Hovnan Derderian
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (born December 1, 1957) is the youngest Armenia
n clergyman to have been elevated to the rank of Archbishop
. Born in Beirut
, Derderian studied at the Antelias Seminary and the Seminary of the Holy See in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. Upon his graduation in 1980 he was ordained a celibate priest by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
Following his orientation Derderian attended St Stephen's House, Oxford
in England
, where in 1983 he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Theology. After a year lecturing at the Seminary in Etchmiadzin, Derderien was appointed pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto, Canada, where he served for six years. In appreciation for his services he was honored with an Encyclical by His Holiness Vazken I in 1986.
In 1987 Derderien received his Master's Degree in Theology from Oxford University, and was rasied to the rank of "Dzairakuyn Vartabed." In 1990 he was elected Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church on Canada, and later the same year, was ordained as a Bishop
by His Holiness Vazken I in the Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin. On February 18, 1993 he was made an Archbishop
, and was reelected as Primate of Canada in 1995 and again in 2000. During his tenure in Canada, he initiated many important missions in support of the newly independent Republic of Armenia, including the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia
(CYMA), which he founded in 1992 in cooperation with a group of young volunteers within the community led by university student Ronald Alepian
.
On May 3, 2003 Derderian was elected Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n clergyman to have been elevated to the rank of Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
. Born in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Derderian studied at the Antelias Seminary and the Seminary of the Holy See in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. Upon his graduation in 1980 he was ordained a celibate priest by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
Following his orientation Derderian attended St Stephen's House, Oxford
St Stephen's House, Oxford
St Stephen’s House, Oxford , is an Anglican theological college and one of six religious Permanent Private Halls of the University of Oxford, England...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where in 1983 he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Theology. After a year lecturing at the Seminary in Etchmiadzin, Derderien was appointed pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto, Canada, where he served for six years. In appreciation for his services he was honored with an Encyclical by His Holiness Vazken I in 1986.
In 1987 Derderien received his Master's Degree in Theology from Oxford University, and was rasied to the rank of "Dzairakuyn Vartabed." In 1990 he was elected Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church on Canada, and later the same year, was ordained as a Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
by His Holiness Vazken I in the Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin. On February 18, 1993 he was made an Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
, and was reelected as Primate of Canada in 1995 and again in 2000. During his tenure in Canada, he initiated many important missions in support of the newly independent Republic of Armenia, including the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia
Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia
CYMA - Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia - is a volunteer run humanitarian and student exchange program in support of the Republic of Armenia created by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Ronald Alepian.- Program Description :...
(CYMA), which he founded in 1992 in cooperation with a group of young volunteers within the community led by university student Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian is Vice President and Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the TMX Group, which owns Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Natural Gas Exchange , Montreal Exchange, Boston Options Exchange , among others...
.
On May 3, 2003 Derderian was elected Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.