Lowell Sun (Massachusetts)
June 21, 2008 Saturday
‘I like my parish, I like my people’
by By Debbie Hovanasian , Sun Correspondent
CHELMSFORD — These days, the excitement is building at St. Vartanantz
Armenian Church. The parish is marking the 30th anniversary of the
consecration of the beautiful church they built on 16 acres on Old
Westford Road, following a move in 1978 from their modest red brick
church on Lawrence Street in Lowell.
The number of parishioners worshipping at Sunday services is growing
each week. And in January, they welcomed their first permanent pastor
in more than five years, the Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan, along with his
wife, Yeretzgin Anna, and 3-year-old daughter, Maria.
According to church members, Kesablyan, 32 and a native of Armenia,
that is, in fact, the reason church attendance is growing and
excitement is building.
"We love him, he’s just terrific. Now that we have our own priest, we
can really begin to move forward," said church member Doris
Jaffarian. "There’s larger attendance since he has come — it’s made
such a big difference."
For Kesablyan and his family, the feeling is mutual.
"I am excited. I am happy," said Kesablyan, who has a quick smile and
gentle manner. "I like my parish, I like my people, I like my
church. I’m here, ready to serve, and praying to my Lord that he will
strengthen me in my mission."
Kesablyan’s excellent command of the English language belies the fact
that he came to the United States in 2006 fluent in Armenian and
Russian, but knew very little English. While assigned as a pastoral
intern at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, he learned
English in six months studying at the New England School of English.
Not knowing the language didn’t deter Kesablyan when Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
(Eastern), invited him to continue his pastoral service within the
Eastern Diocese.
Though aware of a shortage of priests locally, the invitation came as
a surprise. "But we are soldiers of the church, here to be ready for
surprises."
The Kesablyans left family behind in Armenia, including Kesablyan’s
father, to whom he is close. His mother died four years ago, but once
Maria was born and he looked into her eyes, he knew his mother was
still with him, he said.
Now living in Tyngsboro, the Kesablyans are relishing the joys of
having a parish family of Armenian faith and culture in
Chelmsford. "They don’t let me be homesick," he smiled.
Kesablyan credits several generations of his family for his strong
faith. "My grandparents went to church every day, and they would read
the Bible for me," he said. "I saw the faith in their eyes. The
teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ were a constant in our family. They
prayed every day in our home and I joined them."
Kesablyan’s great grandparents were survivors of the Armenian
holocaust, which began in 1915. They fled to Lebanon before returning
to Armenia in 1946. "They were very faithful people, and I am so happy
that they never lost their faith," he said.
Kesablyan felt his calling at a young age, having served as an acolyte
and witnessing three cousins ordained as priests. He enrolled in the
Gevorgyan Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
at the age of 16.
Ordained as a deacon in 1997, he subsequently served as a lecturer at
the seminary, a chaplain in the Armenian Army and Executive Secretary
of the Department of Inter-Church Relations.
He was ordained into the priesthood in 2005, given the name of
"Khachatur," and assigned as pastor in the city of Kapan, along with
30 surrounding villages in Southern Armenia, numbering about 30,000
people.
After coming to the United States and interning in Cambridge,
Kesablyan also served as a chaplain at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital
in Boston.
Today he is busy getting to know the people of his new parish, and
will continue to rely on the support of his wife, who sings in the
church choir. "She helps me a lot in my ministry. Her support is
incredible," he said.
"My main goal really is to make the parish grow. We have such great
potential — we just need more people at the services. Very humbly I
will say that attendance has gone up."
Kesablyan has been visiting parishioners to bless homes and address
their spiritual needs, he is working closely with the youth groups and
has recently created a young professionals group.
"God has trusted the special care of his flock to me. I am responsible
to God for every single parishioner," he said. "I want to do what
Jesus did. He didn’t sit in one place and wait for people to come. I
want to reach out, calling my people. I want to get to know them and
for them to know me."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress