Raban Youhanna Lahdo Consecrated as Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia

OCP News Service – 09/10/2023

Södertälje – Sweden: Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated Raban Youhanna Lahdo as the Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia on December 09, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saint Jacob of Nisibis in Södertälje, Sweden. Raban Youhanna Lahdo was consecrated with the title Archbishop Mor Youhanna Lahdo.

The consecration ceremony was attended by members of the Holy Synod, clergy, and the faithful of the archdiocese, as well as local religious and civil dignitaries. Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia represented the Ecumenical Patriarch in the consecration.

Mor Youhanna Lahdo was elected as the Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia on September 26, 2023, succeeding His Eminence Mor Julius Abdulahad Shabo, who retired from his office.

Brief Bio:

Mor Youhanna Lahdo was born in Malikiyeh, Syria, in 1980. He joined Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in 1999 and graduated in 2003. He was tonsured as a monk in 2003 and ordained as a priest in 2004. Our late predecessor, Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, bestowed upon him the pectoral cross in 2010. In 2012, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the University of Athens, followed by a Master’s degree in biblical studies in 2016. Currently, he is pursuing his doctoral studies at the Department of Biblical Studies at the same university.

Between 2003 and 2006, he served at Mor Aphrem Monastery, Mor Hananya Monastery (Deirulzafaran), St. Mark Monastery in Jerusalem, and the Patriarchal Vicariate in Zahleh. Since 2017, he has been serving at the Archdiocese of Sweden and Scandinavia. Throughout his pastoral ministry, he has conducted Bible studies, spiritual programs, and prayers for the youth.

Source:

OCP News Service