Archbishop Atallah Hanna
Theodosios (Hanna) of Sebastia is the Archbishop of Sebastia from the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Also known by his given name of Atallah Hanna, the archbishop is beloved by Palestinians for his courageous resistance to the occupation. In several visits to the United States, Archbishop Hanna appeared before universities, Christian associations and human rights organizations, where he defended Palestinians’ right to freedom and self-determination.
For his passionate commitment and sense of mission, Archbishop Hanna has emerged as an acknowledged authority and respected figure by the Arab League. He is a member of the Arab National Unity as well as the Palestinian National Committee, where he helped create a better understanding about Palestine’s status in the international law. On Aug. 22, 2002, the archbishop was detained by Israeli police and brought to Al-Maskobiya prison in Jerusalem for extensive interrogation. For three years, he was prevented from traveling. He regained his freedom of movement in 2006.
Theodosios of Sebastia founded the Orthodox Youth Movement in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. He also raised the topic of Christian religious education in Arab schools in Israel and participated in the establishment and development of curricula for Palestinian schools. He is an active and an effective member of the international ecumenical movement and enhanced dialogue between churches. In addition, the archbishop actively participated in Christian-Muslim dialogue to help foster the spirit of cooperation and unity in Palestine. He also participated in the work of the Christian-Islamic group in the Middle East Council of Churches.
Archbishop Atallah Hanna was born in 1965 in the Galilean village of Al Rameh. In 1983, he matriculated at Thessalonica University in Greece in the Faculty of Theology. After graduating with honors, he went on to complete a master’s degree and doctorate. In 1991, he was ordained as a deacon and priest in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He was ordained as archbishop on Dec. 24, 2005, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He is the second Palestinian to hold the position of archbishop in the history of the diocese.
