Archbishop Jean-Abdo Arbach

Jean-Abdo Arbach, B.C., was born in Yabroud, Syria, on June 28, 1952. In 1977, he made his perpetual vows in the Basilian Order of Soar (Chouérites). He obtained a Licentiate in Liturgy from the "Saint-Esprit" University in Kaslik, Lebanon. He is proficient in Arabic, French, and Spanish. He was ordained a priest on August 24, 1980. Subsequently, he held various positions, including: General Councilor of the Soarite Order (1989–1995), Parish Priest in Córdoba, Argentina (1996–2005), and Director of the Order's school in Zahlé, Lebanon (2005–2006). On October 17, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Exarch for the Greek-Melkite faithful residing in Argentina, raising him to the episcopal dignity as Titular Bishop of Palmyra of the Greek-Melkites. He received episcopal ordination in Zahlé on February 3, 2007, from His Beatitude the Patriarch of Antioch.