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BIOGRAPHY
The Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian was born in Iran on May 1, 1966, under the baptismal name of Alvand. In 1972, he emmigrated to Armenia with his family and settled in the city of Echmiadzin.
From 1972-1982 he received his primary and secondary education at St. Mesrob Mashtots School. |
In 1982 he was called to serve in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and following in the steps of his beloved grandfather, the Reverend Father Meguerditch Zargarian, he started his studeis at the Kevorkian Seminary in Holy Echmiadzin.
From 1984-1986 young Alvand served in the Soviet Army. In 1988, he successfully graduated with honours from the Seminary and was ordained Deacon in the Mother See of Etchmiadzin by His Eminence Archbishop Housig Santourian. From 1988 to 1991, under the fatherly supervision of His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of all Armenians, the newly ordained deacon became executive secretary of the Catholicosate.
In 1991, Deacon Alvand exchanged wedding vows with Naira Samvelian at St. Hripsime Church, Etchmiadzin. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, celebrated the wedding rite. That same year, Archbishop Derderian invited Deacon Alvand to serve at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Montreal as Assistant to the Pastor. In 1992, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian ordained Deacon Alvand to the sacred priesthood. As is customary in the Armenian Church, he was given a new name to signify a new life, and was renamed “Zareh”.
In 1993, Father Zareh Zargarian was appointed Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Montreal.
In 1996 following the request of Toronto Parish Council, the Primate appointed him Pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Toronto. During Father Zargarian’s ministry in Toronto, Holy Trinity church has grown significantly spiritually, socially and financially. Today over 30 auxiliary bodies and committees are actively involved in the life of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church under the leadership of Father Zargarian.
Father Zargarian speaks Armenian, English, Russian and French languages.
God has blessed Father Zareh and Yeretsgin Naira with three sons: Nareg, Aren and Araz.
Achievements
1995 - Received the honour of wearing the flowered (Dzaghgia) cloak.
2000 - Received the honour of wearing the purple (Manishagakouyn) cloak.
2001 - In recognition of his devoted service to the Armenians and Canadians The Governor General of Canada presented him with the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal.
2002 - In recognition of his dedicated service to the Armenian Church, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, elevated him to the rank of Archpriest (Avak Kahana).
2007 - Graduated from St. Augustine Catholic Seminary, affiliated with the University of Toronto and received his Master of Theological Studies degree.
2007 - 15th Anniversary of ordination received the Encyclical (Kontak) of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Ecumenical Relations
Besides his busy Pastoral duties, Fr. Zargarian is very involved in Ecumenical Relations: Since 1998, he has been one of the members of the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches, representing the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada. In 1999, he was one of the founding members of the Toronto Council of Churches, and in 2000, Fr. Zargarian was one of the founding members of the Toronto Council of Orthodox Churches.