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Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
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February 19, 2007

His Holiness Karekin II Elevates Three Bishops

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
has elevated three bishops of the Armenian Church to the rank of
Archbishop.  The honor, given by Pontifical Encyclical, was recently
bestowed upon His Grace Bishop Aris Shirvanian, His Grace Bishop Sevan
Gharibian and His Grace Bishop Vicken Aykazian, for their years of devoted
service to the Armenian Church and people.

Archbishop Aris Shirvanian is the director of Ecumenical and Foreign
Relations for the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.  He also serves as the
official spokesman for the Patriarchate and is a lecturer on theology at the
Patriarchate’s Theological Seminary.

Archbishop Sevan Gharibian is a senior member of the Armenian Patriarchate
of Jerusalem.  During his pastoral service, he has held various scholastic
and administrative positions within the St. James Monastery in Jerusalem.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian is the Diocesan Legate and director of Ecumenical
Relations for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).  He
is also President-elect of the National Council of Churches USA and serves
on the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches.