H.E. Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan

H.E. Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan (baptismal name: Gevorg) is a prominent representative of the Hierarchical See of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a theologian, and a benefactor. Through his many years of service, he has made an invaluable contribution to the spiritual and cultural revival of the Dioceses of Syunik and Vayots Dzor, as well as to the development of his native village, Rind.

Early Life and Education
He was born on November 27, 1961, in the village of Rind, Yeghegnadzor region, in the family of Mkrtich Mkrtchyan. He descends from one of the ancestral lineages of Rind, which will be covered in a separate article. His paternal home still stands in his native village.

He received his primary education at the secondary school of Rind (1968-1978). His studious spirit and spiritual calling led him to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where he studied at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary from 1982 to 1986. He graduated with honors, defending his thesis on “The See of Syunik during the Reign of the Orbelyans,” which already demonstrated his scholarly interests. To further his knowledge, he studied at the Faculty of Philology of Yerevan State University from 1989 to 1992.

Spiritual Service and Ecclesiastical Degrees
Archbishop Abraham’s spiritual journey has been rapid and prolific:

• 1986: Ordained a deacon by H.E. Archbishop Husik Santuryan.
• 1987: Ordained a celibate priest by H.E. Archbishop Nerses Pozapalyan.
• 1989: Received the four degrees of the Doctorate of Theology (Vardapet) by Bishop Anania Arabajyan.
• 1996: Consecrated as a Bishop by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
• 2013: Elevated to the rank of Archbishop by the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Mission as Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan has played a major role in church building and the restoration of spiritual life in southern Armenia.

1993-2010: Served as the Primate of the reorganized Diocese of Syunik. During these years, numerous churches were reopened, and Sunday schools and youth unions were established under his leadership.

Since December 10, 2010: He has been serving as the Primate of the Diocese of Vayots Dzor.

Scholarly and Pedagogical Activities
Alongside his spiritual service, the Archbishop has been active in academic and teaching fields. He lectured at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary and served as the secretary and later director of the “Etchmiadzin” official monthly magazine. He is the author of several theological and historical works, including:

• “Introduction to Christian Education”
• “Commentaries on the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ according to Grigor Tatevatsi” (Doctoral thesis)
• “Pages from the History of the See of Syunik”
• “The Metropolitan See of Syunik” (PhD dissertation, 2006)

Contribution to the Development of Rind and the Community
The native village of Rind has always been at the heart of Archbishop Abraham’s activities. His initiatives have directly transformed the socio-economic and cultural landscape of the village.

Construction of the Rind Irrigation Pipeline (1997)

One of the most significant achievements was the establishment of the irrigation network for Rind. In 1997, utilizing his personal connections and influence, he initiated the transport of irrigation water via pipelines from the gorge of Noravank, near the Chapel of Saint Phocas, to Rind. Thanks to this strategic project, once dry and uncultivated lands turned into green fields, laying the foundation for rapid agricultural growth. At the Archbishop’s invitation, the late Catholicos Karekin I attended the grand opening, marking a historic event for the village.

Educational Support

Staying true to the principle of “Science and Faith,” the Archbishop greatly supports the education of the region’s youth. Under his patronage, training and language courses are held in Yeghegnadzor, with renowned professors from leading universities in Yerevan invited to teach. He also provided free transportation to ensure the safe travel of children from villages to these educational centers.

Support for Artsakh

Archbishop Abraham has consistently stood by Artsakh and its people. During the Artsakh wars and the subsequent displacements, he provided active support to affected families. Through his immediate efforts, many displaced families were provided with shelter, food, and necessary supplies, receiving both spiritual and material support.