Parthenius of Athens in relation to the opposite side is explained by the renewal of the religious conflict and polemical pathos. Parthenius' work is of great educational value, since it highlights the bureaucratic sluggishness and corruption of the Ottoman authorities within the framework of the controversy under consideration and its resolution.