The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is pleased to announce the hiring of an interim director for the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, the Diocese’s research and information facility, housed in the St. Vartan Cathedral complex in New York City.
Jesse Arlen has accepted the position on a part-time basis, which went into effect February 22, 2021. Mr. Arlen is currently completing his Ph.D. at UCLA in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, with a focus in Armenian studies. He is the author of numerous publications and papers, and has been a speaker at many academic workshops, panel discussions, and interviews, including events sponsored by the Diocese through the Zohrab Center.
“Jesse is a very promising scholar in the field of Armenian theology and early Christian studies,” said Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel. “He brings to the Zohrab Center not only strong scholarly and teaching credentials, but also sincere dedication to the Armenian Church and its vital Christian witness and ministry.” The Primate expressed thanks to the former Zohrab Center director, Dr. Christopher Sheklian, for helping to identify Mr. Arlen for the position.
Honoring the Zohrab Legacy
“I am both humbled and enthusiastic about my appointment as Interim Director of the Zohrab Center,” said Mr. Arlen. “Bishop Daniel has played an influential and formative role not just in my intellectual life and academic career—including when I was his student at Notre Dame—but also in mine and my wife’s entry into the Armenian Church and the deepening of our faith in Christ.”
He added: “I look forward to the start of this next chapter, playing my part to help realize his episcopal vision and working alongside a staff filled with such wonderful people.”
Mr. Arlen is a recent recipient of the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship, which has supported his doctoral studies at UCLA. “This makes me all the more eager for the opportunity to yield a good return on that investment and honor the legacy of Krikor and Clara Zohrab, and Dolores Zohrab Liebmann, by promoting Armenian language, literature, and culture in my new position.”
While keeping in close contact with Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel and the Diocesan administration, Mr. Arlen will work remotely for the coming months. He can be contacted via e-mail at JArlen@armeniandiocese.org.
Follow the activities of the Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center on its website, www.zohrabcenter.org, and its Facebook page.