His Beatitude Msgr. Michel Sabbah

1.3.1993         Born in Nazareth, son of As’ad Sabbah & Ghandourah Abu Nassar

                   Elementary studies at the “Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes” in Nazareth.

2.10.1943      Enters the minor Latin Patriarchal Seminary in Beit Jala.

1.10.1948      Enters the Major Seminary for Philosophy and Theology.

28.6.1955   Ordained priest by the Patriarch Alberto Gori in the Salesian Church in Nazareth.

12.8. 1955  Appointed Assistant Parish Priest in Madaba/Jordan

                   Teacher of Arabic Language in the Seminary and Patriarchal Master of ceremonies.

                   Follows courses in the Jesuit University in Beirut for arabic language

1965                      Diocesan Chaplain for the JEC

1965                     Resides in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and is appointed General  Director of the Patriarchal Schools.

1968-1970    Goes on religious vice to Djibouti.

1.6.1970            Starts in Beirut his thesis in Philology of Arabic Language.

14.8.1971        Appointed Parish Priest in Amman (Misdar, Christ the King Church)

                 Presents at Sorbonne University his Thesis for PH.D. in Philology of the arabic language.

24.3.1975        Principal of the National Secondary College in Amman.

1980                        President of Bethlehem University until 1988.

1.1.1985             Appointed Canon of the Holy Sepulcher (Patriarchal Council).

11.12.1987            Nomination to in Patriarch of Jerusalem.

28.12.1987            Publication of his nomination by Vatican Radio.

6.1.1988                    President of the Catholic family in the Middle East Council of Churches.

1989    Pastoral Letter “Our Faith in the Holy Land”.

1990    Pastoral Letter “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”

1993        Pastoral Letter “To read the Bible in the Land of the Bible”.

1997        Pastoral Letter “How to prepare ourselves to Great Jubilee of the year 2000”.

1998        Pastoral Letter “Questions and Answers about Peace”

20-26.3.2000   Invites and welcomes His Holiness

As Patriarch he is also:

-   President of Episcopal Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Region (CELERA).

-   President of the Assembly of the Catholics Ordinaries of the Holy Land.  

-   Member of the Council of Catholics Patriarchs of the Middle East.

-    Member of the Council of Christians Ordinaries of the Holy Land.

-    Member of the Middle East Council of Churches.

-    President of Pax Christi International since last July 1999.