Prayers for the Health of Patriarch Torkom Manoogian

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NEW YORK — Staff members and clergy gathered in St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Wednesday, January 25, for a brief service, to pray for the health and recovery of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Manoogian, the former Primate of the Eastern Diocese, was admitted on January 19 to a hospital in Jerusalem, where he is resting comfortably but has been drifting in and out of consciousness.

Manoogian will turn 93 next month.

In a quiet reflection at the service, Diocesan Primate Archbishop K

hajag Barsamian spoke of the patriarch as a great spiritual leader of the Armenian Church, and a figure of enduring stature in the worldwide community of Christian churches.

He said that the well-being of the patriarch has a special importance to Armenians in America, where he is respected and loved as the Primate who led the Eastern Diocese for 24 years. Many current members of the Diocesan staff worked with him during that time, and hold Manoogian especially close to their hearts.

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Barsamian led the noontime prayer service, alongside other participating clergy: Fr. Sooren Chinchian, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Fr. Mardiros Chevian and Fr. Tateos Abdalian.

Diocesan staff members and several friends of the Diocese from the surrounding neighborhood in midtown Manhattan offered prayers for the patriarch.

Manoogian was originally admitted to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center two weeks ago, but was released after two days. He became critically ill and was re-admitted on January 19 and has been under observation by the medical staff for pneumonia. Members of the Jerusalem brotherhood, as well as family members, have been by the patriarch’s side throughout his hospitalization.

Barsamian is asking all pastors and parishioners to keep Manoogian in their thoughts and to pray for his health and recovery.

 

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