Vartan Kechichian
Archbishop Vartan Kechichian, C.A.M. was a Syrian-born Armenian Catholic hierarch. He served as a Titular Archbishop of Mardin for Armenians and Coadjutor Ordinary of Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe from 17 February 2001 until his retirement on 2 April 2005.Life
Archbishop Kechichian was born in the Armenian family in diaspora, in Syria. After the school graduation, he subsequently joined the Order of the Mechitarists in Venice, where he made a solemn profession in August 15, 1956. He was ordained as priest on September 8, 1959, after studies in the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy with a licentiate in philosophy and theology.
After his ordination to priesthood, he served in the different Mechitarists institutions in Italy, Lebanon, France, Argentina and Syria and in the same time made a pastoral work for the Armenian Catholics. Also from 1997 until 2000 he served as an Abbot Primate of Mekhitarists.
On February 17, 2001 Vardapet Kechichian was nominated by Pope John Paul II and on May 13, 2001 consecrated to the Episcopate as a Coadjutor Ordinary. The principal consecrator was Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, the Head of the Armenian Catholic Church.
Archbishop Kechichian retired from office, because of reaching of the age limit. He died on November 22, 2017 in age 84.
