Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

LL Patriarch of Antioch and All The East & Universal Syriac Orthodox Church

H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Antioch departs in the Lord

With hope in the Resurrection, we learned today of the departure of the 122nd Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. His Holiness was a true shepherd and pastor, known for his humility, dignity and love. He was a longtime contemporary, friend and brother to H.H. Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory. Illness did not keep him away from the funeral of Pope Shenouda in March 2012, nor from the enthronement of H.H. Pope Tawadros II in November 2012.

Born in Mosul, Iraq on April 21, 1933, he entered the consecrated life of ministry at a young age, advancing through dedicated theological studies and service to become the secretary to two of his predecessors, Patriarchs Afram Barsoum and Yacoub III. He completed advanced theological studies in the United States. He was an official observer of his church to the Second Vatican Council in Rome and involved in ecumenical work for decades, later serving as a president of the World Council of Churches and active in the work of the Middle East Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches.

He was ordained bishop of his hometown, Mosul, in November 1963 and September 14, 1980, was enthroned Patriarch of Antioch. In 2013, he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Episcopal Consecration. At the time of his departure, on March 21, 2014 due to health complications, he was 80 years old and served the church as Patriarch for 34 years.