Armenian Catholic Ordinariate of Eastern Europe

The Armenian Catholic Ordinariate of Eastern Europe is an Ordinariate (quasi-diocese) of the Armenian Catholic Church (Eastern Catholic, Armenian Rite in Armenian language) for its faithful in certain Eastern European ex-Soviet countries without proper Ordinary for their particular church sui iuris.

It is exempt, i.e. directly dependent on the Holy See (notably the Roman Congregation for the Oriental Churches), not part of any ecclesiastical province. Its headquarters are Rue Atarbekyan 82, Giumri, Armenia.

History

Established on 1991.07.13 as Ordinariate of East Europe for Armenian Catholics in former Soviet republics Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine.

Ordinaries

Ordinaries of East Europe (Armenian Rite)

• Nerses Der Nersessian, Mechitarists (C.A.M.) (1991.07.13 – 2005.04.02), Archbishop ad personam (1991.07.13 – 1992.07.09), then (also emeritate) Titular Archbishop of Sebaste of the Armenians (1992.07.09 – death 2006.12.24)
  • Coadjutor Ordinary Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. (2001.02.17 – 2005.04.02)
• Neshan Karakéhéyan, Patriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar (I.C.P.B.) (2005.04.02 – 2010.01.06), Titular Archbishop of Adana of the Armenians (2005.04.02 – ...), also Apostolic Administrator of Greece of the Armenians (below) (2000.09.27 – 2015.03.21), Patriarchal Administrator of Ispahan of the Armenians (below) (2005.04.02 – 2015.10.01; previously Ordinary of Greece of the Armenians (Greece) (1991 – 2000.09.27), Eparch (Bishop) of Ispahan of the Armenians (Iran) (2000.09.27 – 2005.04.02)
• Apostolic Administrator Father Vahan Ohanian (2010.01.06 – 2011.06.24), no other office recorded
• Raphaël François Minassian (2011.06.24 – ...), Titular Archbishop of Cesarea in Cappadocia of the Armenians (2011.06.24 – ...); previously Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem and Amman of the Armenians (Jordan) (2006 – 2011.06.24)

Source and External links

• GCatholic with incumbent bio links