JERUSALEM—Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian, the current Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was elected the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem after a two-day Conclave.
Manoogian was elected with 17 votes, while another cleric, Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, who was serving as interim Patriarch, received 15 votes
Manoogian, was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1948 and was ordained in Jerusalem in 1971.
The new patriarch will lead the small Armenian Orthodox communities in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, as well as take responsibility for parts of holy sites including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
His election must be approved by Israel and the Jordanian king.
Manoogian ascends to the throne of St James, as the Jerusalem Patriarchate is known, at one of the most crucial interludes in the chronicles of Jerusalem, the immortal, walled city that is surrounded by the treacherous moat of political machinations, tenuous security and economic uncertainty.
The new Patriarch replaces Archbishop Torkom Manoogian (no relation) who passed away in October.
Congratulations. May God help You in leasing the Armenians in Jerusalem and out.
“His election must be approved by Israel and the Jordanian king.” — Why??
Congratulations ! and good luck.
Ara Kherlopian NJ
A Holy Patriarch for the Holy Armenian Community in the Holy Lands! God bless!!
The Armenian Church and Quarters in Jerusalem is mis-managed and in a very poor condition. At this rate it would be only a matter of time before either the Muslims or Jews take over the Armenian properties (the process has already begun).
All Armenian Churches and related properties should be governed from Yerevan with an independent committee overseeing the process.
With respect
Between tow desirvings beshops,
elected one is a good indication.
Congratulations, wish you every success for the years ahead and good luck. M. M. Guzelian. Argentina
No one offered any information regarding the transparency of this election….who voted?
I understand members of the brotherhood of the Patriarchate….but at the very least, the church could have released all the names of individuals voting…I’m not interested in seeing how they voted, but it would be nice to know who voted in this election.
Very true
armenian nation around the world should keep there eyes. open the new patriarch have a very good relation with israelis ,there is a chance he might sell some properties to the jews secretly for millions of dollars and pocketing some for his own .i.m getting to a point that unfortunately it is nothing but business in the circle of clergy from the top to the bottom in todays world.otherwise we should of seen 1 united armenian apostolic church
gongratulations wish you good health success and power to run this sacred duty as a 97th patriash of Armenian appostolique church in jerusalem