Tbrevankian Karozner (Levon Tourian, 1929)
Name/Title
Tbrevankian Karozner (Levon Tourian, 1929)Description
The Tbrevankian Sermons, originally published in Paris in 1929, is a seminal collection of homilies by prominent Armenian clergymen who studied under Archbishop Yeghishe Tourian, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Armenian ecclesiastical and intellectual life. The work was compiled by Bishop Levon (Ghevond) Tourian, then spiritual leader of the Armenian community in Manchester, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Yeghishe Tourian’s ordination (1879–1929). The volume captures the spiritual depth and intellectual breadth of the Armenian seminaries in Armash and Jerusalem—two prominent centers for clerical education during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The clergymen featured in the collection were among the most distinguished graduates of these institutions, many of whom went on to shape the Armenian Apostolic Church, contribute to Armenian literature, and serve as community leaders. Included are sermons by such notable figures as Archbishop Mesrop Naroyan, Bishop Grigoris Balakian, Archbishop Zaven Yeghiayan, Bishop Babken Guleserian, and others, many of whom were personally influenced and spiritually mentored by Yeghishe Tourian. The sermons are arranged chronologically and reflect the distinct pedagogical and theological imprint of Tourian’s leadership and teaching. The book’s preface, written by Bishop Levon Tourian, offers a vivid personal account of Yeghishe Tourian’s profound impact as a teacher and spiritual exemplar. Tourian, who served as Patriarch of Constantinople (1909–1910) and later Patriarch of Jerusalem (1921–1930), was known for his eloquence, humility, foresight, and deep pastoral compassion. His role in revitalizing the Armash Seminary and fostering a generation of church leaders is a central theme in the preface. Bishop Tourian characterizes him as a modern saint whose intellectual and moral stature shaped not only individual lives but also the broader course of the Armenian Church in the 20th century. The Tbrevankian Sermons remains a valuable spiritual and historical resource, providing insight into the religious, national, and intellectual climate of the Armenian Church during a time of cultural revival and political turmoil. It serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Yeghishe Tourian and the seminaries that trained a generation of influential Armenian clergymen.Category
Books