Jorjorian, Armen D.

Armen Jorjorian, Episcopal priest and clinical pastoral educator, was born in Chicago in 1919. After receiving degrees from Northwestern University (B.A., 1944) and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (B.D., 1946), he enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Columbia University. Jorjorian planned to teach in the field of systematic theology; however, while working on his doctoral dissertation, he accepted a position as chaplain at Riker's Island, New York. This marked the beginning of his interest in clinical pastoral education (CPE) and a profound shift in his ministry. Jorjorian was ordained an Episcopal priest in New York in 1946. From 1947 to 1955, he held the positions of Staff Chaplain at the New York Protestant Episcopal City Mission Society, Protestant Chaplain at Bellevue Hospital, and Senior Staff Chaplain and Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education at Riker's Island. He began his first clinical pastoral education program with eight students in 1953. In 1955, Jorjorian moved to Houston to design a CPE program at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. At St. Luke's (and later at Texas Children's Hospital), he held the position of Religious Director and Chaplain. He remained in Houston through the 1960s, and was an original member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education's executive committee. Jorjorian was also involved with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors as a Diplomate. He lectured and wrote extensively, and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Pastoral Care. In 1972, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary chose Jorjorian as President of the Corporation and Dean of the Seminary. He held these positions until his death on December 30, 1973.

From the description of Armen D. Jorjorian papers, 1946-2005. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122386085