A Parish Says Thank You

Parishioners at St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., recently honored their pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, on the 10th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood of the Armenian Church.  Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited the community on Sunday, February 23, where he presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. At the conclusion of badarak, the Primate presented Fr. Karapetyan with a pectoral cross and congratulated him on this milestone.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian  

Tel: (212) 686-0710   

E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

March 24, 2014

A Parish Says Thank You

Parishioners at St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., recently honored their pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, on the 10th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood of the Armenian Church.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited the community on Sunday, February 23, where he presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon.

At the conclusion of badarak, the Primate presented Fr. Karapetyan with a pectoral cross and congratulated him on this milestone.

"A decade ago a young deacon entered the ranks of the priesthood in the Armenian Church," Archbishop Barsamian said, recalling Fr. Karapetyan's ordination at St. James Church in Richmond, Va. "Today he continues to be a dedicated servant of the Lord, one who is committed to helping his parish grow, and is, in turn, well respected by the Armenian community of Washington."

A requiem service was held in memory of deceased parishioners and victims of the 1988 pogroms in Azerbaijan, an event commemorated in February.

Also that afternoon Archbishop Barsamian elevated three altar servers— Armen Chubukian, Aras Mermer, and Edwin Tilimian—to the rank of sub-deacon. Archbishop Barsamian presented the newly ordained with crosses from Holy Etchimiadzin.

"It is an immense happiness for me on this anniversary to see Aras, Edwin, and Armen elevated to the rank of sub-deacon," Fr. Karapetyan said. "It gives me great joy to see them grow in their faith, knowledge, and commitment to our church."

Aras Mermer, who in addition to serving on the altar is active in the parish's ACYOA, said the young men have been meeting regularly with Fr. Karapetyan, both on Sundays and during the week, to prepare for the sub-diaconate. He said the experience was at once challenging and uplifting, and he looks forward to his new role.

"The ordination was amazing," he said. "It's such a privilege to serve on the altar, and I consider it the greatest accomplishment I have had to this day."

Celebrating a milestone

Following services, more than 200 people gathered in the church hall for a luncheon and program in celebration of Fr. Karapetyan's anniversary.

In addition to Archbishop Barsamian, guests included Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese's Ecumenical Director; Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian, the long-serving former pastor of St. Mary Church; Diocesan Council chair James Kalustian; Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Armenia's ambassador to the United States, and the entire embassy staff; Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of Nagorno-Karabagh to the United States; and Colonel Mesrop Nazarian, Armenia's Defense Attaché in Washington.

Parish council member Sintia Pertrosian-Gusmao served as master of ceremonies. Reflecting on the Diocese's theme "Living the Gospel of Christ," Mr. Kalustian spoke about the ways in which pastors set an example by following in Christ's footsteps. Archbishop Barsamian and Archbishop Aykazian spoke about Fr. Karapetyan's pastoral leadership.

Ambassador Markarian described Fr. Karapetyan's ongoing effort to maintain close ties with the embassy through lectures, presentations, and other jointly-sponsored events. Women's Guild member Clara Andonian, parish council member Sarine Zenian, and Dn. Garegin Vardanyan spoke about Fr. Karapetyan's warm personality and his support of various church organizations. In addition, letters of congratulation were read from those who could not attend the February 23 celebration.

ACYOA members and sub-deacons presented Fr. Karapetyan with a commemorative plaque, and the parish council ordered a handmade silver cross from Armenia.

The program also featured a musical performance by the talented Chamsayan Sisters, and a slide show depicting Fr. Karapetyan's pastoral journey. 

New energy

Fr. Karapetyan studied at Gevorkyan Theological Seminary at Holy Etchmiadzin, St. James Seminary at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, N.Y.

He was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, and went on to serve as deacon-in-charge at St. James Church of Richmond, Va., where he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Barsamian in February 2004.

In 2007, Fr. Karapetyan was assigned to St. Mary Church, where parishioners say his vision and hard work have helped the community take on new projects.

During Fr. Karapetyan's tenure, St. Mary Church completed renovations to its hall and sanctuary. The latter included the renovation of the main altar and two smaller altars, window enhancements, and the renovation of the church floor, ceiling, pews, and candle room. In addition, new entry doors were created and a carving of St. Mary installed at the entrance. On church grounds, a khatchkar was put up in memory of the deceased parishioners of the community. Now the parish is working on the construction of an Armenian bell tower to adorn the exterior of the building.

"Fr. Hovsep has been a very big asset to our community," said parish council vice chair Mike Tashjian. "He has brought many people together in our parish."

Fr. Karapetyan and Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan have injected new energy into parish organizations. The combined Sunday and Armenian School has seen an increasing number of students, while the ACYOA has implemented an active schedule of worship and social and cultural activities.

Meanwhile, programs with Armenia's Embassy and Nagorno-Karabagh's Mission to the United States have allowed parishioners to learn of developments in the homeland and to become involved in supporting initiatives there.

The Women's Guild likewise has expanded its programming and participation in recent years. Earlier this winter, the organization hosted an evening of worship and fellowship to raise funds in support of the Fund for Armenian Relief's Vanadzor Old Age Home in Armenia.

"Looking back at the past seven years as the pastor of St. Mary Church," Fr. Karapetyan said, "I give thanks to God for the many wonderful people whose encouragement and sustenance have strengthened my ministry and inspired me to continue serving God and his church."

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Photos attached.

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains sub-deacons at St. Mary Church. He is assisted by the Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan.

Photo 2: Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Church.