Vartan Kechichian

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]

Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M.
Coadjutor Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe
ChurchArmenian Catholic Church
Appointed17 February 2001
Term ended2 April 2005
Other postsAbbot Primate of Mekhitarists (1997–2000),
Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians (2001–2017)
Orders
Ordination8 September 1959 (Priest)
Consecration13 May 2001 (Bishop)
by Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni
Personal details
Birth nameVartan Kechichian
Born(1933-09-13)13 September 1933
Kessab, Syrian Republic
(now Syria)
Died22 November 2017(2017-11-22) (aged 84)
Lido di Venezia, Italy

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 on 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. "Archbishop Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. †". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  2. "È morto il vescovo mons. Vartan Kechichian, dei padri Armeni Mechitaristi". genteveneta.it (in Italian). Retrieved 8 December 2017.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Vartán Waldir Boghossian		 Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians
2001–2017		 Succeeded by
Vacant
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