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MORAN MOR IGNATIUS APREM II

PATRIARCH

[123rd successor of St.Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch]

On March 21, 2014, Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas died after a long illness. Following his death, the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch was convened to elect a successor. The synod was held at St Jacob Baradeus Monastery in Atchaneh, Lebanon, presided over by Mor Baselios Thomas I Catholicos of India and Mor Severius Jamil Hawa Archbishop of Baghdad and Basra and Patriarchal Locum Tenens. The synod elected Cyril Aphrem Karim to be the 123rd successor of St. Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch. He was enthroned on May 29, 2014, at St Ephrem's Monastery, Maarat Saidnaya, near Damascus, Syria. Baselios Thomas I oversaw the ceremony.

Karim took the patriarchal name Ignatius, replacing his episcopal name Cyril, and, being the second patriarch to bear the monastic name Aphrem (the first being Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum), his name became Ignatius Aphrem II. Unlike his immediate predecessors, but following older convention, Aphrem II chose not to use his family name, Karim, in his official title.

ABOON MOR Baselios Joseph 1

CATHOLICOSE

Mor Gregorios Joseph was born as the youngest of four children to Srambikkal Pallithitta Geevarghese and Saramma in Perumpilly, Mulanthuruthy. He is the grandchild of the cousin of Geevarghese Gregorios of Parumala. Joseph had his primary education at Perumpally Primary School and high school education from Mulanthuruthy High School. At the age of 13 Joseph was ordained deacon by Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) at Mor Ignatius Dayro Manjinikkara on 25 March 1974. Joseph served as the secretary to Perumpally Thirumeni for many years. He did pre-degree and degree studies from Maharajas College, Ernakulam and joined Mor Julius Seminary, Perumpally, for his theological studies. Later on 25 March 1984, Joseph was ordained Kassiso at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy, by Mor Baselios Paulose II, Catholicose. Joseph did his master's degree in philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and higher studies in theology from the US.

Mor Osthatheos Issac

Patriarchal Vicar and Metropolitan of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in U.K.

H.G. Mor Osthatheos Ishaq was born on January 17th 1976 as the son of Mr. C.I. Thomas and Saramma Thomas, Pachilakkattu (Ceetharukuzhiyil) Puthuveli, Kottayam. The St. Stephens Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Koothattukulam in Kandanadu Diocese is the home parish of the Metropolitan. Late Lamented Mor Osthathios Thomas, Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, is his grandfather’s brother.

From a very young age itself he was greatly involved in religious affairs. It was at the age of seven, that he came to Kyomtha Seminary, Thiuvankulam with his grand uncle Mor Osthathios Thomas. He completed primary and secondary school education from Georgian Academy English Medium School, Thiruvankulam and high school from RMHS Vadavucode. Later he attained graduation in Economics from St. Alberts College, Ernakulam and Post-graduation from Kerala University. He also graduated in Library Science from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.