On Jan. 8, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians conducted the Requiem Mass in memory of renowned architect Jim Torosyan at Saint Hovhannes Mkrtich Armenian Church in Yerevan.

In the end, the Supreme Patriarch addressed the mourning family and the gathered.

“We were deeply saddened by the news about the death of a worthy devotee of the Holy Church, honored architect, academician, Mr. Jim Torosyan.

…The late Jim Torosyan is known in Armenia and abroad as a true intellectual and talented architect. The buildings, complexes and monuments that he designed decorate Yerevan, different cities across the country and are the symbol of the architect’s patriotism.

We are not experts in architecture and are not the ones to give an evaluation of the art of the gifted architect, but today, as we bid him our last farewells, we would like to transmit our feelings and impressions connected to him. During our meetings, we have always seen him as a reasonable person who is honest and decent and who was always friendly and respected. He loved life, was optimistic and always had new ideas. The late Jim Torosyan always created and worked on his projects with a perception of national values.  By combining the modern and the national and with high mastery, he always aspired to make his works perfect, creating wonderful Armenian architectural monuments of the new times. The delicate, decorative sculptures that inspire and convey spirit are the special works of the late architect. Jim Torosyan was also gifted and known for the design of Armenian churches, including the entrance and open-air altar of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Saint Vardan-Saint Hovhannes Mkrtich Cathedral-baptism hall, the new building of the Gevorgyan Spiritual Lyceum, the Holy Archangels Church and the memorial for the martyrs during the years of Stalin’s dictatorship.

Torosyan has also been a successful educator for decades, and this is praiseworthy. He has educated new generations of architects who will continue to create for their homeland with the traditions of the late Jim Torosyan.

Jim Torosyan has received several awards for his great merit and contributions. The renowned architect has been granted the Saint Sahak-Saint Mesrop High Medal of Honor of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church as a token of appreciation for his praiseworthy contribution as chairman of the architectural council of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and for his notable services to Armenian culture and architecture.

At this moment of painful loss, we cordially pray to God for the peace and tranquility of the distinguished Armenian and ask the Lord to receive the eternal soul of the beloved Jim Torosyan in the heavens above. May the consoling Holy Spirit console the family, friends and relatives of Jim Torosyan.

Incense, prayers and blessings for the brilliant memory of the late Jim Torosyan,” said Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

Information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin