Ignatius Peter VIII Abdalahad

Who is Ignatius Peter VIII Abdalahad?

Ignatius Peter VIII Abdalahad is Patriarch Emeritus of Antioch and all the East of the Syrians of the Syriac Catholic Church. They are one of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches following the Antiochene rite, the Syriac tradition of Antioch, along with the Maronites and Syro-Malankara Christians.

He was ordained priest on October 17, 1954 and consecrated bishop on June 21, 1997 by Patriarch Ignatius Antony II Hayyek, and served as auxiliary bishop of Antioch till his appointment as Primate and Patriarch on February 16, 2001. His resignation has been accepted on February 2, 2008. He lives in Beirut.

Ignatius Joseph III Yonan was elected as Primate and Patriarch on January 20, 2009 and his election confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI on January 22, 2009.