ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH of Greater Detroit

Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian (1998 – present)
Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian (Priest-in-Residence, 1998)
Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. Vartabed Yeretzian (1993-1997)
Very Rev. Fr. Paren Dz. Vartabed Avedikian (1972-1992)
Very Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Dz. Vartabed Gizirian (1965-1969)
Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian (1958-1972)
Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian (1951-1962)
Very Rev. Fr. Isahag Vartabed Ghazarian (1948-1951)
Rt. Rev. Bishop Sion Manoogian (Vicar General of the Midwest, 1945-1952)
Rev. Fr. Nerses Odian (1941-1947)
Rev. Fr. Vahan Jelalian (1937-1941)
Very Rev. Fr. Vartan Vartabed Kasparian (1934-1937)
Rev. Fr. Atig Dsotsigian (1930-1934)
Very Rev. Fr. Vahram Vartabed Nazaretian (1924-1928)
Rev. Fr. Khachig Kroozian (1922-1924)
Rev. Fr. Bedros Mampreian (intermittently, 1922-1930)
Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Vartabed Nazaretian (1913-1922)

Deacons serving St. John Armenian Church

  Rev. Deacon Mihran Hoplamazian,  Ordained:  December 10, 1995
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Mihran, our most senior deacon, serves as an example and mentor to all the deacons of SJAC.  He is a recipient of the St. Nersess Shnorhali medal from Catholicos Patriarch Karekin II for his years of diaconal service.
 
  Rev. Deacon Richard Norsigian,  Ordained:  December 10, 1995
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Richard currently serves as a Diocesan Delegate and is a former Parish Council Member and Acolyte Instructor at SJAC.

  Rev. Deacon Onnig Boyajian,  Ordained:  December 10, 1995
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Onnig weekly fulfills the role of Proto-Deacon.  As such, he assists Fr. Garabed with the oversight and organization of all Liturgical Services at SJAC.  Dn. Onnig also spends time visiting the sick and elderly in hospitals.

  Rev. Deacon Rubik Mailian,  Ordained:  May 1998
Special Interest and Ministry:  Director of Sacred Music and Pastoral Assistant at St. John Armenian Church.  A graduate of St. Nersess and St. Vladimir Seminaries.  Deacon Mailian has presented many articles and lectures on the subject of Armenian Music especially history, practice and the performance of early Armenian Church Music in the Eastern and Western Diocese of Armenian Church in the United States and in Europe.  His article about Armenian Neumes (Xazer) was published in "The Center of Spirituality East-West" of Michael Lacko in Kosice, Slovakia, periodical in February 2005.  Deacon Mailian is an active member of American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, Sacred Music Council, and the Diocesan Liturgical Committee for the publication of new books.

  Rev. Deacon Shahin Uzunjian, Ordained:  September 10, 2006
Special Interest and Ministry:  Ordained later in life, Dn. Shain is an inspiration to all that it is never too late to serve the Lord.  Dn. Shahin travels monthly to Ann Arbor to offer the Mid-Day Hour Service for the Armenian mission parish there.

  Rev. Deacon Steven Mangigian,  Ordained:  September 10, 2006
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Steve is a Parish Acolyte Instructor and has participated several times at St. Nersess Seminary as an instructer in the Deacon's Training Program.  He also travels with the Diocesan Director of Mission Parishes to assist in their Divine Liturgies.

  Sub-Deacon Lazarus (Ghazaros) Der-Ghazarian, Ordained:  September 10, 2006
Special Interest and Ministry:  Sub-Dn. Ghazaros is the current Parish Acolyte Instructor and co-desinger of the parish website.  His great love and study over the last 15 years has been in the areas of Holy Scripture, Theology, Apologetics, Patristics, Liturgy and Ecumenism.  He is currently engaged in Orthodox theological and ministerial studies.  He is the founder of the Armenian Orthodox Evangelization Mission and some of his theological writings are available on its website:  "Looys Kreesdosee"  www.looys.net   Sdn. Ghazaros' contact info:  derghazar@yahoo.com

  Sub-Deacon Aram Gregory Sarkisian,  Ordained:  September 10, 2006
Special Interest and Ministry:  Sdn. Aram is a 2008 graduate of the University of Michigan and lives in Ann Arbor.  He has traveled to Armenia as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and has served as a counselor for the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Summer Conferences. 

  Sub-Deacon Dr. David Aprahamian,  Ordained:  October 26, 2008
Special Interest and Ministry:  Sdn. David, our newset deacon, also serves as a Parish Council Member as he contiues his diaconal studies.

Our Younger Sub-Deacons away at College: 

Sub-Deacon Nicholas Mangigian

Sub-Deacon Jeffrey Movsesian

Sub-Deacon Jordan Norsigian

Sub-Deacon Stepan Terjimanian