A shepherd of renewal: Honouring Archbishop Papken Tcharian’s untiring commitment to mission

By Dania Ohanian, MBA, EdD        

This article is dedicated with profound gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, honoring 40 years of devoted service to the Armenian Church as a pioneering missionary, a steadfast champion of youth, and a compassionate spiritual father whose faith, humility, and servant leadership continue to enrich the Armenian Prelacy of Canada.

In an era when leadership is often measured by efficiency, outcomes, and institutional success, the true essence of pastoral leadership remains rooted in something more enduring: service, outreach, and presence. Within the Canadian Armenian community, this calling is personified by Archbishop Papken Tcharian, whose steadfast dedication to the mission of the Church has become a source of inspiration to the faithful.

Throughout his ministry, Archbishop Papken has demonstrated that the Church’s calling extends far beyond the walls of its sanctuaries. His has been the path of the missionary and pastor, going out to meet people where they are and bringing the Gospel to life through hope, compassion, and service.

A Global Journey of Missionary Witness

Archbishop Papken’s ministry has taken him across diverse communities of the Armenian diaspora. Following his early service as an educator and secretary to the late Catholicos Karekin II in Lebanon, he served from 1993 to 1996 as the first pastor in the United Arab Emirates, where he helped establish local church life and one-day Armenian language and cultural schools.

His ministry later took him to San Francisco, to Qamishli, Syria, where he served as Vicar General, and to the Prelacy of Isfahan in Iran, which he led for 12 years. Across these different settings, his pastoral principle remained constant: to meet people where they are and ensure that the ancient faith and traditions of the Armenian Church remain a living spiritual home.

The Grace of Presence

Beneath Archbishop Papken’s spiritual gravity, reverent liturgical presence, and unwavering commitment to his flock lies a deep well of pastoral empathy. As a member of the clergy, he exudes a profound devotion to the Gospel. Yet what makes his leadership deeply meaningful and compelling is the grace with which he bridges the sacred into every day.

He is a senior cleric who remains entirely approachable, a spiritual leader whose humility is perhaps his most defining vestment.

Archbishop Papken possesses an innate warmth and an extraordinary capacity for human connection. From the youngest Sunday school student to the most senior member of the community, he offers the same attention and respect. He listens not simply to respond, but to understand.

His leadership extends far beyond the altar. It is experienced in moments of celebration and sorrow, in comforting grieving families, accompanying young people, and responding to Armenians facing hardship. His episcopal ministry reflects the essence of servant leadership, bringing the enduring traditions of the Armenian Church into meaningful dialogue with the realities of contemporary life.

Healing Through Action

Central to Archbishop Papken’s ministry is the conviction that spiritual leadership cannot be separated from compassionate action. When Armenians have faced crisis and displacement, His Eminence has worked to translate the compassion of the Church into tangible assistance.

This commitment has been particularly evident in responding to Armenians displaced from Artsakh. The Artsakh Armenian Children’s Program reflects a vision of humanitarian service that brings together educational support and healing, helping displaced children confront the consequences of conflict and rebuild with dignity and hope.

For Archbishop Papken, compassion is not simply something the Church proclaims. It is something the Church must practice.

Investing in the Next Generation

Equally important is Archbishop Papken’s conviction that young people are not merely the future of the Church. They are a vital part of its present.

Guided by the vision of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to bring youth from the periphery to the center of Church life, Archbishop Papken has supported initiatives that provide young Armenians with meaningful opportunities for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and participation.

Through initiatives such as the Youth Spotlight, Youth Mentorship Program, North American Armenian youth gatherings, and his personal engagement with students and young adults, he has helped create spaces where younger generations can explore contemporary questions while remaining rooted in their ancestral Christian faith.

His approach recognizes a fundamental truth: young people remain connected to the Church not merely by being told that they belong, but by being welcomed, heard, trusted, and invited to serve.

Faith, Education, and Renewal

Since arriving as Prelate of Canada in 2016, Archbishop Papken has placed spiritual and educational renewal at the heart of his ministry. He has championed initiatives including Armenian Theological Studies courses in partnership with Tyndale University, reflecting his conviction that knowledge of the faith must ultimately lead to worship, service, and Christian witness.

His scholarship also connects faith with historical memory. His work, The Great Loss of the Armenian Clergy during the Armenian Genocide, bears witness to the sacrifices of Armenian clergy and to the responsibility of succeeding generations to preserve their memory.

For Archbishop Papken, education is ultimately a bridge: between faith and service, memory and identity, and the inheritance of previous generations and the responsibilities of those yet to come.

A Shepherd of Renewal

Those who serve alongside Archbishop Papken know that he approaches Church leadership as a collaborative ministry. He readily acknowledges the contributions of clergy, parish councils, choirs, volunteers, benefactors, and the faithful, recognizing that the strength of the Church resides in its people and in their willingness to place their gifts at the service of God and one another.

Serving alongside His Eminence for nearly ten years at the Prelacy, I have been continually moved by his tireless work ethic, but even more profoundly by his heart.

Whether addressing complex administrative matters or responding to an urgent humanitarian need, Archbishop Papken consistently brings the conversation back to one essential question: How can we best serve, comfort, and uplift the people entrusted to our care? That question, perhaps more than any list of accomplishments, reveals the heart of his ministry.

To witness Archbishop Papken lead is to witness a remarkable harmony of faith, intellect, humility, and human kindness. He carries the dignity and wisdom of a spiritual father while retaining the warmth and accessibility of a trusted friend. His leadership reminds us that Christian ministry is ultimately not about position, but presence; not about authority alone, but service; not simply about preserving institutions, but nurturing souls.

The Canadian Armenian community is profoundly blessed by his pastoral leadership. After more than 40 years of service to the Armenian Church, Archbishop Papken Tcharian continues to embody the vocation that has defined his journey: a shepherd among his people, a servant of the Gospel, and a tireless missionary of hope.