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Fr. Zenob Nalbandian marks quarter century of priesthood

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  • Fr. Zenob Nalbandian marks quarter century of priesthood

    PRESS OFFICE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
    Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurch.net

    October 16, 2006
    ___________________

    RANK OF ARCHPRIEST BESTOWED UPON FR. NALBANDIAN ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY

    By Florence Avakian

    It was a time to honor service and self-reflection on past actions when Fr.
    Zenob Nalbandian marked the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination on
    Friday, September 29, 2006.

    "The priest takes this opportunity to renew his oath, commitment and service
    to his church; recognize his achievements; and continue laboring in the
    field of our Lord," Fr. Zenob said as he spoke to the roughly 100 people
    attending the celebratory banquet. "Over the past centuries, the Armenian
    Church has suffered a lot; and the Armenian people have gone through many
    trials and tribulations. Both the clergy and the laity must maintain intact
    all the values that have been passed on to them by their ancestors."

    During the banquet, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
    the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presented Fr. Nalbandian with a
    pontifical encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
    Catholicos of All Armenians, in which the Catholicos bestowed upon Fr.
    Nalbandian the rank of Avak Kahanah (Archpriest).

    Fr. Nalbandian has most recently been serving the needs of Diocesan mission
    parishes such as the Armenian Church of Jacksonville, FL; the St. Garabed
    Church of Kansas City, MI; and the Armenian Church of Nashville, TN. The
    celebratory dinner was held in Andover, NH, a region Fr. Nalbandian had
    served as pastor to the Armenians of today's Armenian Church of Hye Pointe
    community.

    "Der Hayr has loyally and diligently rendered spiritual service to various
    parishes throughout the Diocese," said the Primate in his remarks. "Besides
    his spiritual mission, Fr. Zenob has also made time to write. He is the
    author of many useful essays and articles of a religious and national
    nature."

    Emphasizing the rare qualities and talents of Fr. Nalbandian, the Primate
    noted that he has been "an intellectual with a broad mind and various
    interests," pointing out that he and his family -- Yn. Hasmig and their
    children Dr. Angele, Raffi, and Sossi -- have been very active in parish
    life, including service to the Women's Guild, the Armenian and Sunday
    Schools, the ACYOA, and the choir as organists.

    Several speakers paid tribute to the dedicated service of Fr. Nalbandian
    including the Fr. Krikor Maksoudian; Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, pastor of the
    Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, CT; Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
    pastor of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, CT, and Fr. Zenob's
    brother; and Krikor Keusseyan, former editor of Baikar.

    The audience responded with delight as Fr. Nalbandian sang two beloved
    favorites, "Havig Mee Baydzar," and "Yerkeer Ankin Yerkeer," accompanied on
    the organ by Dr. Angele Nalbandian.

    LIFE OF SERVICE

    Fr. Nalbandian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on November 30, 1952, and
    received his education at the Mesrobian Armenian School in Beirut, and the
    Kevorkian Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well at Syracuse University, the
    University of Milwaukee, and the St. Francis Seminary of Wisconsin.

    Ordained at the St. Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, on September 17, 1978, by
    Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, he continued his clerical service at the Church
    of the Holy Resurrection in South Milwaukee, WI. In 1985, he was appointed
    as pastor of the Holy Cross Church of Lawrence, MA, before serving the
    mission parishes.

    -- 10/16/06

    E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
    Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.net.

    PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, joins Fr. Zenob
    Nalbandian and his family during the celebrations marking his 25 years of
    priestly service on September 29, 2006.

    PHOTO CAPTION (2): Accompanied by Dr. Angele Nalbandian, Fr. Zenob
    Nalbandian sings during the banquet marking the 25th anniversary of his
    priestly ordination.

    # # #
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