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PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
30 July 2008
VERY REVEREND FATHER VARDAN NAVASARDYAN RETURNS TO THE HOLY SEE
Sydney, Australia - On Monday Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan left
his position in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and returned
to the Holy See of Etchmiadzin under the Pontifical Order of His Holiness
Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Father Vardan served in the parish of Sydney for almost three years and was
embraced by the Armenian community. He has invigorated the young generation
of our community, building bridges between church and youth having
established the Bible Study Youth Group (BSYG), youth choir and theatrical
group. In July 2006, he led a youth group from Sydney on a pilgrimage to
Armenia which also focussed on ministry opportunities. He has inspired
young Australian-Armenians to value their ancestral heritage and embrace
their Christian faith.
During his tenure, Father Vardan served as Parish Priest of the Church of
Holy Resurrection and was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese by the
supreme authority of His Holiness. He engaged with the broader Armenian
Community through various events and opportunities.
There has been much speculation on the unexpected and sudden departure of
the Reverend Father and this communiqué serves to clarify the exact
circumstances of his leaving.
In early July, the Church Council of NSW eagerly initiated the process to
renew Father Vardan's contract (due to expire in September 2008) to ensure
the continuation of his tenure in our parish. An official request was made
to His Holiness Karekin II by the Primate of the Diocese, His Eminence
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian to grant the extension of Father Vardan's
ministry in Sydney and on 21 July, 2008 a letter was received from His
Holiness granting the extension.
Subsequently, on 24 July, 2008 a second letter was received from the
Catholicos of All Armenians recalling Father Vardan Navasardyan to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin based on a request made by Father Vardan
himself.
The sudden and hasty departure of the Reverend Father has surprised everyone
in the community including the Primate, Clergy, Diocesan and Church
Councillors. Understandably, this has left community members shocked and
disappointed, seeking answers and regrettably, spreading unfounded rumours.
The fact is Father Vardan chose to leave and do so in a speedy manner for
reasons that are his alone. What is rightful and left for us to do, is be
respectful of his decision.
The Reverend Father made it very clear that he wanted to leave on a happy
note reflecting on what he had achieved in the parish and certainly without
sombre memories. A testimony to this was clearly reflected in the
Appreciation Evening held on Sunday night by the BSYG. What was to be a
normal Sunday gathering of youth for bible study and fellowship and on this
particular night, an occasion for an intimate farewell, became a community
event of appreciation and support for the valuable work undertaken by Father
Vardan. The newly formed youth choir performed songs and the executive
committee members of BSYG each provided uplifting personal testimonies and
group acknowledgements of how Father Vardan had impacted their lives
bringing them closer to their Church and to God.
Before his departure to the airport on Monday morning, Father Vardan
received the blessing and farewell of the Primate wishing him well in his
future ministry.
Father Vardan was met at Sydney International Airport by the Primate's
representative Reverend Father Bartev Karakashian, Church Council
representatives, community members and a group of youth who wanted to bid
their final farewell to the Reverend Father. His final message to the youth
was to remain steadfast to their Church and ensure the beacon that has been
lit in their souls remains alight and fruitful in Church life always.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
30 July 2008
VERY REVEREND FATHER VARDAN NAVASARDYAN RETURNS TO THE HOLY SEE
Sydney, Australia - On Monday Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan left
his position in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and returned
to the Holy See of Etchmiadzin under the Pontifical Order of His Holiness
Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Father Vardan served in the parish of Sydney for almost three years and was
embraced by the Armenian community. He has invigorated the young generation
of our community, building bridges between church and youth having
established the Bible Study Youth Group (BSYG), youth choir and theatrical
group. In July 2006, he led a youth group from Sydney on a pilgrimage to
Armenia which also focussed on ministry opportunities. He has inspired
young Australian-Armenians to value their ancestral heritage and embrace
their Christian faith.
During his tenure, Father Vardan served as Parish Priest of the Church of
Holy Resurrection and was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese by the
supreme authority of His Holiness. He engaged with the broader Armenian
Community through various events and opportunities.
There has been much speculation on the unexpected and sudden departure of
the Reverend Father and this communiqué serves to clarify the exact
circumstances of his leaving.
In early July, the Church Council of NSW eagerly initiated the process to
renew Father Vardan's contract (due to expire in September 2008) to ensure
the continuation of his tenure in our parish. An official request was made
to His Holiness Karekin II by the Primate of the Diocese, His Eminence
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian to grant the extension of Father Vardan's
ministry in Sydney and on 21 July, 2008 a letter was received from His
Holiness granting the extension.
Subsequently, on 24 July, 2008 a second letter was received from the
Catholicos of All Armenians recalling Father Vardan Navasardyan to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin based on a request made by Father Vardan
himself.
The sudden and hasty departure of the Reverend Father has surprised everyone
in the community including the Primate, Clergy, Diocesan and Church
Councillors. Understandably, this has left community members shocked and
disappointed, seeking answers and regrettably, spreading unfounded rumours.
The fact is Father Vardan chose to leave and do so in a speedy manner for
reasons that are his alone. What is rightful and left for us to do, is be
respectful of his decision.
The Reverend Father made it very clear that he wanted to leave on a happy
note reflecting on what he had achieved in the parish and certainly without
sombre memories. A testimony to this was clearly reflected in the
Appreciation Evening held on Sunday night by the BSYG. What was to be a
normal Sunday gathering of youth for bible study and fellowship and on this
particular night, an occasion for an intimate farewell, became a community
event of appreciation and support for the valuable work undertaken by Father
Vardan. The newly formed youth choir performed songs and the executive
committee members of BSYG each provided uplifting personal testimonies and
group acknowledgements of how Father Vardan had impacted their lives
bringing them closer to their Church and to God.
Before his departure to the airport on Monday morning, Father Vardan
received the blessing and farewell of the Primate wishing him well in his
future ministry.
Father Vardan was met at Sydney International Airport by the Primate's
representative Reverend Father Bartev Karakashian, Church Council
representatives, community members and a group of youth who wanted to bid
their final farewell to the Reverend Father. His final message to the youth
was to remain steadfast to their Church and ensure the beacon that has been
lit in their souls remains alight and fruitful in Church life always.