Providence Honors Priestly Anniversary  

By Lisa M. Natcharian

On Sunday, September 22, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence, RI, marked the 40th anniversary of the ordination of their pastor, Fr. Shnork Kasparian.

In a program organized by the parish Jubilee Committee co-chaired by Edward and Irene Eranosian, the community joined Archbishop Khajag Barsamian to remember Fr. Shnork's globe-spanning ministry.

Been Around the World

Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1929, Fr. Shnork graduated with a London Chamber of Commerce Diploma from the British School, went on to take courses at Marquette University in the United States, and graduated from the Armenian Seminary in Jerusalem in 1959.

In 1961, he was ordained a celibate priest by Archbishop Mampre Siroonian. In 1962, elevated to the rank of vartabed, he began work in the Americas, with an assignment in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The next year, he became Vicar General of Brazil and Uruguay. In 1969, he returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to serve as the dean of its seminary.

In 1974, Fr. Shnork was elevated to the rank of dzayrakooyn vartabed by then-Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian. Five years later, Archbishop Shnork Kaloostian, Patriarch of Constantinople, invited Fr. Shnork to become his personal assistant and his representative in foreign and ecumenical activities.

In 1996, Fr. Shnork returned to Jerusalem to take charge of its seminary.

Fr. Shnork, who speaks nine languages, has also served as pastor in Canada; Worcester, MA; Milwaukee, WI; Belleville, IL; and most recently, Providence, RI.

"As a faithful servant of the holy church, you have accepted various invitations and willingly offered your best, according to your God-given talents and gifts," Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote in a message for the anniversary celebration. "You have undertaken positions and responsibilities with love and without hesitation as teacher, educator, and dean in academic institutions."

Celebrating Decades of Service

The anniversary celebration began on Saturday evening, September 21, with a hrashapar service presided over by Archbishop Barsamian. Six members of the Providence parish were ordained into the four minor orders: Haik Amroyan, David Gevorkian, Gevork Gevorkian, Peter Hanoian, Mher Saribekyan and George Vartanian.

The following day, Sunday, September 22, during a badarak celebrated by Fr. Shnork, the Primate elevated two of those men--Gevork Gevorkian and Peter Hanoian--to the rank of sub-deacon. Dignitaries present at the Sunday service included Bishop Robert E. Mulvee, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence; and Fr. Raymond Kelly, pastor of the neighboring St. Patrick Catholic Church.

More than 220 guests attended a testimonial banquet following the service, which included statements of praise by parish members. Remarks were made by Archbishop Barsamian, Rev. John Holt, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; and Fr. Kelley.

Musical selections by the children's choir of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, pianist Nonetta Shatakhsian, and soprano Gohar Manjelikian rounded out the event.

Words of Praise

Tributes from clergy, political leaders and Armenian community leaders from all over the world were read during the banquet. Nineteen Armenian clergymen sent their regards and memories of Fr. Shnork, including five primates, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Catholicos of All Armenians.

"Many people talk about Fr. Shnork's intelligence and vast knowledge, which are all true. But, the qualities which most impress me are his humility, patience, gentleness, and genuine dedication to the Lord," wrote Fr. Yeprem Kelegian of St. Mesrob Church in Racine, WI.

The Primate presented Fr. Shnork with an encyclical from one of his past students--now Catholicos Karekin II--who commended the honoree for his outstanding service to the church and awarded him the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal for exemplary service.

Fr. Shnork responded with humble thanks, and told the gathering that he was thankful God had given him the energy to continue to serve Him. He announced that, in gratitude, he would donated $1,000 to the parish.

Archbishop Barsamian presented Fr. Shnork with a framed ivory cross from Etchmiadzin "as a symbol of the love that is embodied in Hayr Soorp."

"All of us who know and admire Fr. Shnork can testify that his original inspiration has not faded with the passage of 40 years," the Primate said. "If anything, the sense of love that he brings to his ministry grows stronger with each passing year. And today, as we observe a special milestone in his ministry, it is our turn to let Hayr Soorp know how much we love him in return."