Demetrius I Qadi (1919–1925)

Demetrius I Qadi (or Dimitros I Cadi) (January 18, 1861 – October 25, 1925) was patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1919 until 1925.

 

Life

Joseph Qadi was born in Damascus, Syria. Ordained a Melkite priest, he was appointed bishop of Aleppo on October 27, 1903 and ordained November 29, 1903 by patriarch Cyril VIII Jaha. On April 6, 1919 he was elected patriarch by the Melkite Synod of Bishops. At that point the patriarchate had been vacant for three years since the death of Cyril VIII Jaha in 1916.

During his brief reign the Melkite Church experienced a rapid expansion in the Near East as situations for the Greek Catholics improved during the period of the French Mandate. Demetrius also began radical reforms in the Melkite Church, including prepartaions for Melkite councils to address canonical matters. However, Demetrius did not live to participate in these councils, and died in 1925. He was succeeded upon his death by Patriarch Cyril IX Moghabghab.

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