|
Reverend Father Garabed Kochakian:
Reverend Father Garabed Kochakian is presently Pastor of St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit, where he has been serving since 1998. Prior to this pastoral assignment, he was the Diocesan Chancellor and Ecumenical Officer (1992-98) of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. He served as the Pastor of Saint Mesrob Armenian Church in Racine, Wisconsin from 1982-1992, and the pastorate at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1974-1982, first as Deacon-in-Charge (1974-75), then as Assistant Pastor and Pastor (1976-82).
Father Garabed, born in Salem, Massachusetts, studied at the Vesper George School of Art and the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts for three years after which he continued his undergraduate education at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York and graduated with a BA degree in Classical Languages. While attending Iona, he was enrolled at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York.
As part of his seminary training, Father Garabed spent the summer of 1970 at the Monastery of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, studying Armenian language and church history. Upon his return from Armenia, he was matriculated as a Master of Divinity candidate at St. Vladimir’s. While pursuing his graduate degree in Eastern Orthodox Theology, he worked extensively with the Diocesan Department of Religious Education conducting teacher training workshops and writing materials for Church School Christian Education.
In 1973, upon presentation of his thesis “Religious Art in Armenian Theology” he graduated with a Masters of Divinity from St. Vladimir’s. In 1973-74, he attended the Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus to complete his course of study in Armenological subjects. From Cyprus, Father Garabed completed studies at the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate of St. James in Jerusalem, prior to his return to the United States. In May 1999, Father Kochakian received a Master’s Degree in Art History from the University of Wisconsin with a specialization in Armenian Art and Architecture.
Among his Diocesan activities aside from parish responsibilities, he served on the Central Council of the Diocesan Choir Association, instructed young people at the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary’s Summer Conferences, as well as adults at the Edward and Helen Mardigian Christian Education Institute. As Ecumenical Officer, he represented the Armenian Church in ecumenical activities and meetings on many occasions. He represented the Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America on the National Council of Churches General Board for over twenty years. He currently serves on the National Bilaterial Consultation of the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and is a member of the Standing Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the U.S.A.
In November 2001, Fr. Kochakian was elevated to the rank of archpriest on the occasion of the 25th anniversary his ordination to the holy priesthood, by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
In an effort to educate the faithful about the Armenian Church, Fr. Kochakian has authored many publications including church school manuals for the Diocesan Christian Education Department, a series of tracts on the hymns of the Divine Liturgy, and other publications, including The Four Minor Orders, The Sacraments: The Symbols of Our Faith, Bless, O Lord – Services of Blessing in the Armenian Church, We Believe-10th Grade Church School Students and Teacher’s Manual, Art in the Armenian Church, Origins and Teachings, all published by Vartan Press. He also authored Armenian Portraits of Faith, an explication of Armenian art and theology, published by Hill & Hill and St. Mesrob Armenian Church. In 2001, St. John Armenian Church published his booklet entitled, The Armenian Church in the World Today, which examines for the layman ecumenism and the similarities and differences among the beliefs and practices of various Christian denominations and the Armenian Church.
In addition to his professional and ecumenical activities, Fr. Garabed holds membership in many Armenian and non-Armenian academic societies and commissions.
Rev. Kochakian still finds time to devote to painting Armenian Illuminations and Icons for churches, and also lectures on Armenian Art and Illuminated Manuscripts demonstrating this ancient art process and technique. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Diocesan Ecclesiastical Arts and Architecture Commission, an advisory group which provides guidance and expertise for new church construction within the Diocese.
Father Garabed is married to Roberta Carman Kochakian and resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
|