Representation, Politics, and Economy: Patriarchal Appointments in 17th-Century Ottoman Jerusalem

Abstract

This article explores patriarchal appointments in 17th-century Ottoman Jerusalem through the interconnected lenses of representation, politics, and economy. As a continuation of the Ottoman state’s broader approach to non-Muslim communities, patriarchal representation in Jerusalem held particular significance. Due to the city’s sanctity, the Ottoman state utilized Jerusalem as a platform to project its legitimacy. The sultans’ claim to universal rule—as both Islamic caliphs and Roman emperors—was expressed symbolically through their role as protectors of holy sites, patrons of Christians, and upholders of Islamic authority. In this context, Jerusalem patriarchs became crucial figures in representing the Ottoman state, Christian communities, and occasionally European powers. The study focuses on the appointment process as a means to understand the patriarchal institution’s role within the Ottoman administrative structure. Positioned at the heart of a representation crisis, patriarchs engaged with multiple networks connecting Jerusalem to Istanbul, including ties to the Ottoman central authority, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and influential intermediaries. These appointments, shaped by various political and social factors, were often resolved through imperial strategies aimed at maintaining balance. Since the position required the payment of a pişkeş (tribute), the collection of necessary funds—typically from the community— entailed financial operations. The patriarch’s authority was precisely defined through ahidnames, berats, and imperial decrees. The research is based primarily on Jerusalem sharia court registers no. 190 and no. 176 preserved in the Abu Dis Archive,2 which contain records directly related to the subject and have remained largely unexplored in the existing literature, particularly in Turkish scholarship. In addition, it draws on Istanbul sharia court registers no. 3 and no. 12 housed in the Ottoman Archives (BOA)3—almost contemporaneous with the Jerusalem ones—as well as various supplementary archival documents. This study employs a document-based historical method, analyzing archival materials to contribute not only to a better understanding of patriarchal appointments in Jerusalem but also to a broader understanding of the patriarchal institution under Ottoman governance. © 2025, Muhammed Mustafa KULU. All rights reserved.