Born in Aleppo, Syria, on January 3, 1996, with the baptismal name Sarkis, he received his elementary education at the Sahagian National School. Subsequently, he attended the Karen Jeppe Academy for one academic year. He was accepted as a student at the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, for the 2008-2009 academic year.

 

After successfully completing the preliminary four-year high school program, he was ordained sub-deacon by His Grace Bishop Norayr Ashekian on June 2, 2013. On June 1, 2014, he was ordained deacon by His Eminence Archbishop Kegham Khacherian. In June of 2016, Deacon Sarkis, having completed the entire 8-year course of study, received his diploma from the seminary.

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At the same time, he petitioned the Eastern Prelacy to be accepted as a candidate for priesthood and, upon acceptance, completed a two-year compressed course of studies in 2018. After completion, he married Patil Arabatlian on July 29, 2018, and was ordained to the priesthood on October 7, 2018, by His Grace Bishop Meghrig Parikian with the new name of Fr. Samuel.

 

From 2018 - November 2020, he served as Pastor of Holy Pentecost Church in Tripoli, Lebanon. From October 4, 2020, until his departure to the United States on November 5, 2021, Der Hayr was designated the Pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon, by His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Prelate of Lebanon.

 

On November 6, 2021, Fr. Samuel, with his Yeretsgin Patil, arrived to the United States of America and spent a period of internship at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Archpriest Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Pastor. On October 17, 2022, with the blessing of Prelate Anoushavan Tanielian, Fr. Samuel was assigned to be the Parish Priest of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in New Britain, Connecticut.

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Under the blessing and direction of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate. Also, with the support of the Religious Council and the Executive Council, on April 7th, 2024  Fr. Samuel was assigned to the parish priest of Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church in Glenview, IL.

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