John X Yazigi يوحنا العاشر يازجي |
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Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East | |
Church | Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch |
See | Antioch |
Installed | February 10, 2013 |
Predecessor | Ignatius IV of Antioch |
Successor | Incumbent |
Personal details | |
Birth name | John Yazigi |
Born |
Latakia, Syria |
January 1, 1955
Residence | Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, Syria |
Alma mater |
Tishreen University University of Balamand Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
Patriarch John X (born Youhanna Yazigi; January 1, 1955 in Latakia) is primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East.
John Yazigi was born in Latakia, Syria. His father Mounah Yazigi, an Arabic language teacher, was originally from the village of Marmarita in Wadi al-Nasara and his mother Rosa Moussi is from Tripoli, Lebanon. He graduated from Tishreen University with a degree in civil engineering, then he earned a degree in theology in 1978 from the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand. In 1983, he graduated from the theological faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a focus in liturgics. He also has a degree in Byzantine music from the Conservatory of Byzantine Music of Thessaloniki.
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1979 and the priesthood in 1983.
On January 24, 1995, he was consecrated as the vicar bishop of Al-Hosn. After his consecration, Bishop John immediately began to work to revive the patriarchal monastery of St. George in Al-Humayrah, serving as the monastery's abbot from 1995-2002. Through his efforts, the monastery became a center of spiritual and public life in the area.
From 1981 until 2008, he was the instructor of liturgics at the Balamand Seminary. From 1989 until 1992, and then again from 2001 until 2005, he was also the rector of the seminary. During his second term as rector, he was also the abbot of the Balamand monastery.
On June 17, 2008, he was chosen as the metropolitan of Western and Central Europe. He was enthroned by Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antioch. On August 19, 2010, his title was changed to “Metropolitan of Europe.”