ARCHBISHOP DATEV SARKISSIAN (1941–2026)

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and the Religious and Executive Councils of the Prelacy have learned with deep sorrow of the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Datev Sarkissian, the eldest member of the brotherhood of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, on Thursday, February 19, at Holy Etchmiadzin, following a prolonged illness. 

Archbishop Datev Sarkissian was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1941. His baptismal name was Khajag. He received his early education at Aleppo’s Haygazian School of Aleppo and was admitted to the Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the 1953–1954 academic year. He was ordained a deacon on May 26, 1957, and on June 29, 1960, he was ordained to the celibate priesthood, receiving the name of Datev. 

Following his ordination, he served at the Seminary as a supervisor and instructor, teaching Armenian studies and religious subjects. In 1962, Catholicos Zareh I conferred upon him the rank of archmandrite (vartabed) after presenting a thesis entitled “The Ecclesiology and Theology of Krikor Datevatsi,” and then pursued higher studies in London at King’s College. Returning in 1965, he became the Seminary’s director. 

In 1968, he was elected Locum Tenens of the Aleppo Prelacy, followed by his election as Prelate in 1969. He received the rank of Supreme Archimandrite (Dzayrakooyn Vartabed) in 1972, and Catholicos Khoren I ordained him a bishop in 1974. From 1977 to 1985 he served again as Director of the Seminary, during which time the Seminary was transferred to Bikfaya and renamed the Zarehian Seminary. In 1980, Karekin II, then Coadjutor Catholicos, conferred upon him the honor and title of archbishop. 

In 1985, Archbishop Datev was elected Prelate of the Western Prelacy of North America. After ten years of service, he resigned in 1995 and moved to Armenia, where he continued his ministry through teaching at the Gevorgian Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin and offering his support in the life and work of the Mother See of All Armenians. 

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent, February 22, a memorial service was offered for Archbishop Datev at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Mother Cathedral of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias. Memorial services were also offered at the Eastern Prelacy churches. The final anointing was conducted on Tuesday, February 24, at St. Gayane Monastery in Etchmiadzin, following which Archbishop Datev was laid to rest in the monastic cemetery of Holy Etchmiadzin. Representing His Holiness Aram I and the Cilician Brotherhood, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and His Eminence Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian took part in the funeral and Final Anointing services. 

May God grant him eternal rest.