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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
February 1, 2012
_______________________________________________
Boca Raton, FL, Parish Celebrates Pastor's Milestone
Parishioners of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., gathered last month to
honor their pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, on the 20th
anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.
The celebration began on Saturday, January 21, with a banquet in the
church's Mardigian Hall. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
presided over the event, which drew more than 250 guests.
"Hayr Sourp holds a special significance for me because he was the first
priest to be ordained by my hand," said Archbishop Barsamian. "He is a man
of deep faith, and has unlimited love for his people and heritage."
A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Fr. Berberian grew up in a pious family and
attended church on Sundays. Inspired by his parents Kevork and Nevart, and
by relatives in the priesthood, he decided to begin seminary studies at an
early age.
He entered the seminary at Holy Etchmiadzin, was ordained a deacon, and
traveled to the United States in 1988 to continue his education at St.
Nersess and St. Vladimir's seminaries in New York. He was ordained to the
holy priesthood at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on July 26, 1992.
"It was an extraordinary day in my life," he said of his ordination. "I felt
a spiritual rebirth."
During Saturday's banquet, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, the dean of St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral who mentored Fr. Berberian, shared fond memories
of Fr. Berberian as a seminarian.
Recalling his days as the dean of St. Nersess Seminary, Fr. Chevian said
that "the greatest sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that a teacher
can have is when one of his students succeeds in his chosen vocation, and
even exceeds expectations. For me, one of those success stories is Fr.
Berberian."
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese's Ecumenical Director, spoke about
Fr. Berberian's scholarship and pastoral ministry.
Fr. Berberian holds master's degrees in divinity and sacred theology, and a
doctorate degree in ministry. He served parishes in Houston, Texas;
Richmond, Va.; and Hartford, Conn., before being assigned as pastor of St.
David Church of Boca Raton in 2002.
Parish council vice chair Carol Norigian presented Fr. Berberian with a
Michael Aram decorative piece on behalf of the parish council. She stressed
Fr. Berberian's gift for bringing together the community by organizing
spiritual and cultural activities.
Fr. Berberian's niece, Joelle Awad, who travelled with his sister and other
family members from Los Angeles, spoke about her uncle's spiritual influence
on their family. The parish ACYOA members sang Armenian songs and offered
instrumental performances. Taniel Koushakjian served as the master of
ceremonies.
Before concluding the evening, Archbishop Barsamian presented Fr. Berberian
with a plaque in recognition of his milestone.
Inspiring future generations
On Sunday, January 22, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. In his sermon, he recalled the day of Fr. Berberian's ordination,
which occurred on the Feast of the Transfiguration, and spoke about the
parallels between the transformative experience of Christ on Mt. Tabor and
that of a man being ordained into the holy priesthood.
"Every time we look on a priest, every time we receive a sacrament from his
hand, we testify to the transformation he has undergone," Archbishop
Barsamian said. "And so we re-establish our own relationship with God as
members of His flock."
During the service, Gregory Merjian was ordained to the order of
sub-diaconate and Arlen Avedyan to the order of diaconate. Both worked with
Fr. Berberian to prepare for their new duties.
Working with young people has been one of the hallmarks of Fr. Berberian's
ministry. In his 20 years as a clergyman, he has witnessed the ordinations
of some 50 altar servers. "I love working with young people, and making them
realize their important role in the community," he said.
In addition to training programs for altar servers, he has developed the
parish's Junior Choir, ACYOA Juniors and Seniors chapters, and its Young
Adults Group.
"As long as God is with me, I will continue my humble service," Fr.
Berberian said.
Fr. Berberian reflects on his call to serve in a special video prepared by
the St. David parish. Visit www.youtube.com/easterndiocese to view the
video.
###
Photos attached (courtesy of St. David Church)
Photo 1: Fr. Nareg Berberian addresses guests at a banquet held in his honor
last month in Boca Raton, Fla.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian with Fr.
Nareg Berberian and his family members.
Photo 3: Arlen Avedyan was ordained to the diaconate at St. David Church on
January 22.
From: A. Papazian
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
February 1, 2012
_______________________________________________
Boca Raton, FL, Parish Celebrates Pastor's Milestone
Parishioners of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., gathered last month to
honor their pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, on the 20th
anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.
The celebration began on Saturday, January 21, with a banquet in the
church's Mardigian Hall. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
presided over the event, which drew more than 250 guests.
"Hayr Sourp holds a special significance for me because he was the first
priest to be ordained by my hand," said Archbishop Barsamian. "He is a man
of deep faith, and has unlimited love for his people and heritage."
A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Fr. Berberian grew up in a pious family and
attended church on Sundays. Inspired by his parents Kevork and Nevart, and
by relatives in the priesthood, he decided to begin seminary studies at an
early age.
He entered the seminary at Holy Etchmiadzin, was ordained a deacon, and
traveled to the United States in 1988 to continue his education at St.
Nersess and St. Vladimir's seminaries in New York. He was ordained to the
holy priesthood at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on July 26, 1992.
"It was an extraordinary day in my life," he said of his ordination. "I felt
a spiritual rebirth."
During Saturday's banquet, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, the dean of St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral who mentored Fr. Berberian, shared fond memories
of Fr. Berberian as a seminarian.
Recalling his days as the dean of St. Nersess Seminary, Fr. Chevian said
that "the greatest sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that a teacher
can have is when one of his students succeeds in his chosen vocation, and
even exceeds expectations. For me, one of those success stories is Fr.
Berberian."
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese's Ecumenical Director, spoke about
Fr. Berberian's scholarship and pastoral ministry.
Fr. Berberian holds master's degrees in divinity and sacred theology, and a
doctorate degree in ministry. He served parishes in Houston, Texas;
Richmond, Va.; and Hartford, Conn., before being assigned as pastor of St.
David Church of Boca Raton in 2002.
Parish council vice chair Carol Norigian presented Fr. Berberian with a
Michael Aram decorative piece on behalf of the parish council. She stressed
Fr. Berberian's gift for bringing together the community by organizing
spiritual and cultural activities.
Fr. Berberian's niece, Joelle Awad, who travelled with his sister and other
family members from Los Angeles, spoke about her uncle's spiritual influence
on their family. The parish ACYOA members sang Armenian songs and offered
instrumental performances. Taniel Koushakjian served as the master of
ceremonies.
Before concluding the evening, Archbishop Barsamian presented Fr. Berberian
with a plaque in recognition of his milestone.
Inspiring future generations
On Sunday, January 22, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. In his sermon, he recalled the day of Fr. Berberian's ordination,
which occurred on the Feast of the Transfiguration, and spoke about the
parallels between the transformative experience of Christ on Mt. Tabor and
that of a man being ordained into the holy priesthood.
"Every time we look on a priest, every time we receive a sacrament from his
hand, we testify to the transformation he has undergone," Archbishop
Barsamian said. "And so we re-establish our own relationship with God as
members of His flock."
During the service, Gregory Merjian was ordained to the order of
sub-diaconate and Arlen Avedyan to the order of diaconate. Both worked with
Fr. Berberian to prepare for their new duties.
Working with young people has been one of the hallmarks of Fr. Berberian's
ministry. In his 20 years as a clergyman, he has witnessed the ordinations
of some 50 altar servers. "I love working with young people, and making them
realize their important role in the community," he said.
In addition to training programs for altar servers, he has developed the
parish's Junior Choir, ACYOA Juniors and Seniors chapters, and its Young
Adults Group.
"As long as God is with me, I will continue my humble service," Fr.
Berberian said.
Fr. Berberian reflects on his call to serve in a special video prepared by
the St. David parish. Visit www.youtube.com/easterndiocese to view the
video.
###
Photos attached (courtesy of St. David Church)
Photo 1: Fr. Nareg Berberian addresses guests at a banquet held in his honor
last month in Boca Raton, Fla.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian with Fr.
Nareg Berberian and his family members.
Photo 3: Arlen Avedyan was ordained to the diaconate at St. David Church on
January 22.
From: A. Papazian