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A Spiritual Journey in Qatar: Archbishop Makarios Bids Farewell After 21 Years of Service
Ashraf Siddiqui
After more than two decades of dedicated spiritual leadership in Qatar, Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has stepped down from his post, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the country's religious and interfaith history.
Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune recently on the eve of his departure from Doha,Archbishop Makarios told that he landed in Qatar in 2003, and has served as the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Qatar for 21 years.
During his tenure, he witnessed and contributed to the profound transformation of both Qatar as a nation and its Christian expatriate community.
Reflecting on his time, he described Doha's dramatic evolution—from a modest city of around 600,000 inhabitants to a thriving metropolis with world-class infrastructure, dynamic interfaith relations, and a flourishing expatriate community.
Refreshing his memories, when the Archbishop first arrived, worship services were held in schools, hotels, and makeshift locations. It wasn't until 2005 that the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then Amir of State of Qatar, allocated a dedicated plot of land in the Msheireb area for officially recognised Christian denominations. This move, Archbishop Makarios emphasised, was a turning point. It enabled the construction of purpose-built churches and formalised the presence of Christianity in Qatar.
Over the years, Archbishop Makarios became a leading figure in interfaith dialogue.
He played an instrumental role in establishing the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) around 2007–2008, and remained an active participant in its annual conferences and roundtable discussions. These platforms brought together representatives of diverse faiths—Muslims, Christians, and others—to foster mutual understanding and respect in a multicultural society.
His church community was equally diverse. Services were conducted in six languages—Greek, Arabic, English, Russian, Romanian, and Serbian—serving congregants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He noted that this multiethnic, multilingual environment not only enriched the religious fabric of Qatar, but also broadened his personal and spiritual horizons.
Born in Greece and raised in Jerusalem from the age of 12, Archbishop Makarios pursued theological studies in Jerusalem, Serbia, and Jordan.
Prior to his assignment in Qatar, he served as a priest in Gaza and various Jordanian cities, where he also learned Arabic. His journey as a spiritual leader was marked by deep immersion in local cultures and languages, enabling him to connect authentically with people across borders.
Looking back, Archbishop Makarios described his experience in Qatar as one of the most fruitful periods of his life.
As he prepares to take on a new role as Metropolitan of Acre in northern Israel, Archbishop Makarios said he will carry the memories and friendships formed in Qatar with him. Though his official duties will shift, he intends to maintain ties with Qatar, a place he now considers a second home.
His departure marks not just the end of an era, but a legacy of faith, diplomacy, and cultural bridge-building that will continue to resonate in Qatar's vibrant religious landscape.
Incoming Archbishop Aristovoulos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has served in various significant locations throughout the Holy Land, including as a conductor at the Holy Sepulchre. He has ministered in Beyjala near Bethlehem, as well as in Madaba, Jordan. Prior to his current appointment, he was entrusted with the pastoral care of all Russian-speaking communities within the Patriarchate.
