PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
July 28, 2006
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FR. CHEVIAN MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral, marked
more than 20 years of his priestly ministry during a reception at the
cathedral complex on May 19, 2006, during which he was granted the right to
wear the floral pilon by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, who
officiated during the service.
"Everyone who takes up the holy orders of the church believes deeply in his
heart that he is carrying forward something worthy and valuable: our
heritage, an ancient tradition of service to God, the succession of Christ’s
apostles," the Primate said, speaking about how Fr. Chevian personifies the
Diocesan theme of the past year "Carrying the Flame." "Der Mardiros is
surely a man who has chosen to carry that flame, and he does so with the
utmost respect and love for what our flame represents. But more than
carrying the flame himself, Der Mardiros has devoted his ministry to
inspiring others to carry it beside him."
Following the vesper service, during which he was honored the floral pilon,
Fr. Mardiros was celebrated at a reception and program attended by 350
people in the cathedral’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where
friends, deacons, and community members, spoke about Fr. Chevian and his
impact on the Armenian Church community.
"I express deeply felt gratitude to Der Hayr, for being a pastor in every
sense of the word to our little community," said Elise Antreassian,
coordinator of Christian education for the Eastern Diocese, who spoke for
the Diocesan staff and was one of 14 people from all parts of the community
to offer testimonials on Fr. Chevian. "With him we are generally smiling,
often laughing — sometimes at his very gracious expense. When we have been
exasperated, he has provided solace; when we’ve been confused, he has given
sound and welcome advice, when we’ve been unsure, he has provided the
comfort of his confident leadership and hope."
LIFE OF FAITH
Fr. Chevian has been active in the life of the Armenian Church since he was
a young altar server in his home parish of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI. After receiving a degree in social sciences from Barrington
College and a master’s of divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox
Seminary and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, he spent two years studying at
the Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin.
After returning to the United States, he served as deacon-in-charge of the
St. George Church of Waukegan, IL, before being asked to play a leadership
role in the reopening of the St. Nersess Seminary in its new location in New
Rochelle, NY. That began his lifelong ministry with young Armenians.
"Der Mardiros has a unique ability to relate to the youth in a way that
makes young people comfortable speaking to clergy," said David Kasparian,
one of the speakers at the banquet. "He provides a link between the younger
generation and the church that is important."
Kasparian credits Fr. Mardiros’ tenure at St. Nersess for his repartee with
younger generations. It was while his brother and sister were attending a
St. Nersess Conference in 1979, when David was 11 years old, that his father
passed away. Fr. Mardiros brought his siblings home and stayed with the
family. "From then, he has always had a special place in the heart of our
family," he said.
Fr. Mardiros, whose baptismal name was Michael, was ordained in the end of
April 1985, being given the name Mardiros, or martyr or witness. In
discussing the ordination name, then-Primate Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
told Fr. Mardiros that "It is not the name that will make you, it is you who
will make the name."
"I have learned that the name you are given can inspire you and motivate
you," he said. "I learned that I must be a witness. You must be sure of
who you are in order to witness. It is only someone who is confident in who
he is that can truly witness to what he believes. And who we are is a
combination of what gifts and talents God has given us, and what our parents
and family and teachers have planted within us. And also what we have
accepted upon ourselves."
He said his connection to the generation of Armenian priests killed during
the Genocide was strengthened not only by his new priestly name, but also by
learning shortly after his ordination that his great-great grandfather was
Der Mardiros, a village priest in Sebastia.
"He was, like so many other priests, killed during the Genocide," Fr.
Mardiros said. "That further deepened in me the belief that each new priest
is an answer to the losses, righteous revenge against those who tried to
erase the Armenian people of the face of the earth."
In 1991 he was asked to establish a new youth ministry effort at the
Diocesan Center. He was then named dean of St. Vartan Cathedral in 1994.
In 1999 he was elected to the Diocesan Council, where he continues to serve.
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
While serving at St. Nersess he began a life of devoted service to young
Armenians, who today are young parents who seek out his pastoral guidance.
But his ministry is not limited to the young nor the American-born.
"I’m sure that every person here — myself included — could offer a story
about how Der Hayr’s counsel or presence made a difference to them at a
critical time," the Primate said. "What impresses me is the broad range of
lives he has affected. Der Hayr has always been closely associated with our
younger generation; but he also has a wonderful, loving touch with our Avaks
(senior citizens). As an American-born priest he speaks in a special way to
others born in this country. Yet he has made it a special part of his
ministry to reach out to the newest of our newcomers."
The Primate’s thoughts were echoed by many of the other speakers.
"Fr. Chevian is a worthy shepherd who for 20 years has served his church and
community with great dedication," said Shakeh Kadehjian, principal of the
St. Vartan Armenian School and chairperson of the committee which organized
the program honoring Fr. Chevian. "I have worked with him closely and my
respect for him grows by witnessing his good deeds — caring and supporting
young and old alike — through the various programs implemented by him."
And while building a community Fr. Mardiros and his wife, Yn. Diane, have
also built a family, with two daughters Alexandra and Kristina. His eldest
daughter, Alexandra, surprised her father during the program by delivering
her own remarks to the crowd.
"To you he is Der Hayr or Fr. Mardiros. "To my sister and I, he is just
dad," she said. "We were blessed when God made him our dad."
— 7/28/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, presents Fr. Mardiros Chevian with the granting of the floral pilon
during a vesper service marking the 20th anniversary of Fr. Chevian’s
priestly ordination.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian addresses the crowd at New York
City’s St. Vartan Cathedral on May 19, 2006, during a service honoring the
priestly ministry of Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the cathedral.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Mardiros Chevian speaks about his ministry during a
reception marking the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Fr. Mardiros Chevian’s daughter Alexandra speaks to the
crowd of 350 people who turned out to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her
father’s ordination to the priesthood.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress