PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
22 February 2008
VICAR GENERAL APPOINTED TO DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA
Under the supreme authority of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, the Chancellery of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Australia and New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment
of Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan as Vicar General of the Diocese.
Father Vardan has been serving the Diocese of Australia with great devotion
since his arrival in 2005. Within months of his arrival, Father Vardan
embarked on two major missions in early 2006. Firstly, with the lead of the
Church Council of the Church of Holy Resurrection, he planned and
co-ordinated a week-long celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the
Church.
The second mission was to bring the senior youth of the community into the
realm of the Armenian Apostolic Church by launching a young adults Bible
study group. In July 2007, he led a group of 21 youths on a pilgrimage to
Armenia which also focussed on ministry opportunities including a 2-day
build with Habitat for Humanity Armenia and visits to an orphanage in
Gyumri, a village in the region of Gegharkunik and military base in
Stepanakert. The fatherly guidance of Father Vardan made this trip a
life-changing experience for these young adults.
His work with the youth continues and most recently has initiated a church
youth choir to partake in the Divine Liturgy. His presence is also felt in
other spheres of the Armenian community, whether it be through the network
of Armenian schools, sporting clubs or organisations.
The Diocese congratulates Father Vardan on this appointment and prayerfully
wishes him continued accomplishments in his ministry.
Father Vardan Navasardyan (baptismal name Aristakes) was ordained a celibate
priest in February 2004 after completing his seminarian studies at the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary in Holy Etchmiadzin. He was appointed to
serve in the Diocese of Australia by His Holiness Karekin II and arrived in
Sydney in September 2005.