Archbishop Paren Avedikian
Archbishop Paren Avedikian (baptismal name Haroutioun) was born in 1939 in Beirut, Lebanon. He received his primary education in local Armenian schools in Beirut; following which he entered the Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia; then the Independent Dprevank in Beit Mery, Lebanon.
In 1957, he entered the Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where he completed his theological education.
On February 07, 1960, following his graduation from the Seminary, he was ordained a celibate priest by His Eminence Archbishop Souren Kembajian, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jeruselem; and given the priestly name of Paren.
Fr. Paren joined the staff of the St. Tarkmanchatz (Holy Translators) Elementary and High School; and from 1961 to 1963, he was the Director of the school.
In 1963, Fr. Paren departed for the United States to further his education.
In 1964, at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Sion Manoogian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; Fr. Paren assumed pastoral service in the United States. He has served as Pastor of the Armenian Churches in several communities: St. Paul Armenian Church of Syracuse, New York (1964-1967); St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Washington, D.C.(1967 – 1969); St. John Armenian Church , Southfield, Michigan (assistant pastor), 1969-1972, parish priest (1972-1996); as well as Binghamton, New York; and Chicago, Illinois.
In 1967, Fr. Paren received the rank of Archimandrite (Vardapet) by His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoogian. In the same year, he was elected to serve as a Diocesan Council Member of the Eastern Diocese of North America of the Armenian Church.
In 1964, upon the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Sion Manoogian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of North America of the Armenian Church, he served as the Pastor in the following Armenian Churches in the United States:
From 1964 to 1967, he served as a Pastor in the St. Paul Armenian Church in Syracuse (New York);
From 1967 to 1969, he served in the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Washington;
From 1969 to 1972, he served as a Pastor; and from 1972 to 1996, he served as a Parish Priest in the St. John Church in Southfield, Michigan.
He also served as a pastor in Binghamton, New York, and Chicago, Illinois.
In 1968, Fr. Paren earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Syracuse, where he majored in philosophy and sociology. Continuing his studies at the same university, Fr. Paren earned a Master’s Degree.
During his years of service at the St. John Armenian Church in Southfield Michigan; Fr. Paren was instrumental in creating the collection of the Alex & Marie Manoogian Museum in Southfield, Michigan.
In 1975, he received the rank of Senior Archimandrite (Dzayraguyn Vardapet).
From 1977 to 1999, he was chosen to serve as a Member of the Union Committee of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
In 1996, he moved to Armenia and was appointed to serve as Vicar General of the Diocese of Shirak.
On September 17, 2000, in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, he was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop by His Holiness Karekin II and was appointed to serve as the Director of the Museums of the Mother See.
From 2007 to 2011, Archbishop Paren was appointed to serve as the Director of the Human Resources Department.
In 2011, Archbishop Paren retired from active service.
On September 17, 2013, on the Feast of the Holy Cross, during a Pontifical Divine Liturgy; His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; elevated His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian, a member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, to the rank of Archbishop for his devoted service and many years of efforts in the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
On January 15, 2017, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; awarded His Eminence the “St. Gregory the Illuminator” Order of Honor, for his many years of service to the Armenian Church.
