On May 21, 2026, the General Assembly of the “Armenian Caritas” Benevolent Non-Governmental Organization was held online. In accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches and the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, the members of the Assembly elected Most Reverend Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian, Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe, as the new President of Armenian Caritas.

By virtue of this election, Most Reverend Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian has lawfully assumed the presidency of “Armenian Caritas” and will henceforth direct the activities of the benevolent organization alongside his responsibilities as the Armenian Catholic Ordinary.

 

ATTACHED BIOGRAPHY
Most Reverend Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian

Titular Archbishop of Sebaste of the Armenians Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe

Personal Data

  • Date and Place of Birth: Born on November 16, 1968, in Aleppo, Syria.
  • Baptismal Name: Dnkaye George Michel.

 

 

Education and Theological Formation

  • 1984 – At the age of sixteen, he moved to Lebanon to pursue his higher education at the “Assumption of the Mother of God” Monastery of the Patriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar.
  • 1987 – Relocated to Rome to continue his studies in Philosophy and Theology.
  • 1990 – Graduated from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) of the Dominican Fathers with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy.
  • 1993 – Obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of the Jesuit Fathers in Rome.
  • August 20, 1995 – Ordained to the Priesthood in Aleppo, becoming a member of the Patriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar.
  • 1997 – Received a professional certificate in Educational Sciences (Science de l’éducation) from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.

 

Ecclesiastical and Pastoral Ministry

  • 1997–1998 – Vice-Rector of the Saint Michael Seminary.
  • 1998–1999 – Assistant Pastor at the Saint Savior Church in Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon.
  • 1999–2001 – Rector and Superior of the Saint Vartanants Minor Seminary.
  • 2001–2007 – Rector and Procurator General of the Seminary of his Institute; Teacher at the High School of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
  • 2003–2007 – Procurator General of the Bzommar Institute.
  • 2007–2010 – Moved to Moscow and served as the Pastor of the local Armenian Catholic Community.
  • 2010–2015 – Served as Rector of the Pontifical Levonian Armenian College in Rome and Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Church to the Vatican.
  • 2013–2015 – Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman.
  • 2015–2023 – Appointed Pastor of the Armenian Catholic Church in Lyon, France.
  • August 18, 2023 – Elected Vicar General of the Patriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar and Superior of the Bzommar Monastery by the General Assembly of the Institute.

Engagement in Causes for Beatification and Canonization

  • Served as Vice-Postulator in the judicial commission for the proclamation of Saint Gregory of Narek as a “Doctor of the Church.”
  • Currently serves as Vice-Postulator in the judicial commission for the canonization of “Martha Chambon.”

 

Episcopal Ordinariate

On August 19, 2024, by order of His Holiness Pope Francis, Very Reverend Father Gevorg Noradounguian, member of the Patriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar, was appointed Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, and was elevated to the Titular Episcopal See of Sebaste of the Armenians with the title of Archbishop.

Additional Information

  • Qualifications: Holds two university certifications: one in the formation of vocations to consecrated life (Rome, 2012) and another as a postulator from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
  • Languages:
    • Fluent: Armenian, Arabic, Italian, and French.
    • Proficient: Russian and English.