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:
October 16, 2006
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RANK OF ARCHPRIEST BESTOWED UPON FR. NALBANDIAN ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY
By Florence Avakian
It was a time to honor service and self-reflection on past actions when Fr.
Zenob Nalbandian marked the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination on
Friday, September 29, 2006.
"The priest takes this opportunity to renew his oath, commitment and service
to his church; recognize his achievements; and continue laboring in the
field of our Lord," Fr. Zenob said as he spoke to the roughly 100 people
attending the celebratory banquet. "Over the past centuries, the Armenian
Church has suffered a lot; and the Armenian people have gone through many
trials and tribulations. Both the clergy and the laity must maintain intact
all the values that have been passed on to them by their ancestors."
During the banquet, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presented Fr. Nalbandian with a
pontifical encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, in which the Catholicos bestowed upon Fr.
Nalbandian the rank of Avak Kahanah (Archpriest).
Fr. Nalbandian has most recently been serving the needs of Diocesan mission
parishes such as the Armenian Church of Jacksonville, FL; the St. Garabed
Church of Kansas City, MI; and the Armenian Church of Nashville, TN. The
celebratory dinner was held in Andover, NH, a region Fr. Nalbandian had
served as pastor to the Armenians of today’s Armenian Church of Hye Pointe
community.
"Der Hayr has loyally and diligently rendered spiritual service to various
parishes throughout the Diocese," said the Primate in his remarks. "Besides
his spiritual mission, Fr. Zenob has also made time to write. He is the
author of many useful essays and articles of a religious and national
nature."
Emphasizing the rare qualities and talents of Fr. Nalbandian, the Primate
noted that he has been "an intellectual with a broad mind and various
interests," pointing out that he and his family — Yn. Hasmig and their
children Dr. Angele, Raffi, and Sossi — have been very active in parish
life, including service to the Women’s Guild, the Armenian and Sunday
Schools, the ACYOA, and the choir as organists.
Several speakers paid tribute to the dedicated service of Fr. Nalbandian
including the Fr. Krikor Maksoudian; Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, pastor of the
Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, CT; Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
pastor of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, CT, and Fr. Zenob’s
brother; and Krikor Keusseyan, former editor of Baikar.
The audience responded with delight as Fr. Nalbandian sang two beloved
favorites, "Havig Mee Baydzar," and "Yerkeer Ankin Yerkeer," accompanied on
the organ by Dr. Angele Nalbandian.
LIFE OF SERVICE
Fr. Nalbandian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on November 30, 1952, and
received his education at the Mesrobian Armenian School in Beirut, and the
Kevorkian Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well at Syracuse University, the
University of Milwaukee, and the St. Francis Seminary of Wisconsin.
Ordained at the St. Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, on September 17, 1978, by
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, he continued his clerical service at the Church
of the Holy Resurrection in South Milwaukee, WI. In 1985, he was appointed
as pastor of the Holy Cross Church of Lawrence, MA, before serving the
mission parishes.
— 10/16/06
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, joins Fr. Zenob
Nalbandian and his family during the celebrations marking his 25 years of
priestly service on September 29, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Accompanied by Dr. Angele Nalbandian, Fr. Zenob
Nalbandian sings during the banquet marking the 25th anniversary of his
priestly ordination.
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