Church Maronite Church Predecessor Michael Fadel See Patriarch of Antioch Successor Joseph Tyan | Elected June 14, 1795 Name Philip Gemayel Term ended April 12, 1796 | |
Philip Gemayel (born in 1740 in Bikfaya, Lebanon – died on April 12, 1796 in Bkerké, Lebanon) (or Filibus Al-Jumayyil, Philibos Gemaiel, Arabic: فيليبس الجميّل) was the 65th Maronite Patriarch of Antioch for a few months in 1795-1796.
Life
Philip Gemayel was born in Bikfaya, Lebanon about 1740. He was consecrated coadjutor bishop, titular of Listra, on December 1767 by Patriarch Joseph Estephan for the Maronite diocese of Cyprus ruled by his old uncle Elias Gemayel, to whom he succeeded as bishop in 1786. He, as his predecessors, used to reside in Lebanon.
Philip Gemayel was elected Patriarch on June 14, 1795. His election was opposed by some bishops; the ones nearer to the previous Patriarch Joseph Estephan died in 1793, i.e. Joseph Tyan, John Helou and Joseph Najm (or Nujaym). Philip Gemayel asked the Vatican for confirmation, writing a request with twelve propositions. But he died a few months later, on April 12, 1796, before getting his answer. Pope Pius VI, unaware of Gemayel's death, confirmed his election on June 27, 1796.