These are the Greek flags (in the colors of light blue and white), and the flags of the Patriarchate- a red cross on a white background. It is not possible to enter the compound, which serves as the abode of the “Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher”, the fraternity that manages the affairs of the community in the Holy Land and the patriarch who heads it. The symbol of the letter T with a circle at its center appears on the entrances to the buildings and on the flags as well: this is the combination of the Greek letters “Tau” and “Pi”, the initials of the Greek word “Taphos”, meaning grave. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate owns a wide area in the compound of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
On the southern side of the street (from the right, if you face the east, in the direction of “the Christian Quarter Road”), lay the offices of the ancient “Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher”, which manages the affairs of the community. On top of the entrance there is an embossment of Jesus’ grave, and beyond the entrance there are other offices, churches, and a monastery, as well as an access to the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On the northern side (left) are the abode of the patriarch, the library and the reception hall. The community is the guardian of various ancient artifacts and important scripts, and owns nearly 40 sites and institutions in the old city, as well as buildings throughout Jerusalem. All bear the symbol of the “Taphos”. Orthodoxy is the Greek word for “the straight way”, meaning the right way. Since the big separation between the churches in 1054, this term refers to the Eastern Church, whereas the Western Church, which center is in Rome, is named “Catholic” (meaning international, inclusive).
The Orthodox Christianity emphasizes mysticism and the feelings experienced in performing religious rituals. Accordingly, their church services are characterized by ornaments and incense, and the language of the prayers remains Greek. The rites are conducted behind a decorated barrier called “Iconostasis”, preventing the lay believer from seeing the priest performing them. The majority of the community is of Arab origins, but the leadership is Greek. The Greek Orthodox community owns many buildings and properties throughout Jerusalem and Israel, among them properties that were leased for the building of the Knesset (parliament) and Kiryat Hamemshala (the area of the government offices).