Clergy of Blessed Memory
Profiles of Eastern Diocesan clergy of blessed memory who chose a life of service to God and their beloved Armenian Church. This is an evolving list, if you have any photos, biographical details, or memories you would like to share, e-mail us by clicking here.
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Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan
Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan was born in 1904 in Antep, Cilicia. He was ordained a priest in 1928, elevated to the rank of bishop in 1945, and was elevated to the rank of archbishop in 1951. He was elected to serve as Primate of the Eastern Diocese for three terms and helped found vital organizations such as the St. Nersess Seminary, the ACYOA, and the Associaiton of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA). Click here for an extended biography. |
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Archbishop Papken Varjabedian
Archbishop Papken Varjabedian was born in 1918 in Aintab, Syria. He was ordained a priest in 1941, elevated to the rank of bishop in 1957, and was elevated to the rank of archbishop in 1996. In the Eastern Diocese he served the St. Peter Church of Troy, New York; the Holy Trinity Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; and the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. He was also appointed the Diocesan Legate and served as Primate of the Western Diocese of America. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Bishop Houssig Bagdasian
Bishop Houssig Bagdasian was born in May 1934. He was ordained on November 15, 1959. He served the St. Mary Church of Livingston, New Jersey. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Bishop Zgon Der Hagopian
Bishop Zgon Der Hagopian was born in Van in 1904. He graduated from the St. James Seminary in Jerusalem in 1930 and was elevated to the rank of Bishop in 1958. In the Eastern Diocese, he served as a visiting pastor to several parishes, and served as pastor of the Holy Cross Church of Union City, New Jersey, and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of New York City. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Rev. Fr. Mesrob Benlian
Fr. Mesrob Benlian was born in 1935 in Beirut, Lebanon. He was ordained a priest in 1964. In the Eastern Diocese he served the Holy Cross Church of Armenia in New York City; the St. Kevork Church of Houston, Texas; and the St. Mark Church of Springfield, Massachusetts. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Rev. Fr. Michael Buttero
Rev. Fr. Michael Buttero was born in 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained a priest in 1958. In the Eastern Diocese he served the Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, Connecticut; the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Haverhill, Massachusetts; the Holy Trinity Church of Chelmsford, Pennsylvania; the St. John Church of Southfield, Michigan; and the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, New York. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley
Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley was born in Boston in 1956. He was ordained a priest in 1996. As a priest, he served the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, Ohio. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Rev. Fr. Haik Donikian
Rev. Fr. Haik Donikian was born in 1919 in Bandrma, Turkey. He was ordained a priest in 1954. In the Eastern Diocese he served the Holy Cross Church of New York City; the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, Rhode Island; the St. John Church of Southfield, Michigan; and the St. George Church of Waukegan, Illinois. Click here for an extended biography. |
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V. Rev. Fr. Varoujan Kabaradjian
V. Rev. Fr. Varoujan Kabaradjian was born in 1927 in Constintinople, Turkey. He was ordained a priest in 1951. In the Eastern Diocese he served the St. James Church of Evanston, Illinois; and as a visiting pastor to several communities in the Chicago and Southern Wisconsin areas. Click here for an extended biography. |
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V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian
V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian was born in 1949 in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained a priest in 1976. In the Eastern Diocese he served the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Haverhill, Massachusetts; the Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania; and the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, Queens. Click here for an extended biography. |
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Rev. Fr. Mamigon Vosganian
Rev. Fr. Mamigon Vosganian was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1911. He was ordained a priest in 1959. In the Eastern Diocese he served as pastor in Haverhill, Massachusetts; New York City; and Montreal. For 20 years he was the pastor of the Armenian Church of Western Queens in New York City. Click here for an extended biography. |