In 1997 he was appointed to the Patriarch of Antioch and Syncellus on 21 June 2001, by Pope John Paul II, when his age-related withdrawal from the episcopate was accepted.
He was appointed to the Patriarch of Antioch and Syncellus on 21 June 2001. This was by Pope John Paul II. This was in 1997. His age-related withdrawal from the episcopate was accepted.