On Friday, December 2^nd, 2022, the 172^nd session of the Diocesan National Representatives Assembly of the prelacy of Peria (Syria) concluded with the election of H.G. Bishop Magar Ashekian as their Prelate.

At the request of the prelacy, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I had provided them with a three-name list of candidates. Following reading the pontifical letter, the election was held with secret ballot and Bishop Magar was elected.     

After the results were communicated to the Catholicos, His Holiness ratified the election with an official letter sent to the Diocesan National Representative Assembly on December 3^rd, where he congratulated the prelacy for the election and wished them success in their mission.

Biography of Bishop Magar

His Grace Bishop Magar Ashkarian was born with the given name Yesayi in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 21^st, 1972. He received his primary and secondary education in Haratch – Kalousd Gulbenkian school in Ainjar, and graduated from Shamlian-Tatikian school in Bourdj Hamoud. He entered the Armenian Theological Seminary in 1999 and after completing his education in May 20^th, 2001, he was ordained as a celibate priest by H.E. Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.

He has held various monastic and diocesan positions: supervisor and lecturer at the Seminary, head chorister and grand sacristan at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, director of the Christian Education Department at the Catholicosate and dean of the Sunday schools. Bishop Magar has also served as patriarchal vicar for the Armenian Prelacy in Tehran and pastor in the Armenia Prelacy in Greece.