Bishop JOSEPH

Born: Damascus, Syria, November 2, 1950, to Georgi and Mathil (Baghdan) Al-Zehlaoui.

Educated:

  • St. John of Damascus and al-Assiyeh Schools, Damascus, Syria
  • Our Lady of Balamand Monastery, Koura, Lebanon
  • Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon (Philosophy)
  • University of Salonika, Thessalonike, Greece (Languages and Music)

Ordained:

  • Deacon, November 1976
  • Priest, 1980 in Damascus, by Patriarch Ignatius IV
  • Bishop, June 30, 1991

Ministry:

  • Dean, St. Mary Cathedral, Damascus, Syria; Overseer, Holy Cross Church, and other parishes in suburbs of Damascus (1980-91)
  • Pastor, Antiochian Orthodox Church, London, England (1983-86)
  • Pastor, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cyprus (1986)
  • Bishop of Katana (Syria); Patriarchal Assistant; Secretary of the Holy Synod of Antioch (1991-95)
  • Auxiliary Bishop, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (Jan. 24, 1995- 2004); assigned by Metropolitan Philip to West Coast Chancery.
  • Diocesan Bishop of Los Angeles and the West (2004- present): assigned by Metropolitan PHILIP to the West Coast Chancery.
  • Administers the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwast (2004-present).