Der Karekin Kasparian was honored at two significant events commemorating his 50th anniversary of ordination, first at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and then at our St. Gregory the Enlightener church. The gathering on Saturday, presided over by our Primate, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, included family, friends, clergy, seminary students, staff, and trustees. In a touching ceremony at the chapel, Bishop Mesrop bestowed the Ghevont Yeretz medal on Der Karekin on behalf of Catholicos Karekin II and presented him with a Letter of Blessing from the Mother See. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, conveyed his well-wishes, and Bishop Mesrop expressed heartfelt gratitude to Der Karekin.
During the dinner, family members, seminarians, and clergy, including the first seminary graduates Fr. Kevork Arakelian, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, and Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, shared loving memories and appreciation for Der Hayr. The evening was enriched by the presence of Der Hayr’s former parish interns (Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan, Fr. Hagop Gevorkyan, Fr. Arakel Derian, Fr. Sevak Gabrielyan).
On Sunday, following Badarak, parishioners gathered for a heartfelt coffee hour arranged by the Women’s Guild, offering their tributes to Der Hayr.
During Saturday’s service, Der Karekin expressed gratitude to Bishop Mesrop and shared these reflections with the assembled group: “It has been my privilege and great joy to be part of the Armenian Church—not only in the 50 years since my ordination but in the 80 years since I entered the seminary in Antelias. I am deeply grateful that God has blessed me with a long, fulfilling, and healthy life, allowing me to serve others. I never understood why people retire. In fact, I used to say that I saw people retire, lose their purpose, and die. Of course, I was thinking of my own ministry, which I’m pleased to say has continued beyond my retirement as a parish priest. St. Nersess remains, as it has always been, a significant part of my ministry, and I am grateful to Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of the Seminary, for welcoming us here today. I thank him for his years of friendship and leadership, carrying on the legacy of Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you—family, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ—for joining me today to celebrate. This is indeed a momentous occasion, and I am truly blessed to share it with all of you.”
