South Florida Armenian Community Celebrates Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian’s 20^th Anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood

H.E. Archbishop Barsamian Ordains New Deacons at St. David Armenian Church

Boca Raton, FL – On Saturday, January 21, around 250 members of the south Florida Armenian-American community gathered in Mardigian Hall at St. David Armenian Church to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian’s ordination to the Holy priesthood. The celebratory banquet was widely attended by hundreds of Florida Armenians from across the state and many religious dignitaries from around the United States.

Guests enjoyed an eloquent and entertaining banquet over a fine three-course dinner, remarks from religious dignitaries and musical performances from local Armenian talents. Presiding over the banquet was His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in New York. Joining him was H.E. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Church of America in Washington, DC, Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, Rev. Fr. Mempre Kouzouian from Boston, Massachusets, Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfyan of St. Mary Armenian Church in Cooper City, Florida, Rev. Fr. Nerses Jebejian, and Rabbi Robert Silvers of B’nai Israel Synagogue in Boca Raton and local clergy. Taniel Koushakjian, founder of Florida Armenians (www.FLArmenians.com), served as Master of Ceremonies.

Kicking off the program was Carol Norigian, Banquet Commemorative Committee Chair, who expressed her deep appreciation to Fr. Berberian and noted his hard work and many achievements over his decade-long tenure in the south Florida parish. Norigian spoke on behalf of committee members Beatrice Babgouni, Nadia Isguzar, Maral Kazandjian, Armen Melkonian, Rose Reynolds, Claudette Sarian, Nina Stapan, and Rose Tatarian who organized the evening’s festivities. Norigian also presented Fr. Nareg with a beautiful replicable Noah’s Ark, sent by renowned Armenian artist and designer Michael Aram, for his many accomplishments at St. David Armenian Church.

Several local talents performed for the packed hall to celebrate in Hayr Sourp Berberian’s 20 years of service in the Holy priesthood. St. David ACYOA talents Alique Mazmanian and Ani Manvelyan each sang Armenian songs and Alique joined Alex Crossley for a duet. Arman Avedyan, also from St. David ACYOA, inspired the crowd with his powerful performance of the classic Armenian opera Nessun Dorma. Later in the evening, St. Mary ACYOA violinist Sage McBride beautifully performed Aram Khatchadourian’s Groong. Following was local award-winning pianist Hratch Boghossian, who brought the crowd to its feet with his spectacular performance.

Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian with family and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian

Highlighting the banquet was the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian, who stated, “Today, I feel elated to have such a wonderful community, all of whom I value as my friends. It is unbelievable that 20 years have passed since my Ordination into the Holy Order of Priesthood, and ten years since you embraced me as your spiritual leader, your Pastor, here at St. David Armenian Church.” Fr. Nareg continued, “You are the Church, you are the mission, you are the ministry. Without you there would be no priesthood, without you there would be no vision. Thank you for making a positive difference in my life. God is working through each and every one of us. Let’s glorify His name and thank Him for bringing us closer to Him through the ministry of His Church.”

Fr. Nareg was also joined by his family who flew all the way from California. His niece, Joelle Awad, spoke eloquently about Fr. Nareg on behalf of his family. In addition, a special video message and film, showcasing photos of Hayr Nareg’s early life, was featured and is available below.

Concluding the banquet’s program was remarks from H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. His Eminence spoke warmly about his friendly and professional relationship with Fr. Nareg, and reflected on his many years of service, having himself ordained Hayr Nareg twenty years ago. On behalf of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Barsamian presented Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Berberian with an award for his two-decade service to God and the Armenian-American community. Archbishop Barsamian’s passionate remarks and uplifting spirit was a wonderful conclusion to the evening’s celebration.

Then, on Sunday, January 22, H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian led Archishop Vicken Aykazian, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian, Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, Rev. Fr. Nersess Jebejian and the south Florida Armenian-American community in Divine Liturgy (Holy Badarak). During Badarak, Archbishop Barsamian ordained two young St. David altar servers, Arlen Avedyan as a Deacon, and Gregory Merjian as Sub-Deacon, in the Armenian Church.

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Photo Caption 1 (L-R): Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nareg Berberian with family and H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in New York, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Church in Washington, DC