Ecclesistical Career

His Beatitude John X

Patriarch of Antioch and all the East

 

Ecclesiastical Career:

   His Beatitude was ordained deacon in 1979 and then priest in 1983 in the Archdiocese of Latakia by His Eminence Metropolitan Youhanna Mansour. 

   From 1981, His Beatitude taught courses on liturgy in the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology. He was in due course appointed Dean of the Institute of Theology in the University of Balamand, his first appointment being from 1988 to 1991 and second from 2001 to 2005. In addition, he served as Abbot in the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand from the year 2001 to 2005. He served as Abbot of the Saint George Al Humayrah Patriarchal Monastery in Wadi Al-Nadarah, Syria, from 1993 to 2005. He founded a monastic community there and established a School of Ecclesiastical Studies that serves the Patriarchate as a whole. In addition, he participated in the founding of the Convent of Our Lady of Blemmena in Tartous, Syria.

   His Beatitude was elected by the Holy Antiochian Synod Bishop of Al Husun, Wadi Al-Nadarah in the Archdiocese of Akkar in the year 1995. He served in this position until 2008, when the Holy Synod elected him Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Europe. In addition to his work within the Orthodox Church, His Beatitude also played an important role outside the Church, not least through attending religious seminars and international conferences.

   His Beatitude is famed for the clarity of his views and his strict adherence to all that is true and just in human relations. He has excelled in bringing people together, through dialogue and conciliatory approaches to people of differing views. He is known for his compassion, friendliness, generosity, social concern and, last but not least, readiness both to listen and to offer help.

   Wherever His Beatitude has served, he has brought revival, awakening the youth and calling them to the service of both Church and society. He is particularly noted for his wisdom in managing institutions and conducting church affairs. He has played a crucial role in encouraging vocations to the ordained ministry, maintaining leadership in this regard.