Background
Barsamian, Khajag Sarkis was born on July 4, 1951 in Arapkir, Turkey. Came to the United States, 1977. Son of Ohannes and Bulbul Borsumoglu.
Barsamian, Khajag Sarkis was born on July 4, 1951 in Arapkir, Turkey. Came to the United States, 1977. Son of Ohannes and Bulbul Borsumoglu.
Student, Seminary of Armenian Patriarchate, Jerusalem, 1971. Master of Divinity, General Theological Seminary, New York, 1980. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), General Theological Seminary, New York, 1991.
Master of Arts, Oriental Institute of Gregorian University, Rome, 1984. Postgraduate, Oriental Institute of Gregorian University, Rome, since 1984.
At the age of 13, he began his religious studies at the Holy Cross Armenian Seminary in Istanbul. Encouraged by Archbishop Shnork Kaloustian (the late Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople), he went to Jerusalem to study at the Seminary of the Saint James Armenian Patriarchate from 1967 to 1971. His later educational pursuits have led him throughout the United States and Europe: to New York"s General Theological Seminary, Saint John"s University in Minneapolis, the Gregorian University in Rome, and Oxford"s Oriental Institute.
He has lectured in the United States., Italy, England, Germany, Jerusalem and Armenia, and has conducted research at the Manuscript Library of Yerevan, the Mekhitarist Institute of Venice and the Manuscript Library at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
His publications have appeared in various educational and scholarly journals. In October 1991, General Theological Seminary awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.
Concurrent with and subsequent to his education, he has taken on pastoral duties in Istanbul. In the Armenian communities in Jaffa, Haifa and Ramleh.
And throughout the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America—in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Minneapolis – Saint Paul and at the Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City, where he served as Vicar General and director of Ecumenical Relations. Khajag Barsamian was elected as in the spring of 1990 (succeeding Abp Torkom Manoogian), and was subsequently elevated to the rank of bishop by Vasken I (the late Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians), at the Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin. In 1992, he received the rank of archbishop.
He is currently serving his seventh four-year term as chief bishop of the largest diocese of the Armenian diaspora.
As the president of Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Khajag Barsamian he has led the effort to develop Armenia and bring humanitarian assistance to its citizens. He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and has received honorary doctorates from General Theological Seminary, Seton Hall University, and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
Member International Society Liturgical Studies, Religion in American Life (board directors, vice president), Appeal of Conscience Foundation (board directors), American Bible Society (board directors).