is Holiness Karekin II Nersissian, baptized Ktrij, was born in 1951 in the village of Voskehat of the Echmiadzin region of Armenia.

In 1965 he entered the Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and successfully graduated from the Seminary in 1971. A year after graduating, he worked as a teacher in the Seminary and taught "New Testament" studies.

In 1970 he was ordained deacon and in 1972 he was ordained a celiabte priest. Afterwards upon the order of His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of blessed memory, he left for Vienna to improve his knowledge in the Theology.

In 1975 upon the order of His Holiness Vazken I, he left for Germany to serve as spiritual pastor and continue his education in Theology at the University of Bonn.

In 1979 he returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and afterwards left for Zagorsk to study in the postgraduate department of the Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In March 1980 His Holiness Vazken I appointed him assistant to the Vicar General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese. In June 1983, by the Pontifical Decree of the Catholicos he was appointed the Vicar General of Araratian Pontifical Diocese.

On October 23, 1983, he was ordained a bishop in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. In November 1992, he was granted the rank of Archbishop.

On November 30, 1998, upon the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of blessed memory, His Eminence Arcbishop Karekin Nersissian was appointed the Vicar General of the Catholicos and served as the Vicar General till July 4, 1999.

On october 27, 1999 in the Holy See of Echmiadzin, delegates of the National Synod elected Primate of the Ararat (Patriarchal) Diocese of the Armenia Apostolic Church, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian to become the 132nd Catholicos of All Armenians.
 

Biography from the Etchmiadzin web site
Web site: www.etchmiadzin.com