PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
January 11, 2010
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FR. DAJAD DAVIDIAN AND FR. ARSEN BARSAMIAN HONORED AT ST. JAMES CHURCH OF
WATERTOWN ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited St. James Armenian Church of Watertown, Mass.,
on Sunday, December 13, as the parish honored two former pastors, the Rev.
Fr. Arsen Barsamian and the Rev. Fr. Dajad Davidian, to mark the 50th
anniversary of their ordinations into the holy priesthood. The day also
marked the 78th anniversary of St. James Church.
Fr. Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and Fr. Davidian delivered the
day’s sermon. In the sanctuary, the Primate presented both clergymen with
Pontifical Encyclicals on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his appreciation to Fr. Barsamian and Fr.
Davidian for their dedication to the Armenian Church, and said he was glad
that His Holiness, too, was honoring their years of service.
"Today is a day of celebration and a day of recommitment," the Primate said.
"We are here to say thank you to Fr. Arsen and Fr. Dajad. It is also an
opportunity for us to commit ourselves to the task of ensuring that there
will be other priests like them to continue the mission of the Armenian
Church."
In this "Year of Vocations," the Primate encouraged parishioners to guide
young people, especially young men, who are serving their church. "It is so
instructive to hold up these two worthy examples of dedication to God,"
Archbishop Barsamian said of the day’s honorees, "two distinct paths of
service, united in their response to our Lord’s calling, leading them to the
common destination of holiness."
‘A good shepherd’
A native of South Milwaukee, Wis., Fr. Arsen Barsamian was preparing for a
career in music when he felt the calling to become a priest. After three
years of studying music theory and composition at the University of
Wisconsin, he traveled to Lebanon to study theology at the seminary of the
Great House of Cilicia in 1953. Later he continued his work at the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and completed coursework at several seminaries in
the U.S.
On March 13, 1960, he was ordained into the holy priesthood by then-Primate
Archbishop Sion Manoogian at St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Racine, Wis., and
appointed pastor of St. George Armenian Church of Waukegan, Ill., where he
would serve for the next four years. During this time, Fr. Barsamian also
visited parishes in Illinois and Wisconsin, serving communities without a
permanent pastor.
In 1967, he became pastor of St. James Armenian Church of Richmond, Va. He
also has served St. Mary Armenian Church of Washington, D.C., Holy Trinity
Armenian Church of Cheltenham, Pa., St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church of
Cleveland, Ohio, and St. John the Baptist Armenian Church of Milwaukee.
In 1989, Fr. Barsamian became the associate pastor of St. James Armenian
Church of Watertown, Mass., where he served until his retirement in 2002. He
continues to assist the parish’s current pastor, the Rev. Fr. Arakel
Aljalian.
"For over 50 years, as a good shepherd, you have nurtured the spiritual
needs of our faithful in the Eastern Diocese of the United States," His
Holiness Karekin II wrote to Fr. Arsen in the encyclical. "We are very
pleased to know that even after your retirement, you continue to contribute
to the spiritual growth of our faithful, and to help realize our church’s
Christ-given mission."
Fr. Arsen and Yn. Varteni Barsamian have three children: Loosaper Anjel,
Steven Asadour, and Raphael Shnork.
>From Watertown to Armenia
Fr. Dajad Davidian was born in Worcester, Mass. Like Fr. Barsamian, he began
his theological studies at the seminary of the Great House of Cilicia, in
1952. Returning to the U.S. three years later, he enrolled at General
Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, graduating in
1958.
Fr. Davidian was ordained into the holy priesthood on July 17, 1960, by
Archbishop Sion Manoogian. Following ordination, he served at the newly
established Armenian Church of Bergen County, N.J., was the executive
secretary of the ACYOA, and held the position of editor of The Armenian
Guardian.
In 1962, he joined the staff of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and later
became pastor of St. Mesrob Church of Racine, Wis. In 1969, he was appointed
pastor of St. James Church of Watertown, where he served for 30 years until
his retirement in 1999.
After his retirement, Fr. Davidian traveled to Armenia, where he has spent
time preaching, organizing new parishes, and directing youth centers. He
also works with Radio Vem, a radio station based in Armenia which features
religious programming.
"It gives us great joy that you are realizing this very important task of
reaching our youth in Armenia, providing spiritual education, and helping
them create ties with their heritage," His Holiness Karekin II wrote to Fr.
Davidian in the encyclical. "We pray that our Heavenly Father keeps you
under His care and protection so that you may continue your fruitful
church-building mission in Armenia."
Fr. Davidian and the late Yn. Rosemarie have three children: Ari, Susan, and
Raymond.
‘Role models for a younger generation’
Following services on December 13, the community gathered for the 78th
anniversary name day banquet at St. James Church. During the banquet, the
Primate presented Spiritual Leadership Awards to Fr. Barsamian and Fr.
Davidian on behalf of the Eastern Diocese.
"For a generation, the people of this parish were fortunate to enjoy the
pastoral leadership of Der Dajad and Der Arsen," Archbishop Barsamian said.
"Through his deep learning, his inexhaustible energy, and his warm,
open-hearted personality, Fr. Dajad has been a worthy servant to our Diocese
and our people in general. He is a true soldier of the Armenian Church:
indomitable in spirit, protective of our traditions, and passionate about
exerting the church’s influence in the surrounding world."
"While a quieter soul by nature, Fr. Arsen has been no less of a forceful
presence in the life of our church. He has embraced the role of teacher and
author, pouring his learning into resources meant to awaken our people to
the treasures of our heritage – and to waken, also, a deeper awareness of
God’s presence among us. Numerous souls have found both consolation and
inspiration in Der Arsen’s dignified, peaceful spirituality."
More than 400 people attended the event, which was organized by the Rev. Fr.
Arakel Aljalian and the parishioners of St. James Church. Fr. Aljalian said
many in the parish have been touched by the work of Fr. Barsamian and Fr.
Davidian.
"They are very devoted pastors of St. James Church," he said. "They have
contributed tremendously to the well-being of this church, and they have
become role models for a younger generation."
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presented Spiritual Leadership Awards
to Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian and Rev. Fr. Dajad Davidian on behalf of the
Eastern Diocese.
Photo 2: Rev. Fr. Dajad Davidian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Rev. Fr.
Arsen Barsamian, and Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian at St. James Armenian Church.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
