MORAN MOR IGHNATIUS ZAKKA THE FIRST PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST
1980

 Extracts from H.H.'s Biography

       H.H. was born in Mosul – Iraq on 21^st April 1933 in the faithful family if Iwas.  He was named “Sennacherib”;

       H.H. received his education at the well-comportment school at the Al-Tahra Al-Dakhilyah’s Church (Our Lady’s Church) – Then moved to Mor Touma’s School (St. Thomas School) that is located at St. Thomas Church;

       In the year 1946/1947 joined the St. Ephraim Theological Seminary in Mosul.  In the year 1954 graduated with a Diploma;

       On 28^th November 1948 he was ordained a Qoroyo (Reader) by H.E. Mor Athanasius Touma Kasseer.

       On 8^th February 1953 was promoted to the rank of Afodyakno (Half-Deacon) by H.E. Mor Gregorius Boulos Behnam.

       On 6^th June 1954 he took the monastic habit by H.E. Mor Gregorius Boulos Behnam

       On 18^th December 1955 he was promoted to the rank of full deacon by H.E. Mor Deeyonnosius Jirjes Behnam

       In the year 1955 he joined the Patriarchal staff in Homs as an assistant to the Patriarchal Secretary;

       Then became the Private Secretary of H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Afram I (1957+)

       He continued to hold the same position (i.e. the Private Secretary) when H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Yacoub III (1980+) succeeded H.H. Afram I following the latter’s departure from this earthly life in 1957;

       On 17^th November 1957 was promoted to the rank of Priest by H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Yacoub III (1980+);

       On 15^th April 1959 H.H. Yacoub III bestowed on him the honour of wearing the Holy Cross;

       Obtained a Diploma in the Media studies from Egypt

       He spent the years 1960-1962 at the General Theological College in New York, USA.  This same college, and in 1983 offered H.H. an Honorary Doctorate in Theology;

       On 17^th November 1963 H.H. Yacoub III (1980+) promoted him to the rank of Archbishop in the name of Severius, and appointed him for the Mosul Parish in Iraq.

       In the year 1964, and at the time when he was still an Archbishop, he discovered the relics of St. Thomas in Iraq.

       In the year 1969 he was transferred to Baghdad and Basra Parish, where he continued to be the Archbishop there until the time of his election as a Patriarch in the year 1980;

       In 1976 the responsibilities of running the affairs of the community in Middle Europe and Scandanvian Countries was added to his portfolio

       In 1978 the responsibility of the affairs of the community of Australia was added to his portfolio

       On 14^th September 1980 he was installed on the Holy See of Antioch during a lavish celebration that was held at St. Georges Cathedral in Damascus – Syria

       H.H. conducted several apostolic visits to several of our Syrian Orthodox Churches in different parts of the world;

       H.H. is very well known of his activities in the Ecumenical work;

       H.H. is the author of several books in dogma, interpretations of the Holy Bible, liturgy and history;

       H.H. supervises the publication of the Patriarchal Journal;

       H.H. encourages all the clergy to establish and construct monasteries and churches for our Syrian Orthodox Community.  H.H. leads by example; therefore, H.H. undertook the establishment of the great project of a Syrian Orthodox Compound in Seydnayah, which he commenced with the construction of St. Ephraim Monastery.  Further, several other buildings were added; St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Youth and Convention Centre, and other projects.

       H.H. is a member in different prestigious educational councils;

       H.H. established the order of Mor Yacoub Burd’ono for Nuns;

       H.H. is known of his humanistic approach to life;

       H.H. visited Australia on several occasions, but visited Perth twice; first in 1987, and second in 1994; 

       The Universal Syrian Orthodox Church this year (2005) celebrates the 25^th Anniversary “The Patriarchal Silver Jubilee” of H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas;

May God the Almighty benefit us with H.H. answered prayers, and we continue to ask God the Almighty to keep H.H. as the wise, righteous and virtuous leader of our Universal Holy Syrian Orthodox Church.  May God the Almighty answer our prayers.  Amen.

Source: The Light, Volume 1.45, 15 SEP 1996
Produced by St.Ephaim's Syrian Orthodox Church; Perth - Western Australia

May God The Almighty save H.H. and benefit us all of his Apostolic Blessings.

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