Diocese Clergy Grows with New Priest Ordinations, New Pastor Assignments

Providence church honors new parish priest and two new deacons

More than 250 people, young and old, ventured out in the bitter cold on Sunday, January 25, to welcome Fr. Simeon Odabashian, the new pastor at the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I.

“I have known Fr. Simeon Odabashian for many years,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, during his sermon delivered earlier that day. “It was by my hand that he entered into the holy priesthood of our church. He is a man whose whole life has been directed towards the heavenly Light. When he accepted ordination nearly ten years ago, he chose to step more fully into Christ’s Light, because his heart was indeed true and pure; and he had no apprehension about acting in the Light, for his deeds were truly part of the greater work of God.”

The day celebrating Fr. Odabashian’s new responsibilities in Providence also saw two parishioners assume new roles. While celebrating the badarak, Archbishop Barsamian ordained Hagop Ghajanian and Gevork Gevorkain as deacons.

The deacons have an example of service in the life of their new pastor.

“Our two deacons, ordained today, have also accepted a place in the Light, and they should look to Hayr Soorp’s example, so that their own deeds will shine brightly in the eyes of God,” the Primate said. “And the rest of this parish, too, should be guided and inspired by Fr. Simeon’s example, as he takes up the pastoral staff here in Providence. I know the love that he feels for our church, for our people, and now for this parish.”

Also speaking during the church service was Bishop Robert Mulvee, leader of Providence’s Roman Catholic community, who traveled recently to Armenia on a trip organized by the Primate for American Catholic clergymen. He spoke of the warmth and generosity of the Armenian people.

Fr. Odabashian, who joined the parish on January 4, is returning to parish life after more than four years coordinating the Eastern Diocese’s mission parish program. The welcoming banquet was a chance to get to know more of his parishioners, but it was also a chance to inspire them.

Richmond’s Fr. Hovsep is ordained by Archbishop Barsamian

Tears came to the eyes of parishioners gathered at St. James Church of Richmond, Va., on February 22. It was the second day of the two-day ceremony, during which Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordained a new priest for the Armenian Church: Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan.

“Fr. Hovsep has waited a long time for this moment,” the Primate said to more than 180 parishioners and friends during the service. “He considered carefully what road God was calling him to. And God’s plan for his life led him here, to this moment. This is a lesson for us all, for God has a purpose for each one of us.”

Long Road:

Fr. Hovsep, baptized as Tigran, was born in Armenia in 1972, to Ruben and Tamar Karapetyan. His father was the athletics teacher at the seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, and that is where Fr. Hovsep first met and learned about seminarians. From there he would study in Jerusalem, and then in New York, after moving to the United States in 1997.

“My journey and longtime aspiration of becoming an ordained servant of God has become fulfilled,” Fr. Hovsep said. “It is an incomprehensible joy for me, as I finally and fully receive the call and accept the vow of the holy priesthood.”

When he was in New York, studying at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, he was befriended by Mary Bahadurian, a member of the St. Vartan Cathedral community. She stayed a constant supporter of his ministry when he moved to Richmond in 2000, to become deacon-in-charge of the St. James Church. Ms. Bahadurian served as godmother during the ordination service.

“I feel very special and happy to be his godmother,” she said. “He has always been quiet, modest, and fun-loving. And as the years have passed he has become more reflective and committed to his vocation. Tigran’s parents as well as his young wife are equally pious and sacrificing in their love of God.”

Also helping in the ordination were Fr. Arakel Aljalian and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who served as the sponsors of Fr. Hovsep. Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate, offered a prayer during the banquet following the ordination.

A First for Richmond:

For most people in the Richmond parish, this was the first Armenian priestly ordination they had ever witnessed. Yeretzgin Jennifer Karapetyan said the emotion of the event brought tears to the eyes of many. And, she added, it brought the Holy Spirit to the eyes of Fr. Hovsep.

“It was very moving. I had seen a tape of an ordination, but this was incredible witnessing it. A lot of people came up and said they were moved to tears,” she said. “And you could see something in his face. I saw a difference, he had an expression of complete humility in the process he was going through. I could tell he was very emotional.”

Fr. Hovsep spent the traditional 40 days of seclusion after his ordination at St. Nersess Seminary. During that time, Yn. Jennifer, whom he married last year, said she was ready to stand by him in his ministry.

“I look forward to being a help to Der Hovsep. The Armenian Church has become a spiritual light for me, and I feel very fortunate to be embraced by the community and to be serving,” she said. “The community is excited, too, to have its own, newly ordained priest.”

Chicago’s Fr. Aren is ordained at St. Vartan Cathedral

To a resounding ovation, and cries of “You made it!” Fr. Aren Jebejian entered the banquet hall on April 25 to celebrate his priestly ordination with friends, family, and parishioners from St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, Ill., where he has served as the deacon-in-charge since 1998.

Fr. Aren, formerly Dn. Aren, was ordained as a celibate priest by Archbishop Barsamian at New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral, during a two-day ceremony on April 24-25, 2004.

“What a blessing, what a source of joy, this is for our church,” the Primate said to the crowd filling St. Vartan Cathedral on Sunday, April 25. “Even so, I know that to accept the yoke of our Lord is a cause for awe and trembling. It is an awesome thing, to realize—as I know Fr. Aren realizes today—that one’s entire life has been shaped and guided by a greater Hand, which has led you, at last, to this point. In the midst of ordination, one cannot help but feel humble, and even unworthy, of the call God has directed to you. At the same time, one cannot shake the feeling of having been chosen; the weight of responsibility that goes with the pastoral staff; and the privilege of serving our Lord and His people, through His holy church.”

Family Affair:

Fr. Aren comes from a family with a reverend priestly tradition. His father, Fr. Nersess Jebejian, is a long-time pastor in the Eastern Diocese. His great uncle was Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, the late Primate of the Diocese and a monumental figure in the 20th century Armenian Church. His great-grandfather was also a priest: Der Nerses Tavookjian of Aintab.

During the reception which 230 people attended at Diocese’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium the new priest’s father spoke of a time in 1988 when he and his son were walking together.

“He asked me ‘What do you think about my future? Suppose I go to seminary? Would you be happy or unhappy? Would you approve of it or not?’” Fr. Nersess Jebejian recalled his reply: “I told him whatever God plans for him, that’s what he is going to do. He belongs to Christ, and not to me and not to yeretzgin. Today, we are not just elated, we are deeply thankful to the Lord for guiding and leading him.”

During his time serving the parish in Chicago, Fr. Aren—who worked for two years with the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA)—has been credited with paying special attention to the youth of the community.

The Sunday School has grown from five to 30 students, and special ministries and programs have brought young people into the life of the parish.

“He has truly been a shepard to his flock. He’s been a benefit to our youth,” said Mark Berberian, an altar server from St. Gregory. “He has encouraged the youth to take an active role in their faith. And not only is he a teacher of spiritual guidance, he’s also fun to be around.”

More than 70 parishioners from Chicago flew in for the ordination; a reception in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall saw 230 celebrate Fr. Aren's ordination. Their visible energy and vocal joy highlighted their pride in this new phase of life for their pastor.

Fr. Aren spent the traditional 40 days of seclusion at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy on June 6 before returning to Chicago to celebrate his first badarak on June 13.

“I know he will continue to take our breath away in Chicago,” said longtime parish leader George Nahabedian. “And now we can say with pride that the city of Chicago now has a hayr soorp.”