Khajag Barsamian

His Eminence

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
His Eminence; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
	Arapkir, Turkey
Nationality	Armenian
Denomination	Armenian Apostolic Church
Residence	Rome, Italy
Occupation	Representative of the Armenian Church to Vatican

Khajag Barsamian (

Armenian Church to the Holy See.^[1] Formerly, he was the Primate of Diocese of Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

.

Early life

Barsamian was born in

vartabed

two years later.

His later educational pursuits led him throughout the United States and Europe: to New York's General Theological Seminary, St. John's University in

Mekhitarist Institute of Venice and the Manuscript Library at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. His publications have appeared in various educational and scholarly journals. In October 1991, General Theological Seminary

awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.

Career

Concurrent with and subsequent to his education, he took on pastoral duties in

Vicar General

and director of Ecumenical Relations.

Holy Echmiadzin. In 1992, he received the rank of archbishop. In May 2018, Barsamian announced that he would not seek an eighth term as Primate.^[2] His 28-year reign as Primate is the longest in the history of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. On May 4, 2018, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan (now a bishop) was elected as Barsamian's successor and confirmed by Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Spiritual Leader of the Armenian Church.^[3]^[4]

Other activities

Abp. Barsamian has been a central figure in arranging frequent meetings between the supreme leaders of the Armenian and Catholic churches. He has played a key role in arranging the 2001 visit of Pope John Paul II to Armenia, in bringing together the mass in remembrance of Armenian genocide at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 2015, and in organizing the visit of Pope Francis to Armenia in June 2016.

As the former president of Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Barsamian led the effort to develop Armenia and bring humanitarian assistance to its citizens.

Abp. Barsamian is a leader in religious and ecumenical organizations, including the

National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, Religion in American Life, and the American Bible Society

.

Recognition

He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and has received honorary doctorates from General Theological Seminary, Seton Hall University, and the Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

References

^ Gagliarducci, Andrea (20 December 2018). "Armenian Apostolic Church appoints first-ever representative in Rome". No. 276. Catholic News Agency.
^ "Abp. Barsamian Announces He Will Not Seek Another Term as Primate". mailchi.mp. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
^ "Diocesan Assembly Elects Fr. Daniel Findikyan as Primate - The Armenian Church". The Armenian Church. 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
^ "Catholicos of All Armenians Confirms Election of New Primate - The Armenian Church". The Armenian Church. 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-09.

External links

[1] Gagliarducci, Andrea (20 December 2018). "Armenian Apostolic Church appoints first-ever representative in Rome". No. 276. Catholic News Agency.

[2] "Abp. Barsamian Announces He Will Not Seek Another Term as Primate". mailchi.mp. Retrieved 2018-05-06.

[3] "Diocesan Assembly Elects Fr. Daniel Findikyan as Primate - The Armenian Church". The Armenian Church. 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2018-05-06.

[4] "Catholicos of All Armenians Confirms Election of New Primate - The Armenian Church". The Armenian Church. 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-09.

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Authority control databases
International	FAST VIAF
National	United States