Two New Dioceses Established in the Armenian Church
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
15/12/2010
By the Pontifical blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and by a Holy Pontifical Encyclical, two new dioceses were established in Armenia on December 10. The new Dioceses are the Diocese of Vayk and the Diocese of Tavush.
The Pontifical Encyclical states in part,
“Glory to Almighty God for He, through His blessings, strengthens and brightens our Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and guides our nation, leading us on the right path to God. The centuries-old mission of our Church has resulted in the dedicated service of our priests, the strong belief of our faithful, the establishment of new Dioceses and Communities, and the nation-devoted activities of our administrations. Currently, when in our Homeland old sanctuaries are under reconstruction, new Churches are being built, and new Communities and Parishes are being established, there is a necessity to establish new Church Administrations.
For the prosperity of our God-willing mission of our Holy Church, for the efficient organization of the Church-Administrative activities, for the guidance of the spiritual servants, as well as for the professional implementation of regional oversight, by the following Pontifical Encyclical we separate the Ecclesiastical communities of the Vayots Dzor region from the Diocese of Syunik, and the Ecclesiastical communities of Tavush region from the Diocese of Gugark. We establish the foundation of the Diocese of Vayk with its Diocesan Headquarters located in the town of Yeghegnadzor and the Diocese of Tavush with its Diocesan Headquarters located in the town of Ijevan.
His Grace Bishop Abraham Mkrtchian was appointed to serve as the Primate of the new Diocese of Vayk. Bishop Abraham previously served as the Primate of the Diocese of Siunik. Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazijian, former Vicar General of the Diocese of Siunik was appointed to serve as the Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Siunik.
Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Tonikian, who was serving as the Vicar General of Tavush region in the Diocese of Gougark, was appointed as the Locum Tenens of the new Diocese of Tavush.
