Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan Invited To Serve At The Western Diocese

Throughout the Primacy of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, a number of priests from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and various dioceses around the world have been invited to continue their pastoral service at the Western Diocese.

The Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan is the newest priest who has been invited by the Diocesan Primate to serve at the Western Diocese. With the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Father Yeremia (baptismal name Edvard) arrived in Los Angeles from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on September 10, 2016.

Father Yeremia, will attend a theological university to further his education. Meanwhile, at the Primate’s directive, he will serve as a visiting priest.

We extend a wholehearted welcome to the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan.

Biographical Highlight

Edvard Abgaryan was born on April 20, 1984 in the village of Aghavnatun in Armenia’s Armavir province.

From 1990 to 2001 he attended school #3 in Metsamor. From 2002 to 2004, Edvard served in the Armenian Armed Forces.

In 2004, he was admitted to the Gevorgian Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. On December 25, 2008, the Feast of St. Stephen the Protodeacon, he was ordained as a deacon by H.E. Abp. Ararat Kaltakjyan.  

Deacon Edvard graduated from the Gevorgian Theological Seminary in 2010 with a Master of Arts degree. On October 31, 2010, he was ordained as a celibate priest by Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and was given the priestly name Yeremia.

From 2010 to 2011 he has served as the secretary at the Church and State Relationship Department of the Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He headed the department from 2011 to 2015.