On Friday, April 9th, 2021, following Evening Service, candidates for the rank of Supreme Archimandrite defended their thesis in the presence of His Holiness Aram I, as well as the Cilician Brotherhood.

Very Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan presented “Archbishop Torkom Koushaghian, Vicar General (later Prelate) of the Armenian Prelacy of Egypt as well as Right Rev. Fr. Mampre Sirounian (later Archbishop) letters to Catholicos Sahak II, Papken I, as well other Locum Tenens. He also translated letters from the above noted Pontiffs to the then-Prelates in Egypt.” Very Rev. Fr. Ardag Arabian presented “Israel’s Trace (Race, Nation, Cultural, and Self-Identity).” Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian presented “Biblical Discourse and Orthodox Formulas.” Very Rev. Fr. Shnorhk Ashekian presented “Four Years in Gehenna (Blessed be the Memory of Martyrs Forever).” Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian presented “Greek Biblical Class Text.” Very Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Saghdejian presented “The Armenian Churches in Greece.” It’s important to note, Very Rev. Fr. Vartan Tashjian thesis was “Biblical and Religious Analysis,” and Very Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian thesis was “The Holy See of Cilicia’s Relics.” Fr. Vartan and Fr. Bedros were unable to travel to the monastery due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in their respective countries where they serve.

Following the thesis defence, Catholicos Aram I highlighted and suggested enhancements in every corresponding thesis. The Pontiff also commended the extensive work completed by the Very Reverend Fathers.

Thereafter, His Holiness Aram I granted Very Rev. Fr. Oshin Choualertanian the right to wear a pectoral cross in recognition for his ongoing work within the monastery as well as the seminary.