Theophilos III
Orthodox Church of Jerusalem·20th century·Greece·Orthodox Church
Theophilos III is the current Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, holding the title since 2005. He was unanimously elected as the 141st primate and was officially recognized by Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Theophilos has served in various capacities within the Orthodox Church, including as Archbishop of Tabor and Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Qatar.
Key Facts
- ›Current Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem since 2005.
- ›Unanimously elected as the 141st primate on August 22, 2005.
- ›His election was confirmed by the Eastern Orthodox synod of Constantinople and endorsed by Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
- ›Prior to his patriarchate, he served as the Eastern Orthodox Archbishop of Tabor.
- ›He studied theology at the University of Athens and holds an MA from Durham University.
- ›He speaks Greek, English, Arabic, and Hebrew.
- Served As Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre In Qatar.
- Formed the Brotherhood 'Nour Al Masih' To Spread the Orthodox Christian Faith.
- Awarded Us President Donald Trump With the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre On June 4, 2026.
About Theophilos III
Theophilos III of Jerusalem
Theophilos III is the current Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, a significant ecclesiastical leader in the Holy Land. He holds the title "Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, Arabia, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion." His tenure began in 2005, following the deposition of his predecessor, Irenaios.
Election and Enthronement
Elected unanimously on August 22, 2005, by the Holy Synod of Jerusalem, Theophilos III became the 141st primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. His election received confirmation from the Eastern Orthodox synod of Constantinople and was subsequently endorsed by the governments of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Theophilos III was officially enthroned on November 22, 2005, after overcoming initial objections from the Israeli government, which officially recognized his election in December 2007.
Early Life and Service
Born Ilias Giannopoulos on April 4, 1952, in Gargalianoi, Messenia, Greece, he moved to Jerusalem in 1964. He served as archdeacon for Patriarch Benedict I of Jerusalem. From 1991 to 1996, he ministered as a priest in Kafr Kanna in Galilee, where he established the brotherhood "Nour al Masih" ("Light of Christ") to promote the Orthodox Christian faith. He also served as the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Qatar and was a church envoy to the Patriarchate of Moscow from 2000 to 2003. In February 2005, he was consecrated Archbishop of Tabor.
Education and Languages
Theophilos III pursued theological studies at the University of Athens and earned a Master of Arts from Durham University in 1984. His academic pursuits also include studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is multilingual, fluent in his native Greek, as well as English, Arabic, and Hebrew.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Theophilos III become Patriarch of Jerusalem?
Theophilos III was elected Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem on August 22, 2005, and was officially enthroned on November 22, 2005.
What is Theophilos III's birth name and birthplace?
Theophilos III was born Ilias Giannopoulos in Gargalianoi, Messenia, Greece, on April 4, 1952.
What notable actions did Theophilos III take before becoming Patriarch?
Before becoming Patriarch, he served as priest in Kafr Kanna, formed a brotherhood called 'Nour al Masih' to spread the Orthodox Christian faith, and served as Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Qatar.
What are Theophilos III's educational background and language skills?
He studied theology at the University of Athens, earned an MA from Durham University, and also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He speaks Greek, English, Arabic, and Hebrew.
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