His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios is the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and dependencies.

His Eminence was born in Syria where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He continued his higher education in St John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand (Lebanon), graduating with a Master’s Degree in Theology in 2003. He went on to continue his theological education in Greece, where he graduated with a Doctorate (PhD) in Theology.

Metropolitan Basilios at St Paul’s during the Great Feast of Sts Peter & Paul

In 2012, he founded the St Raphael Antiochian Mission, a philanthropic body that services the needs of Sydney’s homeless, specifically serving food, clothing and social support on a weekly basis and during major holidays. He has received formal training in counselling and community welfare, completing several courses through the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education, as well as through the Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT).

Within Australia, he has lectured at several theological and pastoral conferences and symposiums, as well as serving as the chief lecturer at St Paul’s Orthodox Christian Education (SPOCE) for the Archdiocese, also appearing as a guest lecturer at St Cyril’s Coptic Orthodox Theological College. In 2016, he obtained his teaching accreditation from St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College.

In 2017, following the repose of His Eminence, Metropolitan Paul Saliba, of Thrice-Blessed Memory, he was appointed as Patriarchal Vicar, serving until his recent election as Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and dependencies.

Metropolitan Basilios at Family Camp 2024

He was consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy on November 19th, 2017 at the Lady of Balamand, Lebanon. He was enthroned within the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and dependencies on December 16th, 2017 at the Cathedral of St George in Redfern, Sydney.

His Eminence celebrates his name day on the 1st of January, the feast of St Basil the Great.