rev. fr. Torkom Chorbajian

Rev.  Fr. Torkom Chorbajian (baptismal name Murad), was born in Aleppo in  1990 and baptized at the St. Krikor the Illuminator Church in Aleppo. He  grew up in Aleppo serving the church at an early age as an altar  boy, acolyte, and choir member. He was admitted to the Theological  Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia where he enrolled in  and completed the seven-year program studying Church History, Old and  New Testaments, Liturgy, Pastoral Theology, and Church Music. During this  time he also completed graduate courses in Biblical and pastoral studies  at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. Following his graduation  from the Theological Seminary in 2013 he married Shogher  Proudian and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Nareg  Alemezian at St. Asdvadzadzin Church of Nor Adana, Lebanon, and named  Torkom.

Soon  thereafter Der Hayr and Yeretzgin were called to serve in the United  States at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Granite City, Illinois,  where they raised their family amongst the small but strong and vibrant  community. In 2018, he received the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies  degree (M.A.P.S.) from Aquinas Institute of Theology.