About Levon Kardashian

Levon Kardashian: A Journey of Faith, Heritage, and Leadership

About Me

Levon KardashianMy name is Levon Kardashian. I was born in Beirut, Lebanon and am of Armenian heritage. And so, I consider myself a Lebanese-Armenian. In addition to my heritage, my unwavering faith has profoundly shaped my life. I hail from a family with a profound connection to the Armenian Genocide. As a result of the Genocide, both my grandfathers became refugees, one settling in Beirut and the other in Aleppo. My paternal grandfather met my grandmother, an orphan of the same dark period there. Their love story became the foundation of my family’s history.

My father, the eldest of four children, was born in Lebanon. He started working at an early age in a printing business and later started his own printing business, partnering with his younger brother. In the late ’60s, he began working for the German Airline in Lebanon. In 1982, he established his own printing business again, a legacy I eventually took over. My mother, one of five siblings, was born in Aleppo, Syria, to maternal grandparents who were also refugees from Western Armenia. She studied nursing and worked as a nurse until she got married.

Faith and Education

I was baptised in the Armenian Evangelical Church in Ashrafieh, Beirut, and received my early education at the Armenian Evangelical Central High School. After high school, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a parallel study in Computer Sciences (IT). Recognising the importance of business acumen, I also delved into Business Administration.

My professional journey led me into the printing industry, where I honed my printing and graphic design skills. Over the years, I have been able to craft numerous corporate identities, websites, and publications. Typography and calligraphy have also become passions of mine.

Ministry and Leadership

My path took an unexpected turn when I embraced theology and earned my Master of Divinity (M.Div) from the Near East School of Theology. This academic pursuit eventually led me to Australia, where I delved into cross-cultural leadership and earned a Bachelor of Theology Honours (B.Th) from Charles Sturt University.

In the realm of ministry, after some years in different roles within Presbytery and other church organisations, I finally transitioned into congregational ministry. As a result, my understanding of diverse congregations and their unique spiritual journeys has been enriched. After a long journey of formation, The Uniting Church in Australia ordained me as a Minister of the Word.

Diverse Passions and Ministry Initiatives

Currently, I find solace in bookbinding and woodworking, trades passed down from my father and grandfather. These serve as stress relief and a connection to my heritage.

As the former Multicultural Project Officer and now in congregational ministry, I’ve been privileged to serve communities from various backgrounds. Additionally, I prepare and deliver workshops on domestic abuse awareness as part of the Joint Churches Domestic Violence Prevention Project (JCDVPP), a commission of Queensland Churches Together (QCT). These initiatives exemplify my commitment to promoting understanding and harmony among diverse communities.

Levon’s Works

Books:

Thank you for joining me on this faith, heritage, and leadership journey. I invite you to explore my blog and learn more about the diverse facets of my life and work.

In faith, creativity, and service,
Levon Kardashian