A Joyful Tribute to Twelve Faithful Servants
On the evening of November 22, nearly 225 guests filled the grand ballroom of Macaluso’s in New Jersey to honor twelve remarkable individuals — three bishops, seven priests, a deacon/music director, and a lay minister — who answered God’s call to serve the Armenian Church after graduating from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, officiated.
Love and joy radiated throughout the room as clergy, honored guests, alumni, faculty, board members, seminarians, summer conference alumni, donors, and friends congratulated the honorees and their families during an abundant cocktail hour.
Dn. Diran Jebejian, the evening’s emcee, warmly welcomed all in attendance before introducing the invocation speaker, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, director of the Karekin I Educational Center in Etchmiadzin. “St. Nersess, my spiritual home, shaped who I am today,” he shared. “Thank you to the Board of Directors and committee members for ensuring our legacy for years to come.”
Dn. Diran next invited Karnig Durgarian, chairman of the seminary Board of Directors, to offer a celebratory champagne toast. Following the toast, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, introduced each honoree by name.
Each honoree rose to enthusiastic applause as Der Mardiros announced them in order of ordination or graduation:
Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian (1990), Bishop Nareg Berberian (1992), Bishop Daniel Findikyan (1997), Fr. Vartan Joulfayan (1998), Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan (2010), Fr. Ghevond Ajamian (2013), Fr. Samuel Rith-Najarian (2014), Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan (2015), Fr. Avedis Kalayjian (2016), Fr. Armash Bagdasarian (2016), Dn. Rubik Mailian (1998), and Maria Derderian (2007).
Each honoree received a beautifully framed illustration of him/herself, hand-drawn in Armenia by artist Hovhannes Yedigaryan.
Der Mardiros also recognized board members, clergy, and former seminary deans and thanked the banquet’s generous underwriters: the Mardigian Family Foundation for underwriting the cocktail hour and dinner; Dean Shahinian, Esq., for funding the commemorative video; Ruth Bedevian and family, in memory of Sarkis Bedevian, for sponsoring honoree travel and lodging; Vicken & Rosette Arslanian for the floral centerpieces; and Kathryn Ashbahian for photographing the event.
Also acknowledged were Dr. Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie, academic dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and his wife, reflecting the 50+ year relationship between the two seminaries. Faculty, staff, and seminarians of St. Nersess were recognized as well.
After dinner, Dn. Diran invited His Grace Bishop Nareg Berberian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Brazil, to offer his remarks. “My heart overflows with gratitude for the institution that has supported me and transformed me,” he shared. “I learned to live the Gospel and what it truly means to serve. The seminary gave me the confidence to speak and listen.”
Next, Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento, CA, offered three pieces of guidance to seminarians: “1. Don’t rush—if God put you there, let Him guide you. 2. Seek advice from others. 3. Don’t be afraid to do the difficult things first.”
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Evanston, IL, reflected, “Everything I am and everything I have become is because of St. Nersess Seminary. The seminary has been stamped on my heart.”
Honoree Maria Derderian, Youth Minister at St. James Armenian Church of Watertown, MA, shared her own inspiring journey. “It is up to us to plant the seeds in future youth ministers and priests. We need more bold leaders, thinkers, and resources,” she proclaimed. “We are all called by God—engaged in making faith relevant.”
Next, educator, speaker, and humorist Dottie Bengoian took to the microphone with her presentation, God’s Gift: Humor and Hope, instantly captivating the room. Invited back a second time, she once again delivered nonstop laughter with her seamless blend of Armenian and English humor. Celebrated as an “ambassador of joy” and the “Armenian queen of comedy,” she embodied both descriptions throughout her performance. Dottie also serves as Administrative Assistant at St. Nersess.
Following her performance, Fr. Mardiros offered reflections on Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan of blessed memory, the founder of St. Nersess. “He had a vision in 1960, with no idea how it would grow beyond Etchmiadzin, Jerusalem, Antelias, and Constantinople. Today St. Nersess is soaring like an eagle—reaching beyond North America as a vital institution that others look to for guidance. Join us in flight and help us grow our mission.”
The audience cheered as event co-chairs Margaret Kachigian Ajamian and Lynn Pinajian Beylerian were recognized for their ten months of dedicated planning and unwavering love for the seminary.
Dn. Diran also recognized Fr. Karekin Kasparian, former seminary dean and longtime faculty member, and read a brief message he sent in his absence: “It has been a great joy of my own ministry to work with you as students and as brothers and sisters in Christ. I congratulate each of you being honored tonight and wish you many more productive and memorable years in God’s service.”
During dessert, guests viewed the premiere of the highly anticipated video, 12 Vocations: Variety of Gifts – One Spirit, shown on screens throughout the ballroom. The film highlighted the honorees’ callings, ministries, and the role St. Nersess played in shaping their vocations.
To conclude the evening, Bishop Mesrop offered the final message and benediction. “One word describes tonight — joy! We are here because Christ whispers, ‘You are important,’” he proclaimed. “St. Nersess continues to be a fountain of faith for all who say ‘yes.’ We thank our twelve honorees, who bring honor to the seminary.”
As guests departed, they took their commemorative booklets featuring honoree biographies and the names of banquet donors.
The “12 Vocations” series will continue to celebrate and give thanks for those who have answered God’s call to serve the Armenian Church.
Click here to view all DONORS in the Banquet Booklet and Addendum
Click here to view PHOTOS by Kathryn Ashbahian
View letter from Bishop Nareg Berberian
