Vartan Kechichian
Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. | |
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Coadjutor Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe | |
Church | Armenian Catholic Church |
Appointed | 17 February 2001 |
Term ended | 2 April 2005 |
Other posts |
Abbot Primate of Mekhitarists (1997–2000), Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians (2001–2017) |
Orders | |
Ordination | 8 September 1959 (Priest) |
Consecration |
13 May 2001 (Bishop) by Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni |
Personal details | |
Birth name | Vartan Kechichian |
Born |
Kessab, Syrian Republic (now Syria) | 13 September 1933
Died |
22 November 2017 84) Lido di Venezia, Italy | (aged
Archbishop Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. (Armenian: Վարդան Քեչիչյան; 13 September 1933 – 22 November 2017) was a Syrian-born Armenian Catholic hierarch. He served as a Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians and Coadjutor Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe from 17 February 2001 until his retirement on 2 April 2005.[1]
Life
Archbishop Kechichian was born in the Armenian family in diaspora, in Syria. After the school graduation, he subsequently joined the Order of the Mechitarists in Venice, where he made a solemn profession in August 15, 1956. He was ordained as priest on September 8, 1959,[1] after studies in the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy (1953–1959) with a licentiate in philosophy and theology.[2]
After his ordination to priesthood, he served in the different Mechitarists institutions in Italy, Lebanon, France, Argentina and Syria and in the same time made a pastoral work for the Armenian Catholics. Also from 1997 until 2000 he served as an Abbot Primate of Mekhitarists.[2]
On February 17, 2001 Vardapet Kechichian was nominated by Pope John Paul II and on May 13, 2001 consecrated to the Episcopate as a Coadjutor Ordinary. The principal consecrator was Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, the Head of the Armenian Catholic Church.[1]
Archbishop Kechichian retired from office, because of reaching of the age limit. He died on November 22, 2017 in age 84.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Archbishop Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. †". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- 1 2 3 "È morto il vescovo mons. Vartan Kechichian, dei padri Armeni Mechitaristi". genteveneta.it (in Italian). Retrieved 8 December 2017.
Catholic Church titles | ||
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Preceded by Vartán Waldir Boghossian |
Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians 2001–2017 |
Succeeded by Vacant |