HIS BEATITUDE YOUSSEF ABSI Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

HIS BEATITUDE YOUSSEF ABSI Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East HIS BEATITUDE YOUSSEF ABSI Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Place and date of birth: Damascus, June 20, 1946 Religious background 1957: Entry to the Minor Seminary of the Paulist Fathers - Harissa (Lebanon) 1966-1967: Novitiate under the direction of the White Fathers - Gap (France) 1973: Presbyteral Ordination - Damascus (May 6) 2001: Episcopal Ordination (September 2nd) 2001-2003: Patriarchal Auxiliary - Raboueh (Lebanon) 2003-2017: Patriarchal Vicar - Damascus 2017: Patriarchal Election (June 21) Academic background 1967-1973: BA in Philosophy from the Lebanese University BA in Theology from the Saint-Paul Institute 1988: PhD in Musicology Thesis subject: The Greek hymnography and its Syriac and Arabic versions: The relationship Text-Music Functions 1973-1976: Vice-Superior of the Major Seminary and Professor of Philosophy 1976-1979: Director of the Paulist publishing house 1980-1991: Teacher of Musicology and Ancient Greek at Saint-Esprit University - Kaslik 1979-1990: Editor-in-chief of the Paulist Fathers’s review Al-Maçarrat 1999-2001: Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of Saint Paul Languages Modern Languages: Arabic - French - English - Italian - German Ancient Languages: Greek - Syriac - Latin Publications In addition to his thesis dissertation published in 1990, His Beatitude is the author of several books and articles published by the Paulist Fathers and in Al-Maçarrat on patrology, the sacraments, Lent, Christian spirituality and liturgical reform. At the liturgical level, His Beatitude is the author of several offices in honor of St. Charbel and other Middle-Eastern Saints. L'hymnographie grecque et ses versions syriaque et arabe, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 1990 (en français). L’histoire de la pensée chrétienne chez les Pères de l’Église, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2001. Et ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2005. La prière dans le christianisme, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2008. Quand vint la plénitude du temps, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2005. Le jeûne : significations et buts, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2007. Le combat spirituel, Imprimerie Pauliste, Jounieh, 2010. « Le péché entre la psychologie et la doctrine chrétienne », Al-Maçarrat 57, 1971, p. 820-284. « Les petites sœurs de Nazareth : un témoignage de vie », Al-Maçarrat 58, 1972, p. 373-376. « Les origines du saint baptême », Al-Maçarrat 58, 1972, p. 387-392. « Les dimensions pastorales du baptême », Al-Maçarrat 59, 1973, p.112-118. « Le saint baptême : rites, sens, et symboles », Al-Maçarrat 58, 1972, p. 480-485 ; 642-647 ; 749-754. « Réflexions sur la tradition orientale », Al-Maçarrat 56, 1970, p. 427-433. « La Nativité de l’espérance », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, p. 513-517. « La grande libération », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, p. 385-388. « La seule chose », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, p. 257-259. « Qui est mon prochain », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, p. 164-169. « L’amour dans le mariage et le mariage dans l’amour », Al-Maçarrat 54, 1968, p. 345-348. « Pourquoi la sécheresse dans la foi d’un grand nombre de chrétiens ? », Al-Maçarrat 56, 1970, p. 777-780. « Un pape démissionne ! », Al-Maçarrat 62, 1976, p. 22-25. « Le souvenir de Noël », Al-Maçarrat 65, 1979, p. 817-820 ; 66, 1980, 5-7. « Les siècles d’or », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, 17-23. « S’il n’aurait pas été ressuscité », Al-Maçarrat 66, 1980, 129-132. Zdôvodnenie : Navrhovaný kandidát je uznávanou osobnosťou, ktorá zastáva nielen vysoký cirkevný úrad jednej z najstarobylejších kresťanských cirkví, ale je aj osobnosťou venujúcou sa vedeckej a publikačnej činnosti zameranej na spiritualitu východných cirkvi, ktorej najzákladnejšie výstupy podávam v predloženom materiály. Ako dekan Gréckokatolíckej teologickej fakulty, chcem zdôrazniť tú skutočnosť, že fakulta je pevnou súčasťou Prešovskej univerzity v Prešove, ale zároveň je aj zaradená medzi cirkevné fakulty spadajúce pod Kongregáciu pre katolícku výchovu vo Vatikane. Je to výraz veľkého ocenenia práce a dosiahnutých výsledkov Gréckokatolíckej teologickej fakulty, ktorá týmto spôsobom získala veľkú medzinárodnú akceptáciu nielen v striktne chápanom cirkevnom, ale aj vo všeobecnom akademickom priestore. Nominácia gréckokatolíckeho melchitského patriarchu Antiochie a celého Východu na udelenie Zlatej medaily PU v Prešove je podávaná v kontexte prehĺbenia medzinárodnej akceptácie a ďalšej medzinárodnej spolupráce Prešovkej univerzity v Prešove a jednej z jej fakúlt Gréckokatolíckej teologickej fakulty, ktorá má plodnú spoluprácu s Kongregáciou pre východné katolícke cirkvi, kde patrí aj navrhovaný kandidát svojím úradom a jej vedecko – pedagogickou inštitúciou pod názvom Pontificio Instituto Orientale, ktorej absolventmi sú mnohí študenti fakulty, ktorí v súčasnosti zastávajú vysoké cirkevné a akademické posty. Mons. prof. ThDr. Peter Šturák, PhD. Dekan Gréckokatolíckej teologickej fakulty PU v Prešove .
Recommended publications
  • OLJ Brochure Copy
    of About the Order The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is an international Christian chivalric Order. It is non-political, ecumenical and non-denominational, its membership is by invitation and is open to men and women who are practising members of the Christian faith in good standing within their particular denomination. Its international membership consists of Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Orthodox and other Christian denominations. Its members are committed to seeking to live their lives with charity in a manner that embodies the Christian spirit. The Order is dedicated to the care and assistance of the poor and the defence of the Christian faith and the principles of Christian chivalry. The Order has been in continual existence since the year 1098 and was established in Australia in 1979. The Grand Priory of Australia comprises seven Commanderies centred on the various capital cities. Membership is confined to a Commandery. Commandery activities include meetings, special religious services and fundraising events. Once a year a National Chapter- effectively a general meeting of the Grand Priory – is held in a capital city over four days and to which all members are invited. A highlight of the National Chapter weekend is the Investiture of new members and the advancement in rank or award of others. Benefits of Membership According to our Christian beliefs, charity is held to be the ultimate expression of the human spirit, bringing us closer to the true essence of God. The activities of the Order attempt to bring its members towards this state of grace through application of charitable giving and hands-on charitable activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Budapest Report on Chris Ian Persecution 2018
    “ e Budapest Report, presenting the situation of persecuted Christian communities in the world is published in 2018 for the second time. e Hungarian Government initiated the publication of a summary report in 2017 with the aim of familiarizing the Hungarian general and scienti c community with the traditions, life and prospects of speci c Christian communities in a credible manner every year. e report was also published in English last year making it accessible for the international community as well. […] e publication does not simply provide comprehensive information on persecuted Christians, but it also aims at promoting solidarity and assistance to persecuted communities.” Budapest Report on Cardinal Péter Erdő the Primate of Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom–Budapest Chris ian Persecution “ e foundations of our program are common sense and social 2018 solidarity […] In the near future, our intent is to make more people realize: the transformation of the faulty Western aspect and the stability of the crisis regions may bring about change in the protection of the persecuted Christians and all communities living in the a ected countries. Our cause, in which we can also count on the help of the Visegrád countries, is a noble one. […] I wish that reports on persecuted Christians would become redundant as soon as possible, in which respect we have a lot to do together. I trust that this book will make benevolent people act, so that the peace we have promised may come true.” Zsolt Semjén 2018 ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION REPORT BUDAPEST Deputy
    [Show full text]
  • August 2018 Issue Of
    Eastern Catholic Life Official Publication of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic VOL. LIV, NO. 8 AUGUST 2018 Passaic,New NJ Iconography at Saint Michael Cathedral Saints Joachim and Anna, flanked by Saint Irene and Saint Michael the Archangel Saints Zachary and Elizabeth, with their son, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Nicholas ith characteristic good saintly role models for married couples Mystical Supper to its proper place above Jesus Christ and His Church. These rows nature, the parishioners and young people; to include the Old the Royal Doors, a very meaningful series of Apostles and Prophets, often included of Saint Michael Cathe- Testament prophets; to celebrate spe- is created, linking the domestic table of ev- on a full, traditional iconostasis, remind us dralW in Passaic, NJ, put up with scaffold- cifically Ruthenian Greek Catholic saints; ery Christian home, the liturgical Table of of Saint Paul’s teaching that Christ’s Church ing for much of the summer of 2017 and and to improve upon a few details in the the Eucharist, and the table of the heavenly is built upon the foundation of the Apostles again in the spring of 2018. On Pentecost previous design. banquet where the Father, the Son, and the and Prophets (Ephesians 2:20). Sunday 2018, they were finally able to Holy Spirit keep open a space for us. contemplate twenty-nine new holy icons in On the iconostasis, new icons depict Above the Prophets, four circular the 116-year-old landmark. Saints Joachim and Anna, parents of the Eighteen images of Old Testament images
    [Show full text]
  • OVERVIEW August 2019
    MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW August 2019 MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW | August 2019 Contents 1. BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................... 2 2. THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION......................................................................................................... 3 Egypt ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Jordan .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Iraq ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 Lebanon ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Palestine ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Syria ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Cyprus .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 3. THE REFUGEE SITUATION (Updated) .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq 2018 International Religious Freedom Report
    IRAQ 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution establishes Islam as the official religion and states no law may be enacted contradicting the “established provisions of Islam.” The constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief and practice for Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, and Sabean-Mandeans, but not for followers of other religions or atheists. The law prohibits the practice of the Baha’i Faith and the Wahhabi branch of Sunni Islam. The constitution also provides for freedom from religious coercion and requires the government to maintain the sanctity of religious sites. Institutional and societal restrictions on freedom of religion as well as violence against minority groups remained widespread, according to religious leaders and representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGO) focused on religious freedom. NGO leaders said the government continued to use the antiterrorism law as a pretext for detaining individuals without due process. Community leaders continued to state forced conversion was the de facto outcome of the national identity card law mandating children with only one Muslim parent, even children born as a result of rape, be listed as Muslim. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) security forces closed some roads between the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and areas subject to territorial disputes between the KRG and the country’s central government for much of the year, impeding the movement of Yezidis between Dohuk Province and the Sinjar area. Most roads were reopened by year’s end. Yezidis, Christian leaders, and NGOs reported harassment and abuses by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state-sponsored organization composed of more than 40 mostly Shia militias, which also includes Sunni and other minority units originally formed to combat ISIS.
    [Show full text]
  • 5 September, Sunday OPENING CEREMONY and HOLY MASS with FIRST COMMUNION (Heroes' Square) Main Celebrant: Card
    5 September, Sunday OPENING CEREMONY AND HOLY MASS WITH FIRST COMMUNION (Heroes' square) Main Celebrant: Card. Angelo Bagnasco Check in 12:30 Introductory program 13:30 Opening ceremony 15:00 Holy Mass 16:00 6 September, Monday HUNGEXPO Arriving at Hungexpo 7:00 Morning prayer 8:45 Main Celebrant: Bishop András Veres (Lauds) Catechesis 9:30 Card. Joao Tempesta Testimony 10:30 Fr. Konstantin Szabó Break 11:00 Holy Mass 11:30 Main Celebrant: Archbishop Piero Marini Lunch break 12:30 Fr. Csaba Böjte OFM: Hope: Christ's faith - our faith; a presentation of pastoral work among children 14:30 – Bishop J.-M. Ndi-Okalla: Eucharist: the source of goodness Workshops 15:30 Mary Healy: Love says - go: Eucharist and Christian Life Damian Stayne: Intimacy with God through the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Name of Jesus 6 September, Saint Stephen's Basilica, 18:00 – Mission in Africa Conversation with Réka Fodor, András Csókay and Archbishop Valerian Okeke. SAINT EPHRAIM MALE CHOIR Concert 19:00 Pesti Vigadó CSÍK BAND Concert 19:30 Erkel Theatre 7 September, Tuesday HUNGEXPO Arriving at Hungexpo 7:00 Morning prayer Main Celebrant: Archbishop Csaba Ternyák 8:45 (Lauds) Catechesis 9:30 Card. Gérald Lacroix Testimony 10:30 Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako Break 11:00 Holy Mass 11:30 Main Celebrant: Archbishop Jose S. Palma Lunch break 12:30 Jean-Luc Moens: Eucharist and Holy Spirit Barbara Heil: How to win a Catholic? How a Protestant preacher and missionary came into the Church 14:30 – Workshops Kálmán Dabóczi: Together. For you. - Network of Hungarian Catholic 15:30 Movements in the Service of Families Johannes Hartl: Fascination of Beauty.
    [Show full text]
  • “Ecclesiastica Communio” to the New Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, His Beatitude Youssef Absi
    N. 170622f Thursday 22.06.2017 Concession of the “Ecclesiastica Communio” to the new Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, His Beatitude Youssef Absi The Holy Father has granted the “Ecclesiastica Communio” in accordance with canon 76 § 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches to His Beatitude Youssef Absi, canonically elected as Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites on 21 June 2017 by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church. The following is the text that Pope Francis sent to the new Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites for the concession of the “Ecclesiastica Communio”: Message of the Holy Father To His Beatitude YOUSSEF Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites It is with great joy that I received the letter in which you informed me of your election as Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites by the Synod of Bishops, requesting the Ecclesiastica Communio. I wish to congratulate you and assure you from now on of my prayer that Christ, Good Shepherd, will support you in the fulfilment of the mission entrusted to you and for the service required of you. The election of Your Beatitude comes at the time of a delicate situation for the venerable Greco-Melkite Church and when many Christian communities in the Middle East are called to bear witness in a special way to their faith in the dead and risen Christ. In this particularly difficult time, Pastors are called upon to manifest communion, unity, closeness, solidarity and transparency before the suffering people of God. I am certain that your Beatitude, in fraternal harmony with all the Synod Fathers, will know, in all evangelical 2 wisdom, how to be not only “Pater et Caput” in the service of the faithful of the Greco-Melkite Church, but also a faithful and authentic witness to the Risen One.
    [Show full text]
  • OVERVIEW | February 2020
    Middle East Overview – February 2020 The hidden humanitarian catastroph Syrian Forced Migrants in the Idlib Governorate, Feb 28, 2020, photo credit: Middle East Institute MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW | February 2020 Contents 1. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 2 2. THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION .................................................................................................... 3 Egypt ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Jordan .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Iraq ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Lebanon ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Palestine ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Syria ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Cyprus ...................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Press Conference to Present the Day of Reflection and Prayer for Lebanon
    N. 210625e Friday 25.06.2021 Press Conference to present the Day of Reflection and Prayer for Lebanon At 10.30 this morning, a press conference to present the Day of Reflection and Prayer for Lebanon, which will be held in the Vatican on 1 July with the participation of the main leaders of the Christian communities in the country, took place via live streaming from the Holy See Press Office. The speakers were His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches; Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States; and Bishop Brian Farrell, L.C., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The following are their interventions: Intervention by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri The Holy Father Francisìs acceptance of the proposal to convene a day of reflection and prayer on Lebanon is part of a process of attention to the Land of the Cedars that comes from afar. At the beginning of his Apostolic Exhortation “A New Hope for Lebanon”, Saint John Paul II wrote: "When I convened a Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops on 12 June 1991, the situation in the country was dramatic. Lebanon had been profoundly shaken in all its parts. I invited the Catholics present in that land to undertake a journey of prayer, penance and conversion, which would enable them to question themselves before the Lord about their fidelity to the Gospel and their effective commitment to following Christ. It was necessary for the Pastors and the faithful, through a clear awareness made in faith, to discern and better define the spiritual, pastoral and apostolic priorities to be promoted in the current context of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Theway180225eng
    Official Publication of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia VOL. 79 - No. 04 FEBRUARY 25, 2018 ENGLISH VERSION Lenten Vespers Sung on the First Sunday of the Great Fast at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia On Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 3 p.m. Lenten Vespers were sung at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia, PA. Father Roman Pitula, rector of the Cathedral, was the main celebrant. Father Ivan Demkiv and many clergy helped lead the responses to the service. Father Ihor Kolisnyk, C.Ss.R. was the preacher in both English and Ukrainian languages. Procession of the Holy Icons - First Sunday of Great Fast: The Sunday of Orthodoxy During his sermon, Fr. the gift of the Holy Spirit whistle and said we are Kolisnyk talked about and it gives us a melody not just making noise; the second account of that we produce. we are making beautiful the creation where we music because God is have God as a potter. Fr. Kolisnyk had an a great creator. God God takes clay in order “ocarina” which is a breathed into us with His to create a human being small round clay whistle great mercy. The Holy and He breathes into it to with many holes in it to Spirit is not just breathed Father Ihor Kolisnyk, make a beautiful sound. make many notes. Fr. C.Ss.R. What God breathes in is Kolisnyk blew into the (continued on next page) Lenten Vespers Sung on the First Sunday of the Great Fast at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia (continued from previous page) in the moment we were created, but the Holy Spirit comes to us every time we open the Holy Scripture, pray, and every time we receive Holy Communion.
    [Show full text]
  • November 13, 2019 His Eminence Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai
    November 13, 2019 His Eminence Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai His Eminence Louis Raphael Cardinal Sako Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites and Patriarch of Babylonia of the Chaldeans All the East His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan His Beatitude Gregory Petros XX Ghabroyan Primate and Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholic Church Church His Beatitude Youssef Absi Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites [transmitted via email] Your Beatitudes: Please receive our respectful greetings in Christ the Lord. The Catholic bishops of the United States and the Knights of Columbus stand in prayerful solidarity with you and your people at this difficult time. Today, in Lebanon and Iraq, we are witnessing critical moments as protests grow against corruption and foreign interference. We pray that the effect of these protests will be a more just society for all the citizens of these two countries. We urge the Iraqi and Lebanese governments to engage in a meaningful dialogue with those demonstrating, and we stand with you in urging governments to remember that they exist to serve the common good of their people. We join Pope Francis in calling on the Iraqi government to “listen to the cry of the people who are asking for a dignified and peaceful life,” especially in light of the attacks on protesters that have killed hundreds in recent weeks. With regard to Lebanon, we once again echo the Holy Father who said a resolution to the crisis there would be “for the benefit of the entire Middle East Region, which suffers so much.” The recent protests in Lebanon have generally not been met with violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Lebanon Struggling: the Land of Cedars Between Religious Legacy and Modern Ambitions
    Department of Political Science Master’s Degree in International Relations Chair in Islam: Culture and Politics Lebanon struggling: the land of cedars between religious legacy and modern ambitions SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE Prof. Francesca Maria Corrao Alessandro Masiello 633832 CO-SUPERVISOR Prof. Giuseppe De Arcangelis Academic year 2018/2019 A tutte le persone che credono in me: siete la mia forza più grande “Voi avete il vostro Libano, con i conflitti che lo accompagnano. Io ho il mio Libano con i sogni che ci vivono. Il mio Libano è un solo uomo, la testa appoggiata sul braccio, che si rilassa all'ombra del cedro, dimentico di tutto, tranne che di Dio e della luce del sole.” - Khalil Gibran Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 7 LEBANON AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ..... 10 1.1 RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE LAND OF CEDARS ......................................................... 10 Table 1: EEC in Lebanon ..................................................................................................... 11 Table 2: Religious communities in Lebanon ....................................................................... 13 1.2 FROM THE EMIRATE TO THE INDEPENDENCE: THE SIX TRANSFORMATIONS ........................ 13 Table 3: Composition of Lebanese population in the region of Mount Lebanon (mutasarrifiyya period, 1911) and in Greater Lebanon (1932) ........................................... 17 1.3 INDEPENDENT
    [Show full text]