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Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, Welcomes New Pastor

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  • Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, Welcomes New Pastor

    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: www.armenianchurch.net

    February 1, 2010
    ___________________________________________


    HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF CHELTENHAM, PA, WELCOMES NEW PASTOR


    Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
    of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cheltenham,
    Pa., on Sunday, January 17, where some 300 people gathered to officially
    welcome the parish's new pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan.

    Fr. Gevorgyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and Archbishop Barsamian
    delivered the day's sermon, speaking at length about the importance of
    discovering God's call and sharing the story of his personal journey to the
    priesthood. "Serving our church as a clergyman is what I love doing: what I
    want to do," the Primate said. "That feeling of joy and love is what God
    calls each of us to discover, in our own lives."

    "I am overjoyed to help you welcome Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan and Yeretzgin Anna
    to your parish," he said. "I can say that, having watched this young priest
    in his training over the past year, he too is motivated by the conviction
    that pastorship is what he wants to do with his life."

    A graduate of the Vaskenian and Gevorkyan theological seminaries in Armenia,
    Fr. Gevorgyan came to the Eastern Diocese in February 2008, and completed a
    pastoral internship at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in White Plains,
    NY, under the guidance of its pastor, the Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, who
    also attended the welcoming event in Cheltenham.

    Fr. Gevorgyan began serving as the full-time pastor of Holy Trinity Church
    on January 2, 2010. Prior to assuming this position, he spent a year serving
    as the parish's visiting pastor, an experience that helped him build a close
    relationship with the local Armenian community.

    "From my first day in this parish, I have been surrounded by the love and
    welcoming attitude expressed by everyone I met," Fr. Gevorgyan said. "Even
    though I was just a visiting priest and still new to the U.S., I never felt
    alone or insecure, because this community was always ready and willing to
    help."

    Following services on January 17, a welcome luncheon was held featuring
    musical performances and a keynote address by Fr. Karekin Kasparian. Fr.
    Kasparian spoke of the warm relationship he shared with Fr. Gevorgyan while
    mentoring him at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church.

    "We worked as brothers, and he was excellent in all the work we undertook
    together," Fr. Kasparian said. He highlighted Fr. Gevorgyan's patience and
    humility; his dedication to completing the Clinical Pastoral Education
    program at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY; and his commitment to
    other projects at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church.

    "It has been said that great congregations make great ministers," Fr.
    Kasparian said, "and the opposite is also true: that great pastors make
    great congregations."

    He added that Fr. Gevorgyan now faces the challenge of re-energizing the
    Cheltenham parish, which has been without a permanent pastor for more than
    two years. Fr. Kasparian said he would continue to mentor the young priest
    as he takes up this leadership role.

    Already parishioners said they feel a new sense of optimism. "Everybody said
    it was a wonderful event," said parish council chair Merle Santerian, who
    helped organize the luncheon. "They hadn't been to one like that in a long
    time at our church."

    Mrs. Santerian said Fr. Gevorgyan and his young family are a great fit for a
    parish with many young people, and a number of newcomers from Armenia. "We
    are looking forward to many years with him at the helm," she said.

    Another parish council member, Antranig Garibian, and his father, Dr. Garo
    Garibian, surprised Fr. Gevorgyan with a video message from his mother in
    Armenia. The video was prepared for the occasion when the Garibian family
    visited Armenia ahead of last month's celebration.

    The parish also presented Fr. Gevorgyan with a new desk for his work, and a
    Phillie Phanatic (the mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League
    Baseball team) stuffed doll for his son, Narek.

    Other clergy attending the day's program include Archbishop Vicken Aykazian,
    Diocesan Legate; the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, Diocesan Vicar; the
    Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, pastor of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian
    Church of Wynnewood, Pa.; and other Philadelphia-area clergy. Archbishop
    Aykazian delivered the opening prayer; Fr. Najarian gave the benediction.

    "I know I have a big responsibility, and it is an honor to be a priest in
    this parish," Fr. Gevorgyan told the Cheltenham community. "I hope that with
    God's mercy and with your support and love, we can all flourish and enrich
    each other and this parish."

    ###

    Photos attached.

    Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan.,
    the new pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cheltenham, Pa.

    Photo 2: Clergy and altar servers pose for a group photo following the
    celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Armenian Church of
    Cheltenham, Pa., on Sunday, January 17.
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