Archbishop Joseph Absi, Patriarchal Vicar for Damascus, has been elected as the new Melkite Patriarch. Axios!
His Beatitude succeeds Patriarch Gregory.
The new Patriarch celebrated his 71st birthday yesterday. He is 44 years a priest and 15 years a bishop and a member of the Melkite Paulist Order.
His Beatitude is an American citizen, since 1990. His mother and older brother live in California.
Eis pollá eti Déspota!
Our newly elected Melkite Patriarch!