Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, I.C.P.B.
Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia
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Church	Armenian Catholic Church
Appointed	23 September 2021
Predecessor	Gregory Peter XX Ghabroyan
Successor	Incumbent
Other posts	Patriarchal Exarch of Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman (2005–2011), Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe, Titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia for Armenians (2011–2021)
Orders
Ordination	24 June 1973 (Priest)
Consecration	16 July 2011 (Bishop) by Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni
Personal details
Birth name	Raphaël François Minassian
Born	(1946-11-24) 24 November 1946 Beirut, Lebanon
Alma mater	Pontifical Gregorian University, Salesian Pontifical University

Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, I.C.P.B. (Armenian: Ռաֆայել Պետրոս ԻԱ. Մինասյան; born 24 November 1946) is a Lebanese-born hierarch who serves as the 21st patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church. He previously served as ordinary of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe, which covers Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine, from 24 June 2011 to 23 September 2021 and as a Patriarchal Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman from 26 September 2005 to 24 June 2011.

Life

Raphaël François Minassian was born in Beirut, Lebanon on 24 November 1946. After the primary school education, he joined the Minor seminary of the Patriarchal Congregation of Bzommar in 1958, where he later made a profession. After that, he continued to study in Rome at the Pontifical Levonian Armenian College. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a licentiate in philosophy and theology, and at the Salesian Pontifical University, where he earned a degree in the practical psychology. He was ordained a priest on 24 June 1973.

He then worked in various Armenian Catholic institutions in Lebanon and in the United States and at the same time performed pastoral work for the Armenian Catholics. On 26 September 2005, he was appointed Patriarchal Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman, where he served almost six years.

On 24 June 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Minassian ordinary of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe. He received his episcopal consecration on 16 July from Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, the Head of the Armenian Catholic Church.

On 23 September 2021, he was elected as the church's 21st patriarch and took the name Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian. He was enthroned as Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics on 24 October 2021 in Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Beirut.

See also

• List of Armenian Catholic patriarchs of Cilicia

References

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Kévork Khazoumian	Patriarchal Exarch of Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman 2005–2011	Succeeded by Kricor-Okosdinos Coussa
Preceded by Manuel Batakian	Titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia for Armenians 2011–2021	Vacant
Preceded by Vahan Ohanian as Apostolic Administrator	Ordinary for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe 2011–2021	Succeeded by Mikael Bassalé as Apostolic Administrator
Preceded by Gregory Peter XX Ghabroyan	Patriarch Catholicos of Cilicia 2021–present	Succeeded by Incumbent