Frank Pallone Jr.: “it is for me a great honor to welcome Archbishop Barsamian, primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of…”

“it is for me a great honor to welcome Archbishop Barsamian, primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, to offer the opening prayer today. As primate of the largest Armenian Church diocese in the Armenian diaspora, the archbishop has been for many years one of the great leaders of the Armenian community in the United States and throughout the world. He has helped to bring together Armenian religious communities from all over the world and assisted in the organization of new parishes. Through his work with a variety of ecumenical organizations, he has become a spiritual leader known and admired by people of all faiths. His Eminence was born on July 4, 1951, in Arapkir, Turkey. At the age of 13 he began his religious studies in Istanbul, and was later sent to Jerusalem to study at the Seminary of St. James Armenian Patriarchate. Since his ordination in 1971, he has continued his religious studies in Europe and the United States. He has also taught, lectured, and conducted extensive research at St. John's and New York Universities, as well as at universities and institutions in Italy, England, Germany, Armenia, and Israel. The archbishop has also participated in symposia and seminars in many countries, and has published articles in educational bulletins and scholarly journals. He is currently a member of the International Society of Liturgical Studies and a member of the teaching faculty at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY.”