Youhanna Yazigi, who took the name
of Youhanna X, is the new patriarch of the Greek-Orthodox Church of Antioch and
the entire East.
The youthful 57-year-old was elected yesterday at Balamand Monastery,
near Tripoli, Lebanon.
He succeeds Ignatius V Hazim, who passed away two weeks
ago at the age of 92.
In his first statement at a press conference, he
reiterated the right of Christians to remain in the Middle East. He equally
stressed the importance of dialogue with other Churches and with Muslims. "Christians
are staying," he said. "This is their land."
"We believe in dialogue. Relations with other Christian
Churches for us are important. We are also open to our Muslim brothers," he
said. "We are one family and our fate is shared."
Born in Latakia, Syria, and brother of Boulos, archbishop
of Aleppo, the new patriarch was metropolitan of Western and Central Europe.
In 1983, he graduated from the theological faculty of
the University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. In that same year, he graduated in
music studies and was ordained into the priesthood.
He later taught theology at Balamand University and
served as the bishop of Wade el-Nasser, where he founded a religious order and
a seminary.
A keen observer of ecumenical issues, he took part in
various congresses around the world.
Eighteen of the 20 who could vote took part in the
ballot, with12 or two thirds choosing Youhanna.
"This service is my cross," he said. "I ask you for
your prayers and brotherly love so that the Church of Antioch can be a worthy
image of the Bride of Christ."
"I ask for your prayers to be faithful to the ministry
that was given me. Let us be part of this land, this ground. It is part of our
being."