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Gregory III LahamSyrian Melkite Greek Catholic Bishop
Date of Birth: 15.12.1933
Country:  Syria |
Content:
- Biography of Patriarch Gregorios III Laham
- Episcopal Career
- 1991-1996:Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem of the Greek Melkites
- Patriarchate
- Issuing new editions of the Melkite Divine Liturgy and prayer books
- Serving as President of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of Syria
- Retirement and Succession
Biography of Patriarch Gregorios III Laham
Early Life and EducationGregorios III Laham was born on December 15, 1933, in Damascus, Syria. In 1943, he entered the seminary of the Basilian Salvatorian Order (B.S.) in Saida, Lebanon. Five years later, he took temporary vows, and in 1954, he made his perpetual monastic profession in the order.
He continued his education in Rome, where he was ordained a priest in the Basilian Abbey of Grottaferrata in 1959. He then obtained a doctorate in Eastern Theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute.
Episcopal Career
1974:Appointed Vicar of the Patriarchal Vicariate of Jerusalem1981 (November 27):Consecrated as Bishop
1981-1991:Titular Archbishop of Tarsus of the Greek Melkites and Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem
1991-1996:Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem of the Greek Melkites
2000 (November 29):Elected Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Patriarchate
As Patriarch, Gregorios III presided over the Melkite Catholic Church from 2000 to 2017. He was instrumental in:
Issuing new editions of the Melkite Divine Liturgy and prayer books
Promoting ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
Serving as President of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of Syria
Acting as Grand Master of the Patriarchal Order of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem
Being a Patron of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
Retirement and Succession
On May 6, 2017, Pope Francis accepted Patriarch Gregorios III's resignation. Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo was appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the Patriarchal Throne.
