Armenian Catholic Archeparchy of Istanbul

The Armenian Catholic Archeparchy of Istanbul, also known as Armenian Catholic Archdiocese of Constantinople, serves Armenian Catholics in Turkey and is under the Armenian Catholic Patriarch of Cilicia. Its cathedral is St. Mary of Sakızağaç Cathedral in Istanbul.

Archeparchy of Istanbul

Constantinopolitanus Armenorum

İstanbul Archeparchy
Armenian catholic cathedral in Istanbul
Location
CountryTurkey
MetropolitanImmediately Subject to the Patriarch
Population
- Catholics
(as of 2009)
3,450
Information
DenominationArmenian Catholic Church
RiteArmenian Rite
Established15 October 1928
CathedralCathedral of St John Chrysostom in Istanbul
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
PatriarchRaphaël Bedros XXI Minassian
ArchbishopBoghos Lévon Zékiyan
Bishops emeritusKévork Khazoumian Coadjutor Archbishop Emeritus

History

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The eparchy was established by Pope Pius VIII on 6 July 1830.[1] Pope Gregory XVI referred to it as "a new see" in a letter addressed to its first Archbishop, Antonio Nurigian sent on 3 February 1832.[1]

The eparchy was combined with the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia from 1866 until 1928 and was the patriarch's see, based in Istanbul. When the patriarchal seat was moved to Beirut, Lebanon, the current archeparchy was erected on 15 October 1928.[2][3]

On 21 March 2015, it was made known that the Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, with the consent of the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church, and after having informed the Holy See, had accepted the resignation of Archbishop Hovhannes Tcholakian.

Mons. Boghos Lévon Zékiyan was then elected Archbishop of Istanbul by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Armenia.

On the 21 October 2024, The Synod of the Church of Cilicia of the Armenians has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archeparchy of Istanbul of the Armenians, presented by Archbishop Lévon Boghos Zékiyan, and has appointed the Reverend Archpriest Vartan Kirakos Kazanjian, until now protosyncellus of the same archeparchy, as eparchial archbishop of Istanbul of the Armenians, Turkey.

In 2008 there were 3,650 Armenian Catholics belonging to the diocese.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Pope Gregory XVI, Breve: Inter Gravissimas, in Italian, published on 3 February 1832, accessed on 27 August 2024
  2. ^ "The Eparchy of Constantinople (Turkey) of the Patriarchal Armenian Catholic Church". Armenian Catholic Church. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Archeparchy of Istanbul (Armenian)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 25 January 2012.

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