PRELATES
His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Supreme Leader of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church
Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II (born as Saʿid Karim on May 3, 1965) is the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He became the 123rd Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch on May 29, 2014.
Before his election to the patriarchate, he was Archbishop for the Eastern United States of America, and known as Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim in that post. In that role, he established 11 new parishes, introduced a number of new programs for the youth, and worked for inter-church unity.
In 1985, Saʿid Karim took the vows of a monk, and changed his name to Aphrem in honour of the 4th-century Syriac poet-theologian Ephrem the Syrian and former patriarch Aphrem I Barsoum.
He was ordained deacon, and, later that year, was elevated to the sacred priesthood.
From 1988 to 1989, he served as both the secretary to his patriarchal predecessor, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, and as a teacher at St. Ephrem’s Theological Seminary in Damascus, Syria.
H.E. Kuriakose Mor Severios
Archbishop of the Knanaya Archdiocese
His Eminence Kuriakose Mor Severios was ordained Metropolitan for the Knanaya Archdiocese by the Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas on 15th January 2004, and is the fourth Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese after its formation in 1910. The Consecration ceremony of the Metropolitan was at the St.Peter and St.Paul Cathedral in the Monastery of St.Aphrem at Ma’arrat Seydnaya, Damascus, Syria. His Grace assumed the seat following the demise of the Chief Metropolitan of the East, Mor Clemis Abraham, in September 2002 at the culmination of one of the longest reigns in Indian Christendom.
Born into a family of priests on May 21, 1959, Kuriakose Mor Severios (Kuriakose Abraham) is the first among seven children of Edavazhikal Kunjavarachan and Mariamma of Palakudiyil. His Eminence is the second Metropolitan from the famous Edavazhikal family; his predecessor being H.G. Gevargheese Mor Sevarios who is also the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Archdiocese. The well known Church historian E M Philip who was the secretary to Malankara Metropolitan Pulikottil Joseph Mor Dionysius II, also belongs to the Edavazhikal family. A post-graduate in History and English, he gained his degree in theology from Menooth University, Ireland, and PG in the same subject from Pourasthya Vidya Peeth, Vadavathoor, Kottayam.
It was on 4 February 1990, Kuriakose Abraham was ordained Kassisso by the Chief Metropolitan of the East (late) Mor Clemis Abraham, assisted by Metropolitans late Mor Theophilos Thomas (Outside Kerala diocese) and Mor Osthatheos Benyamin Joseph (Simhasana Church).
H.G. Kuriakose Mor Gregorios
His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch Zakka Iwas I ordained V.Rev. C.T.Kurian Ramban as the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Knanaya Archdiocese.
His Grace assumed the name Kuriakose Mor Gregorios.Ordination ceremonies took place on Feb 2, 2007 in Damascus. Knanaya Archbishop Kuriakose Mor Severios along with several other bishops and dignitaries were also in attendance for this landmark ceremony.
H.G. Kuriakose Mor Gregorios is the second Assistant Bishop for the Knanaya Archdiocese.
H.G. Dr. Ayub Mor Silvanos
Mor Silvanos Ayoub, the auxiliary bishop of the Knanaya archdiocese was elevated to high priest-hood along with Mor Ivanios Kuriakose on June 11, 2008 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul’s Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria.
The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Ephraim Church at Ma`rrat Seydnaya, Damascus, Syria. Their Eminences Mor Severios Kuriakose (Archbishop of Knanaya Archdiocese), Mor Gregorios Kuriakose (Metropolitan of Kallissery region of the Knanaya Archdiocese), Mor Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor Theophilos George Saliba (Secretary to the Holy Synod) and Mor Clemis Daniel (Lebanon diocese) assisted His Holiness during this blessed consecration ceremony. The holy ceremony was attended by a large gathering of Rabans (Monks), Priests, Deacons, Nuns and many faithful from India.
He got ordained as a deacon of the diocese. He received his first four orders of ordination on 11th November 1995, fifth order on 27th May 1997 and become a full deacon on 7th June 1999. He was ordained as priest on 6th August 1999 by the venerable Chief Metropolitan of the East and the diocesan Bishop Mor Clemis Abraham. Ever since then he was practicing as parish priest in Kerala. In 2000 he went to Damascus, Syria for his Syriac studies. He spent more than a year in St. Ephrem Theological Seminary, Damascus. Upon conclusion of his studies there, he returned to India and served in a parish there.
He came to Edinburgh University for his Post Graduation. During his scholastic endeavour he planted Knanaya parishes in different parts of United Kingdom. By the grace of God he successfully completed Master of Theology (M.Th) course in 2003. Furthermore, in order to enhance his knowledge and wisdom in Syriac language- (Syriac is a dialect of Aramaic, which Christ himself spoke, and in which the Gospel was first preached) – he joined Oxford University and successfully completed his Master of Syriac Studies in 2005.
H.G. Mor Ivanios Kuriakose
Mor Ivanios Kuriakose, the auxiliary bishop of the Knanaya archdiocese was elevated to high priest-hood along with Mor Silvanos Ayoub on June 11, 2008 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul’s Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria.
Their Eminences Mor Severios Kuriakose (Archbishop of Knanaya Archdiocese), Mor Gregorios Kuriakose (Metropolitan of Kallisseri region of the Knanaya Archdiocese), Mor Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor Theophilos George Saliba ( Secretary to the Holy Synod) and Mor Clemis Daniel (Lebanon diocese) assisted His Holiness at this blessed consecration ceremony.
Mor Ivanios Kuriakose (formerly known as Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath) was born on June 9, 1964 to Kolath K G Abraham and Thankamma. He attained his degree and post graduation from the Kerala and M.G. Universities respectively. Later he joined the Vidiya Jyothi Catholic seminary, New Delhi.