Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchal See

The bishopric of Jerusalem, which tradition traces back to James the brother of Jesus, was raised to a patriarchate by the Council of Chalcedon in 451. In 637 Patriarch Sophronius surrendered the city to the caliph Umar under a covenant guaranteeing Christian protection; the following year the Armenian Apostolic Church began appointing bishops in Jerusalem, whose see grew into the Armenian Patriarchate of Saint James.

When the crusaders took the city in 1099 the Orthodox patriarch was driven out and a Latin patriarch installed. Greek patriarchs were elected in Constantinople until Saladin's victory of 1187 allowed their return.

Under Mamluk and Ottoman rule the Greek Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre guarded its rights in the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity against the Franciscans. In 1439 the Armenians lost and then bargained back their rights at the Golgotha chapel.