RETURNING HISTORICAL CHURCHES IS OUR MOST TOPICAL ISSUE: BP. MIRZAKHANIAN
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/729084/returning-historical-churches-is-our-most-topical-issue-bp-mirzakhanian.html
16:04, 13 August, 2013
YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, ARMENPRESS. The returning of the historical
Armenian churches and lack of clergy are the most topical issues of
the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia. As
reports "Armenpress", "Union" information centre of the Armenian
community of Georgia had a conversation with the Primate of the Diocese
of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia Bishop Vasken
Mirzakhanian regarding the Armenian community, diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church in Georgia and its relations with the Georgian Church.
The Primate of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church
in Georgia Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian stated that at the course of
ten years of his being in office the acting cathedrals and churches
have been restored. A lot of work has been conducted with the people
via the organized events, information sources, and active presence
thus changing the attitude of the Georgian officials and the Georgian
people towards the Armenian nation and Armenian Church. "This year the
Prime Minister of Georgia attended the ceremonies dedicated to the Holy
Nativity. One year ago the President himself honored the liturgy served
in Holy Nativity. The Mayor and a number of Ministers, Deputies, and
spiritual leaders of other churches as well attended the Easter Mass.
These all prove that the people's attitude towards the Armenians
changes," the Primate of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox
Holy Church in Georgia Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian noted.
Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian (baptismal name Edward) was born on 21 July
1965 in the village of Artimed (formerly Atarbekian) of the district
of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin). He studied in the secondary school of
the village starting in 1971, and graduated in 1982.
He entered the Gevorkian Theological Seminary at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin in 1982. From 1984 to 1986 he deferred the continuation
of his education to serve in the Soviet Army. After the completion
of his tour of duty, he continued his studies at the Seminary.
He was ordained to the diaconate on 7 May 1989 by Archbishop Housik
Santourian. In 1990, he successfully defended his final theses entitled
The life and Literary Heritage of Archimandrite Grigor Skearatsi.
On 4 September 2002, he was appointed to serve as the Primate of the
Diocese of Georgia. Father Vazken was consecrated as a Bishop on 23
July 2003, by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin
II, in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
On 20 November 2003 he was appointed to serve as the executive director
of the Episcopal Council's Organizational office
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/729084/returning-historical-churches-is-our-most-topical-issue-bp-mirzakhanian.html
16:04, 13 August, 2013
YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, ARMENPRESS. The returning of the historical
Armenian churches and lack of clergy are the most topical issues of
the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia. As
reports "Armenpress", "Union" information centre of the Armenian
community of Georgia had a conversation with the Primate of the Diocese
of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia Bishop Vasken
Mirzakhanian regarding the Armenian community, diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church in Georgia and its relations with the Georgian Church.
The Primate of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church
in Georgia Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian stated that at the course of
ten years of his being in office the acting cathedrals and churches
have been restored. A lot of work has been conducted with the people
via the organized events, information sources, and active presence
thus changing the attitude of the Georgian officials and the Georgian
people towards the Armenian nation and Armenian Church. "This year the
Prime Minister of Georgia attended the ceremonies dedicated to the Holy
Nativity. One year ago the President himself honored the liturgy served
in Holy Nativity. The Mayor and a number of Ministers, Deputies, and
spiritual leaders of other churches as well attended the Easter Mass.
These all prove that the people's attitude towards the Armenians
changes," the Primate of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox
Holy Church in Georgia Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian noted.
Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian (baptismal name Edward) was born on 21 July
1965 in the village of Artimed (formerly Atarbekian) of the district
of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin). He studied in the secondary school of
the village starting in 1971, and graduated in 1982.
He entered the Gevorkian Theological Seminary at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin in 1982. From 1984 to 1986 he deferred the continuation
of his education to serve in the Soviet Army. After the completion
of his tour of duty, he continued his studies at the Seminary.
He was ordained to the diaconate on 7 May 1989 by Archbishop Housik
Santourian. In 1990, he successfully defended his final theses entitled
The life and Literary Heritage of Archimandrite Grigor Skearatsi.
On 4 September 2002, he was appointed to serve as the Primate of the
Diocese of Georgia. Father Vazken was consecrated as a Bishop on 23
July 2003, by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin
II, in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
On 20 November 2003 he was appointed to serve as the executive director
of the Episcopal Council's Organizational office