Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

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Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia
Native name
Ռաֆայել Պետրոս ԻԱ. Մինասյան
(Rrafayel Bedros XXI Minasyan)
ChurchArmenian Catholic Church
ArchdioceseCilicia
SeePatriarchate of Cilicia
Elected23 September 2021
Installed24 October 2021
PredecessorGregory Peter XX Ghabroyan
SuccessorIncumbent
Other post(s)Patriarchal Exarch of Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman (2005–2011),
Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe,
Titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia for Armenians (2011–2021)
Orders
Ordination24 June 1973 (Priest)
Consecration16 July 2011 (Bishop)
by Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni
Personal details
Born
Raphaël François Minassian

(1946-11-24) 24 November 1946 (age 77)
Alma materPontifical Gregorian University,
Salesian Pontifical University
Styles of
Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian
Reference styleHis Beatitude
Spoken styleYour Beatitude
Religious styleCatholicos

Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, I.C.P.B. (Armenian: Ռաֆայել Պետրոս ԻԱ. Մինասյան; born 24 November 1946) is a Lebanese-born hierarch who serves as the 21st patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church. He previously served as ordinary of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe, which covers Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine, from 24 June 2011 to 23 September 2021 and as a Patriarchal Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman from 26 September 2005 to 24 June 2011.

Life[edit]

Raphaël François Minassian was born in Beirut, Lebanon on 24 November 1946. After the primary school education, he joined the Minor seminary of the Patriarchal Congregation of Bzommar in 1958, where he later made a profession. After that, he went on to study in Rome at the Pontifical Levonian Armenian College. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a licentiate in philosophy and theology, and at the Salesian Pontifical University, where he earned a degree in the practical psychology.[1] He was ordained a priest on 24 June 1973.[2]

He then worked in various Armenian Catholic institutions in Lebanon and in the United States and at the same time performed pastoral work for the Armenian Catholics. On 26 September 2005, he was appointed Patriarchal Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman, where he served almost six years.[1]

On 24 June 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Minassian ordinary of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on 16 July from Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, the Head of the Armenian Catholic Church.[3]

On 23 September 2021, he was elected as the Church's 21st patriarch and took the name Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian.[4] He was enthroned as Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics on 24 October 2021 in Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Beirut.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Fr. Raphael Archbishop Minassian". Official Website of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Rinunce e Nomine, 24.06.2011" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Archbishop Raphaël François Minassian, I.C.P.B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Armenian Synod elects new Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia". Vatican News. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Minassian: il Libano soffre, mi metto a servizio per curarne i bisogni". Vatican News (in Italian). 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Patriarchal Exarch of Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman
2005–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia for Armenians
2011–2021
Vacant
Preceded by
Vahan Ohanian
as Apostolic Administrator
Ordinary for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe
2011–2021
Succeeded by
Mikael Bassalé
as Apostolic Administrator
Preceded by Patriarch Catholicos of Cilicia
2021–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent