Source: Photograph, December 1996

Address:
417 E. Fairmount Rd.
Burbank, CA 91501
Phone: (818) 845-5089

Born in Qamishly, Syria, in 1955, His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Clemis Eugene (Awgen) Kaplan completed his high school education in Qamishly. In 1969, His Eminence joined the St. Ephraim Theological Seminary in Atshaneh, Lebanon and graduated in 1973. He then pursued theological, pastoral and liturgical education at Mor Hananya Monastery (Deyr ul-Zaafaran), Turkey. He was called to monastic life in 1971 and was ordained to sacred priesthood in 1983. From 1974-1981 he served as a teacher of Syriac and Arabic languages and theology at the Za`faran monastery. In 1982, His Eminence was appointed as the Principal of the Theological Seminary of Mor Gabriel Monastery in Turkey and served in this capacity until 1990. On April 12, 1991, His Eminence was consecrated Metropolitan and appointed Patriarchal Assistant. His Eminence was elected to the Patriarchate Vicarate of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western United States by H. H. Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I and assumed responsibilities as Patriarchal Vicar on April 7th, 1996. Archbishop Mor Clemis is fluent in both classical and vernacular Syriac as well as Arabic, Turkish and English. He is the author of many theological, historical and linguistic articles, and has translated many books and articles from and into Arabic, Syriac and Turkish.

Source: Soonthroneeso (enthronement) rite of Archbishop Mor Clemis at St. Ephraim's Church, Burbank on April 7th, 1996