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“We are all responsible for adding links to the long spiritual chain of the Armenian Church,” said the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, during a special banquet in his honor.  “It’s a chain which goes far back, but also must continue to go forward.”

The occasion for the remarks was the 25th anniversary of Fr. Chevian’s ordination to the priesthood, and his elevation to the rank of avak kahana (high priest).

Well over 300 people—including numerous clergymen, family, friends, colleagues, and many others who have been touched by Fr. Chevian’s ministry—gathered in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium at the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) to celebrate this pastoral milestone.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Diocesan Primate, presided over the day’s events, which began with the Divine Liturgy in St. Vartan Cathedral—where Fr. Chevian serves as dean—and culminated in the celebratory banquet.

Fr. Chevian himself celebrated the Divine Liturgy, in the course of which the Primate presented an encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, granting Fr. Chevian the rank of avak kahana. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian read the Pontifical Encyclical to the congregation.

On the same occasion, the Primate blessed the newly-elected members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Council.

Archbishop Barsamian delivered a sermon focusing on vocations and God’s calling to serve the church. He cited Fr. Chevian as an excellent example of someone who heard God’s call and took up the life of a devoted clergy.

“Let me say that when people ask what it means to be a servant of Christ, and a pastor of his church, there is no better answer than to point to Der Mardiros,” the Primate said.

Ministry Beyond One’s Lifetime

Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for the banquet, Melanie Dadourian reflected on the first time she met the honoree, when she attended a summer conference at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.  Fr. Chevian was the seminary’s rector at the time, and meeting him helped shape and strengthen Ms. Dadourian’s own spirituality.

“Fr. Mardiros has a gift for reaching the youth,” she said. “And his commitment to the church made me want to serve.”

Archbishop Gizirian, the former Primate of Great Britain, spoke eloquently in Armenian about the importance of the high rank of dean of the cathedral, and how Fr. Chevian has fulfilled his duties in the position to the fullest extent and beyond.

“In the past seven years, I have been present at the cathedral’s liturgical services and I have seen organization and order,” said Archbishop Gizirian.  “I’m very happy to join you at this joyous event, where we honor a priest who knows his responsibility and recognizes his calling.”

Shedding light on Fr. Chevian as a dedicated father and husband, his daughters Alexandra and Kristina spoke about the importance of their father in their life and the special memories they have created together.

Remarks were also made by Nubar Kupelian and Elise Antreassian Bayizian on behalf of the Diocesan staff. Both Kupelian and Bayizian congratulated Fr. Mardiros on his elevation and on his 25th anniversary as an ordained priest. They reflected on their first encounters and shared anecdotes about working alongside Fr. Mardiros at the Diocesan Center throughout the years.

Reflecting on his 25 years of service to the Armenian Church, Fr. Chevian said it was a moment for him to think beyond himself and his ministry and to ensure that the future ranks of the priesthood of the Armenian Church would be filled.

“Each of us is responsible for finding that person, those persons, who will follow in our footsteps,” he said. “We shouldn’t have the audacity to think that our ministry begins and ends with us. The effect of our ministry and work must go beyond.”

Fr. Chevian singled out the seminarians present at the banquet and told them that they would be the ones to follow the present generation of clergymen. He stressed the importance of being committed and bold in one’s ministry.

“I want to be sitting out there in 10, 20, 25 years from now—seeing you up here. Seeing you having left your mark; you having made a difference; you having assured that there will be others following you,” said Fr. Chevian. “That is my dream, and that is my prayer.”

He stressed the important role of both lay people and the clergy in safeguarding the future growth of the Armenian Church.

“Each one of you is responsible for our church and its future, and for the future of the priesthood of our church,” said Fr. Chevian. “Do your part in that.”

A Fulfilled Life as a Pastor

In his message, Archbishop Barsamian said Fr. Mardiros hds served as a wonderful role model for many young Armenians in the United States for more than two decades.

The Primate spoke about the recent history of the Armenian Church of America and about Fr. Chevian’s long involvement in St. Nersess Seminary, which influenced many young people to become more involved in the Armenian Church. He noted that many of those young people were now leaders in the Armenian Church on both a parish and Diocesan level.

“In his example, others have been able to picture themselves leading a fulfilled life as a pastor, a deacon, or a servant of the Armenian Church,” said the Primate. “This Diocese has received a tremendous benefit from the ministry of Der Mardiros.”

Guests had come to the 25th anniversary event from as far away as Illinois, Rhode Island, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and even Jerusalem.  In addition, congratulatory letters were read throughout the program from clergy and lay people who were unable to attend.

Well-wishing messages were read from Archbishop Nourhan Manougian (Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Archbishop Avak Asadourian (Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq), and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America).

A congratulatory toast was made by Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, vice chair of the Diocesan Council. Welcoming remarks were made by event co-chairs Shakeh Kadehjian and Avedis Ohannessian.

A video montage of congratulatory greetings from clergy and lay people was also screened at the banquet.

The musical entertainment for the afternoon included vocal performances by Hasmik Mekhanejian and the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the leadership of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. The musical program also included performances by violinist Sami Merdinian and pianist Sofya Melikyan.