His Beatitude Raphaël François Minassian the President of “Armenian Caritas” since 2011.

Raphael archbishop Minassian received the high school education in the seminary of the Patriarchal Congregation of Bzommar. In 1966, he continued his studies first at the Pontifical Levonian Armenian College and then at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he got the diploma of philosophy and theology and continued his studies at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome specializing in practical psychology. In June 24, 1973, in the capital of Lebanon Beirut, he was ordained a celibate priest.

Until 1980, Raphael archbishop Minassian was the parish priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator- St. Elijah church of Episcopal residence in Beirut. In 1978, first he was appointed as a secretary of an ecclesiastical instance of the Armenian Catholic Church in Lebanon, and later, as an ecclesiastical judge, until 1989.

In 1980 – 1984 he lectured rituals at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Beirut.

In 1983 – 1986 he was the parish priest of the St. Cross church in Zalka (Lebanon) constructed on his efforts.

In 1986-1988 he was the Patriarchal Secretary.

In 1988 – 1990 he was again appointed as a parish priest of the St. Cross church in Zalka, meanwhile, being the principal of the new built patriarchal collage.

In 1990 – 2006 he was appointed as the parish priest of California State in US.

Raphael archbishop Minassian is one of the founders of the “Armenian Alliance” beneficiary foundation which supports many humanitarian and beneficiary projects in Armenia. He initiated the construction of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Catholic Church in Glendale, the dedication of which was in 2001 in commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia.

In September 2005, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics appointed Fr. Raphael Minassian as the Eparch (Patriarch Vicar General) of the Eparchy of Jerusalem and Amman.

In 2005, he founded “Telepace Armenia” TV station in Rome.

In 2009 he established the permanent adoration of Holy Sacrament in the 4th station of the Holy Way of Cross in the Armenian Catholic Completion of Jerusalem. The sisters of St. Paul Congregation ensure its continuation.

In June 24, 2011, according to the special papal bull of Pope Benedict XVI of Rome, Fr. Raphael Archbishop Minassian received the Episcopal order as the New Appointed Tutorial Archbishop of Cappadocian Caesarea of Armenia and the Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe.

The Episcopal ordination took place in July 16, 2011 in the St. Gregory the Illuminator- St. Elijah church of Episcopal residence by the hand of His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriarch and the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the President of Congregation of Oriental Churches.

In August 7, 2011, the Enthronization of Father Raphael Archbishop Minassian took place in St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Arevik village in Shirak region.

Since 2011 he is the President of “Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO.

In September 2021, the Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church elected Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian as the 21st Catholicos-Patriarch.

The new Patriarch succeeds Gregory Peter XX Ghabroyan, who died last May, and has taken the name Raphaël Bedros [Peter] XXI Minassian. The election took place during the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Cilicia of the Armenians, convened in Rome by Pope Francis.