Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba fell asleep in the Lord, on Saturday morning, 1 July 2017.

Father and Chief Shepherd of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, Archbishop Paul was born in Bsarma El-Koura in North Lebanon. Ordained in 1966, he studied a Bachelor of Theology in Athens, Greece before serving in the USA within the Archdiocese of North America.

On 5th October 1999  Archbishop Paul was elected Metropolitan to the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines by the Holy Synod of Antioch. He was consecrated on 10th October 1999 in Saint Mary's Patriarchal Cathedral, Damascus, Syria and arrived in Australia in late November that year. He has lived and served in Australia  since then.  

The NCCA gives thanks for his life and service of the People of God and prays that the Triune God in whom he has placed his hope receives him into his everlasting, loving presence.

May his memory be eternal.