Dionysius studied and became a monk at the monastery of Beth Batin, near Harran in Upper Mesopotamia.
[2] He was chosen to succeed Theodosius Romanus as patriarch of Antioch in an election by lot, and was consecrated on 23 April 896/897 (AG 1208)[nb 1] by archbishop Jacob of Emesa at the village of Ashit, near Sarug, according to the histories of Michael the Syrian and Bar Hebraeus.
[5][6] Soon after his ascension to the patriarchal office, Dionysius convened a synod at the monastery of Saint Shila, at which he issued twenty-five canons and was attended by thirty-five bishops.
[2] He served as patriarch of Antioch until his death on 18 April 908/909 (AG 1220) at the monastery of Beth Batin, where he was buried.
[5][7] As patriarch, Dionysius ordained fifty bishops, as per Michael the Syrian's Chronicle,[6] whereas Bar Hebraeus in his Ecclesiastical History credits Dionysius with the ordination of fifty-one bishops.