Armenian Catholics get new Patriarch

BEIRUT (Massis Post) — Bishop Krikor Ghabroyan (Emeritus Bishop of the Eparchy of France) was elected the new Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church. The new Patriarch has assumed the name Grégoire Pierre XX.

The celebration of its installation will be on August 9 in Lebanon. It will carry the title of “Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians”. the patriarchal headquarters is located in the convent of Bzommar and his residence in Beirut.

Pope Francis has sent a message of congratulations to the new Armenian Catholic Paticarch of Cilicia, his Beatiude Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan.

In the message Pope Francis expressed hope that his new ministry will bear many fruits, adding that his elections comes at a time when the Armenian church is confronted with various difficulties and challenges, the Vatican Radio reported.

Pope Francis referred to the terrible ordeals that some Armenian Catholics in the Middle East are facing. But he added that “illuminated by the light of faith in the risen Christ, our vision of the world is full of hope and mercy, because we are certain that the Cross of Jesus is the tree that gives life”.

Bishop Krikor Ghabroyan, born November 15, 1934 in Aleppo, Syria. He was ordained a priest March 28, 1959, appointed Bishop 3 January 1977. He was consecrated bishop 13 February 1977.

His Beatitude Grabroyan studied at the Minor Seminary of the Institute of Bzommar Patriarchal clergy; then to the College of the Marist Brothers of Jounieh (Lebanon); Armenian Leone Pontifical College in Rome; and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome

Its various departments were: School Director St. Mesrob Bourj Hammoud (1960 – 1969), rector of the minor seminary of Bzommar (1969 – 1976), General Treasurer of the Institute of the patriarchal clergy of Bzommar (1976) . Armenian Apostolic Exarch of France (1977 – 1986) and Eparch of the same diocese (1986-2013). Since his retirement, he had retired from the Paris region.