Patriarchate of Jerusalem: Archbishop of Sebastia appointed as Patriarchal Vicar for Archdiocese of Acre
The Holy Synod convened on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Jerusalem Patriarchate’s headquarters chaired by Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem.
The Patriarch discussed with members of the Synod several issues, where His Beatitude briefed the members on the reason for convening this urgent exceptional session, that is being his recent meeting with a number of the Church council and committee members from the city of Acre and its district, where they put before Patriarch Theophilos their most important pastoral demands and ecclesiastical needs in that region, where they spoke with responsibility and fear for the interest of the parish and their close connection with their Jerusalem Church with all the challenges facing them in the region.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos highlighted to the Holy Synod Fathers the results of the discussions that took place and the proposals attributed by them, to take the appropriate decision that is in the interest of our parishioners in the Acre region.
In response to these recommendations, and in order to preserve the spirit of love and unity, the Patriarch appointed Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah Hanna) of Sebastia as the Patriarchal Vicar for the Archdiocese of Acre and its district, with full episcopal powers for this Archdiocese, as well as appointing him as the president of the Ecclesiastical Court in Acre.
In addition, Archimandrite Silwanos Hannouna of Jordan was transferred and appointed to the Metropolitan Church of St. George in Acre, an aide to Archbishop Theodosios, where he will serve as a deputy president of the Ecclesiastical Court in Acre as well.
The Patriarch and the Fathers wished His Eminence success on his new mission, which he assumes at this monumental period and time when the faithful are faced with many challenges. The official date of handing over the duties of the Acre Archdiocese to His Eminence Theodosios is yet to be announced, which will include a festive liturgy service presided over by the Patriarch of Jerusalem with the participation of Metropolitans, Archbishops, and clergymen at the Metropolitan Church of St. George in Acre.
Furthermore, the Holy Synod took the following decisions:
- Transfer Archimandrite Artemios from Haifa to appoint him to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and as an assistant to Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, and Vice President of the Ecclesiastical Court in Nazareth.
- Giving approval to Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakopolis, Archbishop of Jordan, to ordain the monks Chrysanthos Sanubar and Khalil Fawadila as deacons.
- Transfer and appoint Father Isaiah Haddad from Jordan to be an alternate priest in the Church of the Transfiguration Monastery in the city of Ramallah.
- Transfer and appoint Father Luke Bousha from Jordan to be an alternate priest in the Church of St. George in Zababdeh.
Concluding the Synod, the Patriarch of Jerusalem along with the participating fathers raised their prayers for the peace of the world and to our beloved Holy Land, beseeching our compassionate God to send His Holy Spirit and peace to the world, to protect children of the Jerusalem Church from all adversity and harm through the intercessions of the Most Holy Mother of God, by the grace of the Life-giving Holy Tomb.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
