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. Bedros Mampreian (intermittently, 1922-1930)
Rev. Fr. Khachig Kroozian (1922-1924)
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 a mentor to the rest of our deacons and as an example of faith, wisdom and dedication to our entire parish.  Dn. Mihran received the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal, from Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II, for his many years of faithful diaconal service to the Armenian Church.
 
  Rev. Deacon Richard Norsigian,  Ordained:  December 10, 1995
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Richard currently serves as a Diocesan Delegate.  He has served our parish for many years as a Parish Council Member and parish acolyte instructor.

  Rev. Deacon Onnig Boyajian,  Ordained:  December 10, 1995
Special Interest and Ministry:  Dn. Onnig fulfills the role of Proto-Deacon on a weekly basis.  As such, he assists Fr. Garabed with the oversight and organization of all Liturgical Services at SJAC.  Dn. Onnig often spends time visiting the sick and elderly in hospitals and currently leads a class of senior acolytes in poorvar (incensing) instruction.

  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 has served as 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.

   Rev. 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. 

  Rev. Sub-Deacon Dr. David Aprahamian,  Ordained:  October 26, 2008
Special Interest and Ministry:  Sdn. David is the current parish acolyte instructer for beginners and has served in many ways including as a Parish Council Member.

Our Younger Sub-Deacons away at college (or in transition): 

Sub-Deacon Nicholas Mangigian

Sub-Deacon Jeffrey Movsesian

Sub-Deacon Jordan Norsigian

Sub-Deacon Stepan Terjimanian