Head of diocese and wise mentor: Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan celebrates his birthday today

Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, head of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is celebrating his birthday today.

For many Armenian believers, the archbishop is more than the head of a diocese: he is a spiritual shepherd, a wise teacher and a mentor.

He was born on October 30, 1959, in the village of Voskehat in the Etchmiadzin district. Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan has headed the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan of the Armenian Apostolic Church since April 2001 and also serves as Patriarchal Exarch in Russia.

Over this time, thanks to the archbishop’s efforts and hard work, the number of parishes has grown from eight to 80. Their geography is wide, stretching from Kaliningrad, where the Surb Stepanos Church opened in 2006, to Primorsky Krai, where the Surb Gevorg Church was solemnly consecrated in 2018. On October 17, 2026, in the city of Ivanovo, Archbishop Yezras personally consecrated the altar of a new Armenian church dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

In 2013, the Armenian Church Complex in Moscow opened. It serves as the residence of the Patriarchal Exarch and head of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Archbishop Yezras has received many awards, including the Order of Honor, the Russian Orthodox Church’s Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (3rd class), the Order of Friendship and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (2nd class).