Symeon II of Jerusalem

Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem at the time of the First Crusade (1096-1099).

Symeon II assumed office sometime after 1088; he is first mentioned as a participant at a synod in Constantinople (mod. Istanbul, Turkey) in 1094-1095. As the crusaders arrived in northern Syria and laid siege to Antioch (mod. Antakya, Turkey) in October 1097, Symeon was forced to leave Jerusalem by the Artuqid governor of the city. He went into exile to Cyprus, from where he made contact with the crusader army. Two letters to Western Christianity written perhaps at the end of 1097 and the beginning of 1099 in Symeon’s name were probably drawn up by the crusaders. They nevertheless reflect Symeon’s relationship to the crusaders at this time, who acknowledged him as rightful patriarch of Jerusalem.

During the siege of Jerusalem (June-July 1099), Symeon sent diplomatic gifts to the crusader lords in preparation for his return to office. According to the chronicler Albert of Aachen, this return was prevented only by Symeon’s death on Cyprus. However, according to the first version of the chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres, the crusaders allowed him to remain in office pending the pope’s decision about the policies to be pursued with regard to the church in Palestine. When the papal legate Daibert of Pisa arrived, the decision was taken to establish a Latin Church, and Daibert was invested as patriarch of Jerusalem. It remains unclear whether Symeon II died in summer 1099 on Cyprus or lived on as patriarch in exile. The assumption of office by his successor as Greek Orthodox patriarch did not take place until 1106/1107.

-Johannes Pahlitzsch

See also: Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of

Bibliography

Pahlitzsch, Johannes, “Symeon II. und die Errichtung der lateinischen Kirche von Jerusalem durch die Kreuzfahrer,” in Militia Sancti Sepulcri: Idea e Istituzioni, ed. Kaspar Elm and Cosimo Damiano Fonseca (Citta del Vaticano: Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme. Scientifica Commissio pro Historia Ordinis, 1998), pp. 341-360.

-, Graeci und Suriani im Paldstina der Kreuzfahrerzeit:

Beitrdge und Quellen zur Geschichte des griechisch-orthodoxen Patriarchats von Jerusalem (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2001).

Plank, Peter, “Patriarch Symeon II. von Jerusalem und der erste Kreuzzug,” Ostkirchliche Studien 43 (1994), pp. 277-327.