Patriarch Theodosius IV Abou Rjeily (1885-1970)

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Patriarch Theodosius VI Abou Rjeily served as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East from 1958 to 1970.

His full name was Najib Spiridon Salim Bechara Saber Elias Atallah Elias Atallah Abou Rjeily.

He had five siblings: two sisters and two brothers. His siblings included Maryam, a nun at the Monastery of Saint Mary in Ashrafieh, Lebanon; Abraxia, who was married; and Georgi and Gebran.

 

Najib Spiridon was raised in the Orthodox Christian faith within the Church of Antioch. He was born in Arsoun, Metn, Mount Lebanon, near Salima village, in 1885. In 1887, his family moved to Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.

Patriarch Theodosius VI Abou Rjeily Patriarch Theodosius VI Abou Rjeily
Elias Korban_ Theodosious

Theodosius VI Abou Rjeily, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and all the East (1885-1970)

Patriarch Theodosius VI Abou Rjeily surrounded by Lebanese immigrants to the USA. To his right, Anthony Bashir, the Metropolitan Archbishop of America. In the back row, the sixth from the left, Mr. William Samuel Bourjaily (1898-1976). Picture taken in 1936

Patriarch Theodosius at the 1962 ordination of Metropolitan Elias (Kourban)

(Patriarch Theodosius stands to the viewer's left of the new metropolitan.)

 

Patriarch Theodosius Abou Rjeily 

Najib Spiridon Abou Rjeily received his early education at the École des Trois Docteurs in Achrafieh (Beirut), then continued his studies at the Kasibiya school in Damascus, Syria. He later joined the theological school at the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand in Tripoli, North Lebanon.

During his studies, he felt a profound calling to monastic life. He moved to Damascus and lived in the patriarchal monastery under the guidance of Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani), while continuing his education at the Orthodox Syriac School in Damascus. Observing his sincerity, intelligence, and promise, Patriarch Meletius tonsured him a monk—at an unknown date—giving him the monastic name Theodosius.

The young Monk Theodosius was later sent back to the Balamand Monastery for further formation. There, he lived with humility, even replacing his cotton mattress with one stuffed with straw. He was known for treating both students and teachers with equal respect. The Balamand Seminary was flourishing at that time and produced several influential church leaders, including Antonius Moubayed of Homs, Mikhail Siyoufi of Damascus, and Mikhail Shehada of Kusba (later Archbishop of Homs). Theodosius distinguished himself by excellent conduct, diligence, and consistently high academic performance, earning the admiration of all.

In 1905, Monk Theodosius was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Gregory (Haddad) of Tripoli.
In 1908, Hierodeacon Theodosius was transferred to the Archdiocese of Diyarbakir (southeastern Turkey) to assist Metropolitan Sylvester (Zerouni), during which he learned the Turkish language. After the repose of Metropolitan Sylvester, he continued serving the diocese. When Archbishop Matthias (Qatni) was elected in 1912, Theodosius returned to Damascus to resume his studies.

Later in 1912, he was sent to Constantinople (Istanbul) to advance his theological education. He earned a degree from a school in Istanbul and then pursued studies at the prestigious Halki Theological Seminary on the Island of Halki. Among his contemporaries was Aristokles Spyrou, later known as Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. During this period, Theodosius greatly improved his command of the Greek language.

In 1914, he was appointed representative of the Patriarchate of Antioch to the Church of Greece in Athens. Later that same year, he was also designated liaison officer between the Antiochian Patriarchate and the Ottoman authorities, serving the Orthodox communities of Syria and Lebanon.

After completing his studies in Istanbul and Halki, he returned to Damascus in 1915. In the same year, Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) ordained him to the Holy Priesthood and immediately elevated him to the rank of Archimandrite. He became the personal secretary of the patriarch and earned the nickname “the translator” due to his exceptional linguistic ability. By then, he was fluent in Arabic, French, Greek, Turkish, and Syriac, with working knowledge of English and Russian.

During a severe financial crisis in the Diocese of Tyre and Sidon, Archimandrite Theodosius was appointed administrator of the diocese after Bishop Elias (Dib) traveled abroad for fundraising. When Bishop Elias later informed the Holy Synod that he would remain in Chile and not return to his diocese, the seat became vacant.

In 1923, the Holy Synod of Antioch elected Archimandrite Theodosius a bishop. He was consecrated by Patriarch Gregory IV and the bishops of Antioch and appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Tyre and Sidon—becoming the sixth bishop since Anastasius (1583). He served faithfully for 25 years.

In 1931, Metropolitan Theodosius represented the Antiochian Orthodox Church at the Orthodox–Old Catholic Conference in Bonn, Germany.

Between 1935–1936, he toured the Antiochian parishes in the United States on behalf of Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan), guiding the election of a new archbishop for Syrian Orthodox communities in North America. His efforts culminated in the election and consecration of Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) in April 1936 at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn—an important step toward strengthening Antiochian unity abroad.

In 1945, he accompanied Patriarch Alexander III to the Soviet Union for the enthronement of Patriarch Alexei I of Moscow.

In 1948, the Holy Synod transferred Metropolitan Theodosius from Tyre and Sidon to the Archdiocese of Tripoli and al-Koura. There, he was known as a devoted shepherd, prioritizing worship, pastoral care, and community development. Under his leadership, numerous churches, schools, and charitable institutions were established or restored, including the Association of the Orthodox Faith Soldiers, Al-Islah School in Amioun, and the Orthodox School of Al-Qayyah. He became the senior bishop of the Church of Antioch and presided over the celebration of Patriarch Alexander III’s 50th episcopal anniversary in 1953.

In 1954, he again accompanied the patriarch to the Soviet Union. The appeals made during this visit by several Orthodox leaders contributed to a gradual improvement in the Soviet state's treatment of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Following the repose of Patriarch Alexander III on June 17, 1958, Metropolitan Theodosius was appointed Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. On November 14, 1958, he was elected and enthroned as Patriarch Theodosius VI of Antioch and All the East at the Mariamite Cathedral in Damascus.

As patriarch, he served a vast flock extending across Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and the broader traditional territory of “All the East,” including historical communities in Persia, India, and China, as well as the rapidly growing diaspora in the Americas, Europe, and Australia.

His patriarchate was marked by significant achievements:

Patriarch Theodosius VI reposed in Christ on September 19, 1970, at Saint George Hospital in Ashrafieh, Beirut. His funeral was celebrated at the Mariamite Cathedral in Damascus, where he was laid to rest in the patriarchal cemetery.

He was preceded by Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) and succeeded by Patriarch Elias IV (Muawad).

At the time of his death, he had spiritual jurisdiction over approximately 1.5 million Orthodox Christians, primarily in Syria and Lebanon, with significant communities across North, Central, and South America, as well as Australia.