Cyril VIII Jaha
Encyclopedia
Cyril VIII Geha (November 26, 1840 – January 11, 1916) was patriarch
of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
from 1902 until 1916. He was the last Melkite Catholic patriarch of the Ottoman
era.
, Syria
in 1840, He was consecrated the Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo on May 3, 1885 by patriarch Gregory II Youssef
. On June 29, 1902 he became patriarch of the Melkites.
In 1909 Cyril convoked a synod at Ain Traz
to develop the disciplinary legislation of the Melkite Church. However, the work of the synod failed to gain confirmation from Pope Pius X, who lacked the desire of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, to promote the traditional rights and privileges of the Eastern Churches.
Upon Cyril's death in 1916 the patriarchal see was vacant until the election of Demetrius I Qadi
in 1919.
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
from 1902 until 1916. He was the last Melkite Catholic patriarch of the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
era.
Life
Geha was born in AleppoAleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
in 1840, He was consecrated the Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo on May 3, 1885 by patriarch Gregory II Youssef
Gregory II Youssef
Patriarch Gregory II Youssef, also known as Gregory II Hanna Youssef-Sayour , was Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1864 to 1897...
. On June 29, 1902 he became patriarch of the Melkites.
In 1909 Cyril convoked a synod at Ain Traz
Ain Traz
The Ain Traz Seminary of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, located southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, has served various roles during its 200 year history. Given by the El Saad family , it was founded in 1811 by Melkite Patriarch Agapius II Matar, it was first intended as a seminary...
to develop the disciplinary legislation of the Melkite Church. However, the work of the synod failed to gain confirmation from Pope Pius X, who lacked the desire of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, to promote the traditional rights and privileges of the Eastern Churches.
Upon Cyril's death in 1916 the patriarchal see was vacant until the election of Demetrius I Qadi
Demetrius I Qadi
Demetrius I Qadi was patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1919 until 1925.-Life:...
in 1919.