His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka 1 Iwas
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East
Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church

Extracts from H.H.'s Biography
 
H.H. was born on 21st April, 1933, into the faithful family of Iwas in Mosul, Iraq.
H.H. obtained his elementary studies at the school of Our Lady's Parish then was transfered to St. Thomas school.
In the year 1946 H.H. joined the Theological Seminary in Mosul, and was called Zakka.
In the year 1948 He was ordained as a deacon at the rank of Reader.
In the year 1953 promoted to the rank of Half-Deacon (Afodyacno).
In the year 1954 honoured with the Monk's rank.
In the year 1955 promoted to the rank of Deacon.
On 27th November 1957 was ordained by H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Yacoub the third as a priest, and in the year 1959 was honoured with the Holy Cross.
H.H. at the beginning of his service with the clergy became the Secretary of the Patriarchate, when H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Afram Barsoum the First (1933-1957+) appointed Him as the Patriarchate Secretary, then became the personal secretary for His Holiness. He maintained this position for a while at the time H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Yacoub the Third became a Patriarch (1957-1980+).
In the year 1960 H.H. joined the General Theological College in New York, and the University of New York in the USA, where he spent two years studying oriental languages and pastoral theology and mastered the English language.
In the year 1963 H.H. was promoted to the rank of Archbishop and was appointed in Mosul, Iraq.
In the year 1969 H.H. was transferred to the Archdiocese of Baghdad, Iraq.
In the year 1978 H.H. was appointed acting Archbishop of Australia.
In the year 1980 H.H. was elected by The Synod of the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church to be the Patriarch 122nd in the series of Patriarchs since St. Peter on the See of Antioch, to succeed H.H. Mor Ignatius Yacoub the third who departed this earthy world on 25th June 1980.
H.H. represented the Church in several international conventions.
H.H. is a member in different Eastern and Western Academies.
H.H. is an author of a number of valuable books in Christian education, theology, history and culture in Syriac, Arabic and English languages.
H.H. puts all his efforts in improving and prospering Our Holy Church and the latest achievement of H.H. is The Monastery of St. Ephrem the Syrian, which was founded by His Holiness in Mar'at Seydnaya, Damascus - Syria (inaugurated by H.H. on 14SEP1996). This Monastery forms a part of the great project which will include different centers and facilities undergoing establishment in Mar'at Seydnaya, Damascus - Syria.
On the 14th of September 1980 St. George's Cathedral in Damascus - Syria witnessed this great event, when H.H. took over the responsibilities and authority of Our Syrian Orthodox Church. From that date 14th September 1980 H.H. worked and continues to work hard to serve Our Holy Church spiritually, ecumenically and physically.
Nowadays, and on the 14th of September each year, the Syrian Orthodox Church all over the world celebrates with all pride and triumph the Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church on St. Peter See the See of Antioch.