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Metropolitan PAUL Paul (Rami) Yazigi was born in 1959 in the coastal city of Lattakya (Syria) into a very devout Christian family. After graduating from the secondary school, where he excelled in his studies, he entered the University of Tishreen and pursued courses for a Civil Engineering degree. While at the university, he was active in youth ministry, sunday school, and Byzantine music training. In 1985, he was [[ordination|ordained]] a deacon. After graduating, he studied theology at the University of Thessaloniki, graduating in 1989 with a Master's degree and in 1992 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theology, with excellence. His thesis, written in Greek, has been published as a book titled: ''Eschatology & Ethics: The Eschatological Foundations of the Life in Christ According to St. John Chrysostom'' (Thessaloniki, Greece, 1992). He also studied Byzantine music and iconography in Greece and at [[Mount Athos]].

Since his elevation to [[metropolitan]], Metr. Paul has been active in ordination of his [[clergy]]. He has, through mid 2008, performed 24 ordinations to the holy diaconate and to the holy priesthood in Aleppo and in Turkey. He was appointed, in September 2005, representative of the Patriarchate of Antioch to the official theological discussions between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. He also was commissioned by the Patriarch to minister the region of Hatay in Turkey that is under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate.

* ''The Christian vision of unity in a multicultural world – the approach of ST St Maxim the Confessor'' (Arabic), Al Nashra, Patriarchate of Antioch.