His Excellency Msgr. Nerses Michael Setian past away Sunday September 8 at 8:30 p.m. after receiving the holy sacrament of the sick. The Most Reverend Nerses M. Setian was born in October 1918 in the town of Zara Sebastia and was the third child in a family of six brothers and two sisters. He entered the Levonian Armenian Pontifical Seminary at seventeen then studied philosophy theology and canon law at the Gregorian University of Rome where he received a degree in theology and his Ph.D. in Canon Law. Reverend Setian was ordained to the priesthood on April 13 1941. In 1946 Reverend Setian became the pastor of the Cathedral Parish of Istanbul where he was also in charge of Archdiocese Archives and served on the Diocesan Church Tribunal. His thorough knowledge of Armenian history and literature enabled him to teach in Colleges throughout the world. He also taught philosophy and experimental psychology to several generations of young Armenians in Istanbul. Rev. Setian succeeded in instilling in them the love of God and a proud awareness of their national identity and cultural heritage. His Eminence Gregory Peter XV Cardinal Aghagianian aware of Rev. Setian s multifaceted capabilities called on him in 1960 to serve as the Rector of the Armenian Levonian Pontifical Seminary in Rome. He was still in this post when nominated for Apostolic Exarch to Armenians in the United States and Canada.. Bishop Setian has published many magazine articles edited and compiled the letters of Cardinal Agagianian published the Soorp Hagop (St. James) monthly in Istanbul and Romglah quarterly in Rome. In 1959 he released the Memoir of Levonian College. A Handbook of Armenian Patrology the result of many years of research. On July 17 1981 Reverend Setian was appointed Apostolic Exarch for the Armenian of the United States and Canada. After 14 years of services to the Armenian Catholic community of America the most Reverend Nerses Setian moved to Los Angeles and continued his apostolate preaching and lecturing. The Most Reverend Setian has participated in many international Religious conferences in Italy Germany India Australia and America. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday September 18 2002 at St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church of Glendale.