Honoring Fr. Mardiros Chevian
On Sunday, May 11, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, was invited by Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, Providence, RI, to be the guest celebrant as the parish is currently without a full-time pastor. This parish is Der Mardiros’ home parish where he grew up. It also happen to be the 40th Anniversary of Der Hayr’s ordination to the holy priesthood (actual date May 12), making it symbolic and special.
During Hokehankist, Der Mardiros remembered two additional names: Abp. Torkom Manoogian, former Primate of the Eastern Diocese and Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was his ordaining bishop; and Fr. Haik Donikian, the parish priest of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob during his childhood, who led him to the priesthood and encouraged him to attend his first St. Nersess summer conference in Evanston, IL.
A surprise reception to celebrate this milestone followed the Divine Liturgy, where a letter of congratulations from Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, was read. The parish marked the occasion with a very generous gift to establish the Der Mardiros Chevian Deacons Training Program/Jerusalem Fund. Fundraising for this new fund will take place later in the year.
