Cyril II of Jerusalem

In 1845 he was elected as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem under the name Cyril II (1846–1872) by the Hagiotaphites (Confraternity of the Holy Sepulchre);[2] the election was a turning point for the Church of Jerusalem, as it took back the authority to choose its own Patriarch, rather than have it dictated from Constantinople.

Cyril II participated in the Council in Constantinople, chaired by Ecumenical Patriarch Anthimus VI, in September 1872, wherein the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch also participated and which on 18/30 September declared the Bulgarian Exarchate as schismatic and its adherents excommunicated.

On September 14, 1872 Cyril II left the council in Constantinople by steamer to Jaffa and Jerusalem.

Cyril II had many supporters - especially among Christian Arabs, but also among high-ranking dignitaries, many of whom suffer because of it.

Arab notables from Jerusalem wanted former patriarch Cyril II to be a candidate for the vacant throne, but in a pastoral message, published in the newspapers, he declined this invitation on grounds of advanced age.