Stefano P. Israelian
Stafano P. Israelian (February 15, 1866 - June 1915) was an Armenian Catholic bishop. He was the final bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Kharput.
Life and Martyrdom
Israelian was born in Mush, Ottoman Empire, on February 15, 1866. He was educated at the Pontifical Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome and ordained a priest in Constantinople on November 1, 1890.[1][2]
On February 6, 1899, Israelian was appointed to succeed Avedis Arpiarian as bishop of Kharput, and he was ordained on May 14. He served as bishop for 16 years.[2] In June 1915, during the Armenian Genocide, Israelian was killed by firing squad during a death march.[3] According to Carl Wandel, Denmark's minister in Turkey, Israelian and all the other Armenian clergy of Kharput were killed between Tigranakert and Urfa.[4] As all the Armenian Catholics of Kharput were either killed or fled the area,[5] Israelian was never replaced as bishop.[2]
Legacy
While not individually canonized as a saint, Israelian and his fellow victims of persecution are commemorated by both the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church on Armenian Martyrs' Day, April 24.[6]
References
- Back to citation Annuario Pontificio (1900). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. p. 285.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 Back to citation occurrence 2.2 "Bishop Stefano P. Israelian [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org.
- Back to citation Pascual C. Ohanian, Turquia, Estado Genocida (1915-1923). Tomo I: Documentos, 1986, p. 589.
- Back to citation Fisk, Robert (May 19, 2006). "You're talking nonsense, Mr Ambassador". The Independent.
- Back to citation Kévorkian, Raymond (2011). The Armenian Genocide: A Complete History. New York & London: I. B. Tauris. p. 276. ISBN 978-1-84885-561-8.
- Back to citation "Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide". The Armenian Church, Eastern Diocese of America. Retrieved 28 October 2023.