With great sorrow, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America learned of the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, the longtime Primate of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, who entered into his eternal rest on September 22, in Sydney, Australia. He was 66.

Archbishop Aghan was greatly beloved by the people he served. He was a leader in the international ecumenical movement, and was highly admired as a prominent figure in his country’s religious life. Click here for biographical background on Archbishop Aghan.

In a directive issued earlier this week, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian requested that parishes of the Eastern Diocese remember Archbishop Aghan Baliozian through a hokehankisd service on Sunday, September 30.