Election of the new Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites

The Synod of Bishops of the Greek Melkite Church, gathered in Ain Traz, Lebanon, has elected as new Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, H.E. Msgr. Joseph Absi, of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, currently titular archbishop of Tarso of the Greek Melkites at the patriarchal Curia of Damascus. His Beatitude has assumed the name of Youssef Absi.

His Beatitude Youssef Absi

His Beatitude Youssef Absi was born in Damascus on 20 June 1946, and entered the Missionary Society of St. Paul where he was ordained a priest on 6 May 1973.

After concluding his studies in philosophy and theology at the major seminary of St. Paul in Harissa, Lebanon, he was awarded a licentiate in philosophy from the Lebanese University, a licentiate in theology from the St. Paul Institute in Harissa, and a doctorate in musical sciences and Byzantine hymnography from the “St. Esprit” University of Kaslik, Lebanon.

He has served as professor of philosophy at the St. Paul Institute, and of Greek and musicology at the “St. Esprit” University. He has also held the office of superior general of his original religious institute. Since 15 July 2001 he has served as titular archbishop of Tarso of the Greek Melkites, at the Patriarchal Curia of Damascus.