Archbishop Joseph Gébara

Joseph Gebara was born in Amatour (Chouf) on June 10, 1965. After completing his initial studies, he obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Saint Paul Theological Institute in Harissa (1995), a Master’s degree in Theology from the Institut Catholique in Paris (1998), a *Diplôme d'Études Approfondies* (DEA) in Patristics (2000), and a Doctorate in the History of Religions and Religious Anthropology (2003) from the Sorbonne University in Paris. He was ordained a priest for the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Beirut and Jbeil on July 10, 1993. After serving pastorally at Saint Elie Church in Dekwaneh (1993–1995), he collaborated with the parishes of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (1996–1998) and Notre-Dame des Champs in Montparnasse (1998–2003) while pursuing his specialized studies in Paris. Upon returning to Lebanon in 2003, he was appointed parish priest of Notre-Dame de la Délivrance Church in Hadath. He served as Dean of the Third District of the Beirut Archeparchy (2006–2011). He has taught at various academic institutions—including the Saint Paul Theological Institute in Harissa, Saint Joseph University in Beirut, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, and Antonine University in Baabda—and served as Director of the Institute of Islamic-Christian Studies at Saint Joseph University. Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Eparchy on October 31, 2013, he was consecrated on December 21 of that same year. He speaks Arabic and French and is proficient in classical languages.