His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie
Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie is the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
In July 2017, following the repose of His Eminence, Metropolitan Paul Saliba, of Thrice-Blessed Memory, he was appointed as Patriarchal Vicar, serving until his election in October as Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
He was consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy on the 19th November, 2017 at the Lady of Balamand Cathedral, Lebanon. He was enthroned as Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines on the 16th December, 2017 at the Cathedral of St. George in Redfern, Sydney, during the visit from our Patriarch John X, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East.
Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie first arrived in Australia in April 2010, where he served as hierarchical assistant to His Eminence, the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba of Thrice-Blessed Memory and also as parish priest of St. Mary’s Mt. Pritchard Parish, Sydney from 2012 – 2017 at which time he was appointed Patriarchal Vicar.
Please visit our Archdiocese website for the full Biography on Metropolitan Basilios [SOURCE 1]
Parish Priest – Rev Fr Michal Zghaib
Father Michal was born in Beirut , Lebanon on 7 March 1961 and completed primary and secondary schooling at the Three Moons College in Beirut . He migrated to Syria during Lebanon ‘s civil war.
In 1981 he attained Bacaloria studies in Damascus, Syria. He entered Damascus University to study French Literature and in 1995 commenced theological studies at Saint George Monastery in Homayra Homs , Syria . On 15 September 1996 Fr Michal was ordained Deacon and served in the Antiochian Patriarchate in Damascus for twelve months, graduating from St. George Monastery of Theology College in 1997.
On 5 August 1997, Fr Michal was ordained priest and served the Antochian Patriarchate in Damascus for a further twelve months. He was later appointed Parish Priest of Saint Elias the Zealot Church in Damascus , Syria . On 24 September 2000, he migrated with his family to Australia where he was appointed Parish Priest of Saint Elias Church in Wollongong . Fr Michal is married to Khourie Louris and they have four children: Fr Issac, Christeen, David and Nectarios.
Fr Michal joined the parish of Saints Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church in May 2010. We are blessed to have Fr MIchal guide parishioners to worship and grow in our spiritual understanding of the Orthodox faith. We pray our Lord continues to bless Fr Michal and his family for their hard work, love and spiritual guidance.
Metropolitan Paul Saliba
Thrice Blessed Memory
Metropolitan Paul Saliaba of Thrice-Blessed Memory fell asleep in the Lord on 1st July 2017. He is succeeded by Metropolitan Basilios (Kodseie).
In October 1999, following the repose of Bishop Gibran (Ramlawey) of Thrice-Blessed Memory, he was elected and ordained as Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Phillipines. His Eminence arrived to Sydney, Australia, on the 1st of December 1999, where he worked diligently for 18 years until his repose, establishing new Churches and Missions in Australia and New Zealand and the Phillipines; organising the administration of the Churches – Choirs, Youth Groups, Sunday School, Ladies Society, Bible Studies, and Theological Studies. May is his memory be eternal+
