He was born as “Şahin Maşalı” in Bayrampaşa, Istanbul in 1962. He was given the name “Şahan” at his baptism.

He completed his basic education at Tevfik Kut Primary School, Gedikpaşa Middle School and Bakırköy High School. In 1979, he won the Istanbul Technical University Electronics and Communication Engineering Department. Deciding to become a priest, he left Istanbul Technical University (1982) and started learning Armenian at the age of 20.

During his education at the Istanbul University Faculty of Letters, Department of Philosophy (1983-1987), he was accepted as a student for spirituality by the late Patriarch Şınorhk. Simultaneously with his higher education; he continued his preparation for the priesthood with private lessons in Armenian, Ceremonial Science, Church History and Doctrines.

He took lessons from valuable teachers such as Patriarch Shnorhk Kalusdyan, Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan, Priest Shnorhk Kasbaryan, Father Shnorhk Muradyan, Siranush Feruhan, Dr. Vartan Gomikyan, Jirayr Arslanyants, Father John Whooley.

He continued by taking over the Turkish sermons organized by the High Priest (Vartabed) Mesrob Mutafyan for women every Thursday at the Bakırköy Church (1984-1988). During the same period, he also took over the sermons of the High Priest Mesrob Mutafyan at the Gedikpaşa Church on a rotating basis.

He was consecrated as a deacon (sargavak) by Patriarch Shnorhk Kalusdyan (1986).

He completed his short-term military service in Kağıthane and Tatvan (1988-1989).

From 1989 onwards, he studied theology at Allen Hall College in London, which followed the programs of the University of Leuven in Belgium, and graduated with the honor roll in 1994 with the degree of “Magna Cum Laude”. He also served the Armenian Church in London as a deacon (sargavak).

He was ordained a priest (Apegha) by Patriarch Karekin II. Kazancıyan in the summer of 1992.

He spent the period of 1994-1997 in Jerusalem to get to know the monastic life. With the support of Patriarch Torkom II Manukyan, he organized “Holy Bible Studies” for the public for 3 years, and served as a principal and religious teacher at Tarkmançats High School.

He completed his master’s studies in Spirituality at Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology, a Jesuit university in Dublin (Ireland) (1997-1999), and completed his thesis on “Faith and Healing Miracles” in 2000.

He served as a spiritual and preacher in the churches of Kınalıada, Kumkapı Dışı, Gedikpaşa and Galata in Istanbul between 1999-2005. During the same period, he became the vice president of the Spiritual Assembly. He represented our Patriarchate in meetings and conferences at home and abroad. He wrote many articles in Lraper, the church bulletin of the Patriarchal See.

He served as a lecturer, assistant dean and dean for three years at the Kevorkyan Theological Academy in Echmiadzin (Armenia) (2005-2011). He contributed to the preparation of more than 200 clergymen who are currently active in the world.

In addition to his teaching and management duties, he continued his preaching and spiritual consultancy duties for the public. He produced 72 programs called “AvedaraniUsutsum”, which were broadcasted in Armenia and the diaspora on Shoghagat TV, interpreting the Bible (2008-2010). He reached over 1.5 million clicks on social media with these successful programs.

He wrote a religious historical novel called “YerguUkhdavor” (Two Devoted People) based on the lives of famous patriarchs HovhannesGolod and KrikorShigtayagir. This novel, which has been reprinted many times, is considered the most popular and successful of SurpEchmiadzin publications.

He received the rank of High Priest (Vartabet) in 2006 and Bishop in 2008, and returned to Istanbul in 2011 to become the Inter-Church and Inter-Religious Relations Officer of the Armenian Patriarchate. In the context of ecumenical relations, he played an active role in the Joint Commission of the Churches of Turkey. This commission published the common faith of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant faiths as a book for the first time in the history of the church. He wrote this book, “Christianity with its Basic Principles”, which was also translated into English, together with the commission.

Following the death of His Holiness Patriarch Mesrob II, he was elected as the “Patriarchal District Governor” on July 4, 2019, and regularly gives sermons and serves as a religious teacher at the Sahakyan-Nunyan Armenian High School.

He speaks English fluently, as well as Turkish and Armenian. He studied Greek, Latin and Hebrew as part of his religious education.