Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem


Theophilos III

Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine
Theophilos III in 2023
ChurchGreek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem
SeeJerusalem
InstalledNovember 22, 2005
PredecessorIrenaios
Personal details
Born
Ilias Giannopoulos

(1952-04-04) 4 April 1952
ResidenceJerusalem
Alma materUniversity College, Durham
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
University of Athens
Signature

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem (Greek: Πατριάρχης Ιεροσολύμων Θεόφιλος Γ'; Arabic: غبطة بطريرك المدينة المقدسة اورشليم وسائر أعمال فلسطين كيريوس كيريوس ثيوفيلوس الثالث, romanized: Ghabṭat baṭrīark al-madīnat al-muqaddasa Urshālim wa sā'ir A'māl Filasṭīn Kiryūs Kiryūs Thiyūfīlūs al-thālith; born 4 April 1952) is the current Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem since 2005. He is styled Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Syria, Arabia, beyond the Jordan River, Cana of Galilee, and Holy Zion.

Theophilos (also spelled Theofilos or Theophilus) was elected unanimously on 22 August 2005 by the Holy Synod of Jerusalem as the 141st primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem to succeed the deposed Irenaios. His election was confirmed by the Eastern Orthodox synod of Constantinople, and was endorsed by Jordan on 24 September 2005, and subsequently by the Palestinian Authority. He was enthroned on 22 November 2005, despite initial Israeli objections. The Israeli government officially recognized Theophilos' election on 16 December 2007.

Prior to becoming Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos was the Eastern Orthodox Archbishop of Tabor.