ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
JANUARY 3–1941–DECEMBER 2–2003
Burial services were held in Antelias on December 8 for Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian–who faithfully served the Holy See of Cilicia for half a century–including twenty years as the Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States and Canada. His Eminence was 62 years old.
The service of the Extreme Unction for His Holiness Ashjian took place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City on December 7. Officiating was the current Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America–His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan–who was joined by Canada’s Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian–and the Diocesan Primate Khajag Barsamian–as well as Armenian clergy from throughout the United States.
Archbishop Mesrob’s body was accompanied the next day by Prelate Choloyan to Antelias–Lebanon–where he was buried on Monday–December 8–in the Mausoleum of the Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I of the Holy Catholicosate of Cilicia officiated.
The Archbishop’s immediate survivors include brother Hovhaness Ashjian–of Beirut–Lebanon; sister Hripsime–her husband Mesrob Seropian–of New York; nephew Hrair Seropian of New York; niece Liza and her husband Bedros Yessaian of New York; and brother–Hagop who predeceased him.
The "Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Fund for Publications" has been established at the Eastern Prelacy in his memory and in tribute to his life-long devotion to the written word. Donations to this fund may be made payable to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America–138 E. 39th Street–New York–NY 10016.