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: <mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected]
Website: <;
June 12, 2009
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WORCESTER’S ARMENIAN CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR CELEBRATES PASTOR’S MILESTONE
Some 430 people gathered at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester,
Mass. on Sunday, June 7, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ordination
of their pastor, the Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the day’s events, which began with the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy by Fr. Terzian and included a banquet
featuring guest speakers, musical performances, and a special video
presentation prepared by the parish.
"This year our Diocese is observing its ‘Year of Vocations,’ and as we seek
out new souls to train for the priesthood, we also need to honor those who
made the choice to take up our Lord’s pastoral staff, and who continue to
carry it forward, with honor and dignity," the Primate said. "You are
blessed in this parish to have a wonderful example of such a pastor in Fr.
Aved Terzian."
Archbishop Barsamian presented Fr. Terzian with an encyclical issued by His
Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
The Catholicos bestowed upon Fr. Terzian the title of "avak kahana," or
archpriest.
The Primate recalled his own pastorate at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour
upon his arrival in the Eastern Diocese, and spoke about meeting Fr. Terzian
when he was still a deacon serving at the Diocesan Center in New York.
"I have known Der Aved for many years now, and it was a blessed day when he
chose to answer the call of our Lord a quarter-century ago," Archbishop
Barsamian said.
‘A Process of Growth’
Fr. Terzian is the longest serving pastor of the Armenian Church of Our
Saviour. Born in Turkey, he first began serving the Armenian Church as an
acolyte at the Holy Resurrection Church in Istanbul.
When he turned 14, Fr. Terzian enrolled at the St. James Monastery of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, an education that was later supplemented
by his work in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
He said he knew by his early 20s that he was going to be a priest.
"In this materialistic, spiritually void society around us, we tend to
define every task as a job," he said. "I never looked at the priesthood as a
job. I looked at it as a Christian journey, a process of growth."
At the invitation of then-Primate Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the young
Onnig Terzian traveled to New York in 1975. He was ordained to the deaconate
and continued his studies at Concordia College and the General Theological
Seminary, where he earned his Master’s in Divinity Degree in 1982.
Fr. Terzian began serving the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester
after his graduation. In his 25 years at the parish, Fr. Terzian has helped
organize a number of large-scale events, including in 1991 the 100th
anniversary celebration of the establishment of the first Armenian Church in
America, and the 1988 Armenian earthquake relief effort.
He is also known for reaching out to the larger Worcester community. He has
offered crisis counseling at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, advised the
dean of students at Clark University, and served on the City Manager’s
Coalition on Bias and Hate, among other initiatives.
Parishioners say Fr. Terzian inspires others to dedicate their time and
talents to the Armenian Church.
"He brings you in," said Edward Atamian, chair of the 25th Anniversary
Committee. "He is an inspiration, and makes people like me and so many other
parishioners want to get involved with church activities."
In honor of his silver anniversary of ordination, Fr. Terzian requested that
the parish establish a memorial fund to help sponsor annual Armenian
cultural events, ranging from lectures to plays and concerts. Named the "Fr.
Aved Terzian Memorial Endowment Fund," it has already raised more than
$27,000.
A Grand Celebration
Fr. Terzian’s many accomplishments were highlighted during Sunday’s banquet
at the church’s Cultural Center.
A 20-minute video prepared by the parish focused on his many contributions
to church life and featured short messages from various church
organizations.
Sunday School students and other parishioners also offered musical
performances, and deacons presented Fr. Terzian with a set of vestments – a
gift from the entire parish community.
Worcester Mayor Konstantina Lukes read a proclamation congratulating Fr.
Terzian. In addition, proclamations had been prepared by Congressman James
McGovern, Massachusetts State Senator Harriette Chandler, and State
Representative John Fresolo.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, President of the National Council of Churches
and Legate of the Eastern Diocese, spoke about his close friendship with Fr.
Terzian. Also making remarks was the Rev. Fr. Carnig Hallajian. Archbishop
Yeghishe Gizirian, who has served as pastor at the Armenian Church of Our
Saviour, delivered the opening prayer.
Yn. Vivian Terzian thanked the parish for embracing her family, and asked
members of parish organizations to rise as she described their involvement
in the church.
An anniversary cake weighing 400 pounds – catered by a Rhode Island bakery –
added to the day’s festivities.
"It took four of us, four men, to get it into the hall," Mr. Atamian said.
"And it was a struggle."
He added that a generous donation by Margaret Zakarian helped underwrite the
banquet expenses. Mrs. Zakarian made a surprise contribution of $10,000 in
memory of her late husband, Asbed Zakarian, who had served as a mentor to
Fr. Terzian.
Fr. Terzian thanked the day’s organizing committee and said he was
appreciative of the support extended by friends and family.
"I was honored by their presence and show of their love," he said. "It was a
wonderful event."
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: The Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian cuts the anniversary cake presented on
the occasion of his 25th anniversary of ordination.
Photo 2: Sunday School students perform at the anniversary celebration in
Worcester.
Photo 3: The Rev. Fr. Carnig Hallajian reads the pontifical encyclical
issued on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev.
Fr. Aved Terzian. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the day’s
celebration.
Photo 4: Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, President of the National Council of
Churches and Legate of the Eastern Diocese, spoke about his close friendship
with Fr. Terzian.
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