Joseph Arnaouti
| Most Reverend Joseph Arnaouti ICPB | |
|---|---|
| Patriarchal Exarch Emeritus of Damascus | |
| Native name | Յովսէփ Արնաութեան |
| Church | Armenian Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Damascus |
| Province | Cilicia |
| Installed | 24 May 1997 |
| Term ended | December 2023 |
| Predecessor | Kevork Tayroyan |
| Successor | Kévork Assadourian |
| Other posts | Bishop of Qamishli (1989–1992), Auxiliary Bishop of San Gregorio de Narek en Buenos Aires (1994–1997), Curial Bishop of Cilicia (1997–1999) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 5 April 1969 |
| Consecration | 18 March 1990 by Hovhannes Bedros XVIII Kasparian, André Bedoglouyan, Krikor Ayvazian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Arnaouti 2 May 1936 Aleppo, First Syrian Republic |
Joseph Arnaouti, ICPB (Armenian: Յովսէփ Արնաութեան; born 2 May 1936) is a Syrian Armenian Catholic hierarch. He served as the Patriarchal Exarch of Damascus since 1997 until 2023.
Biography
Joseph Arnaouti was born in Aleppo, Syria, on 2 May 1936. He joined the Patriarchal Congregation of Bzommar and was ordained to the priesthood on 5 April 1969.[1]
On 21 August 1989, he was appointed Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Qamishli. He was consecrated on 18 March 1990 by Patriarch Hovhannes Bedros XVIII Kasparian, with Bishops André Bedoglouyan and Krikor Ayvazian serving as co-consecrators, but he resigned on 10 April 1992. Later he served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of San Gregorio de Narek en Buenos Aires in Argentina from 24 May 1994 until 1997 and as a Curial Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia from 1997 until 1999.[1]
Simultaneously, on 24 May 1997, he was appointed the Patriarchal Exarch of Damascus for the Armenian Catholics, and served in this position until December 2023.[1]
Ministry and Views
Arnaouti has been an active participant in regional synods and ecumenical efforts. During the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops in 2010, he emphasized the importance of the Christian presence in the region and addressed the specific pastoral needs of the Armenian diaspora.[2][3]
During the Syrian civil war, he remained in the capital, often joining other Christian leaders in Damascus to advocate for peace. In 2015, he joined the Patriarchs of Antioch in a joint statement calling for an end to arms trafficking to stop the conflict in Syria.[4] He also maintains close ties with other Eastern Christian prelates, including the Syriac Orthodox Church, participating in inter-church hospitality and diplomatic meetings in Damascus.[5]
In September 2021, following the death of Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Ghabroyan, Arnaouti participated in the Elective Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church convened by Pope Francis at the Pontifical Armenian College in Rome. He was part of the body of bishops that elected Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian as the new Patriarch of Cilicia.[6]
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Back to citation occurrence 1.2 Cheney, David M. "Bishop Joseph Arnaouti, I.C.P.B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- Back to citation "Intervention of Mons. Joseph Arnaouti, Patriarchal Exarch of Damascus". Vatican Radio. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- Back to citation "Bulletin of the Special Assembly for the Middle East". Holy See Press Office. October 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- Back to citation "ASIA/LEBANON - The Patriarchs of Antioch: in order to stop the conflict, arms trafficking must be stopped". Agenzia Fides. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- Back to citation "Damascus: Syriac Orthodox Patriarch hosts Damascene bishops". SyriacPress. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- Back to citation "Հայ Կաթողիկէ Եպիսկոպոսները Հռոմի մէջ կ՛ընտրեն Տանն Կիլիկիոյ Կաթողիկէ Հայոց 21 րդ Պատրիարքը։". Vatican News (in Armenian). 22 September 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
External links
- Bishop Joseph Arnaouti at Catholic-Hierarchy.org