Thursday, December 04, 2003

Press Release
For Immediate Use - Catholicosate of Cilicia
Media Relations Office
Tel: (+961- 4) 410001, 410003
Fax: (+961- 4) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm#151

The Passing of Archbishop Mesrob Ashdjian


Antelias, Lebanon His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, members of the Brotherhood of Cilicia, announce with deepest sadness the passing of Archbishop Mesrob Ashdjian, on Tuesday, December 2, 2003, in New York City. His Eminence was 62 years old.

Archbishop Ashdjian faithfully served the Armenian Church for half a century with extraordinary dedication. He served as the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy for twenty years, from 1978 to 1998. Since 1998 he has continued his service to the Armenian Church and nation, marked especially by the remarkable work he accomplished in Armenia.

The Wake Service will take place Friday evening, December 5, 8 p.m., at St. Illuminator's Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. The service of Final Unction will take place during the Divine Liturgy service at St. Illuminator's Cathedral on Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. The service will be officiated by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Armenian Prelate of Eastern Prelacy of North America.

The final journey of Archbishop Mesrob will be to Antelias, Lebanon, where he will be buried on Monday, December 8, 2003, in the Mausoleum of the Holy See of Cilicia.


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I don’t know if I should be shocked by this news since I know when I was investigating him and his ties with Vahram Barseghyan (the current Controller for President Kocharian), back in 1999, he became quite ill with heart problems (I don’t think they were caused by me since this heart doctor who is an old family friend was visiting him around the same time I deposed him) and stepped down from his executive secretary for the 1700th anniversary of Christianity position. He never seemed to be the same after that.

May he finally rest in peace and know that I never thought that he knowingly or intentionally helped corrupt people in Armenia become more corrupt, wealthier and more powerful.

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