| A Short Biography on His Holiness Patriarch Theofilos |
Theofilos, The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Palestine, Syria, beyond Jordan
River, Cana of Galilee & Holy Zion
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem (born Ηλίας Γιαννόπουλος
(Ilias Giannopoulos) in 1952 is the current patriarch of the Orthodox Church of
Jerusalem.
Theophilus (also spelled Theofilos and Theophilos) was elected the 141st
primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem on August 22, 2005. Formerly
the Archbishop of Tabor, Theophilus was elected unanimously by Jerusalem's
Holy Synod to succeed Patriarch Irenaios I.
River, Cana of Galilee & Holy Zion
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem (born Ηλίας Γιαννόπουλος
(Ilias Giannopoulos) in 1952 is the current patriarch of the Orthodox Church of
Jerusalem.
Theophilus (also spelled Theofilos and Theophilos) was elected the 141st
primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem on August 22, 2005. Formerly
the Archbishop of Tabor, Theophilus was elected unanimously by Jerusalem's
Holy Synod to succeed Patriarch Irenaios I.
He is styled "Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, beyond the Jordan River,
Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion."
Theophilos is originally from Messinia, Greece. In 1964, he went to Jerusalem, and served as archdeacon
for then-patriarch Benediktos (Benedict I). From 1991 to 1996, he was a priest in Cana in Galilee, which
had a predominantly Israeli Arab flock, there he also formed a society called "Nour al Masih" ("Light of
Christ"), which spreads the Orthodox Christian faith throughout the region.
Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion."
Theophilos is originally from Messinia, Greece. In 1964, he went to Jerusalem, and served as archdeacon
for then-patriarch Benediktos (Benedict I). From 1991 to 1996, he was a priest in Cana in Galilee, which
had a predominantly Israeli Arab flock, there he also formed a society called "Nour al Masih" ("Light of
Christ"), which spreads the Orthodox Christian faith throughout the region.
In 1996, he was one of the first Christian clergymen in centuries to make an
opening into the closed Wahhabi Islamic society of Qatar, an area
historically under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem
where many Palestinian migrant workers live today, a considerable number
of them Orthodox Christians. He subsequently served as Exarch of the Holy
Sepulchre in Qatar. From 2000 to 2003, he was church envoy to the
Patriarchate of Moscow.
opening into the closed Wahhabi Islamic society of Qatar, an area
historically under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem
where many Palestinian migrant workers live today, a considerable number
of them Orthodox Christians. He subsequently served as Exarch of the Holy
Sepulchre in Qatar. From 2000 to 2003, he was church envoy to the
Patriarchate of Moscow.
Before becoming patriarch, Theophilus served for a short time as the Archbishop of Tabor, consecrated
to the episcopacy by Irenaios in February of 2005.
Theophilus studied theology at the University of Athens and went on to complete a master's degree in
London. Besides his native Greek, he also speaks English and Arabic.
to the episcopacy by Irenaios in February of 2005.
Theophilus studied theology at the University of Athens and went on to complete a master's degree in
London. Besides his native Greek, he also speaks English and Arabic.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III was officially enthroned as
Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine on November 22, 2005.
Delegates from all of the Orthodox Churches as well as high secular
dignitaries were in attendance, including the President of Greece
as well as diplomats and military officials.
Other Patriarchs of Jerusalem bearing the same name are Theofilos
I, Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1012 to 1020, and Theofilos II,
Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1417 to 1424.
Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine on November 22, 2005.
Delegates from all of the Orthodox Churches as well as high secular
dignitaries were in attendance, including the President of Greece
as well as diplomats and military officials.
Other Patriarchs of Jerusalem bearing the same name are Theofilos
I, Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1012 to 1020, and Theofilos II,
Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1417 to 1424.
