The newly appointed Diocesan Vicar of the Central Valley, The Very Rev. FR. Anania Vartabed Tsaturyan, visited the Ararat and Masis Armenian Cemeteries on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, with the desire to recite a Requiem ‘Hokvots’ Prayer on the graves of the deceased priests and notable Armenians interned there-in.

Hayr Anania, knowing Deacon Allan Yeghia Jendian, Diocesan Archivist of Priests Data, has documented where priests have been interned, requested to visit the Armenian cemeteries in Fresno.

Hayr Soorp was recently named the Vicar of the Central Valley by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese.

Priests Graves visited:                                                                                                   Eternal Rest

• Very Rev. Fr. Ahron Vartabed Melchonian                                                                1911
• Rev. Fr. Hamazasp Kahana Sarkisian                                                                      1915
• Rev. Fr. Melkeset Kahana Der Mugrdechian                                                            1919
• Rev. Fr. Mampre Kahana Peltegian                                                                          1926
• Very Rev. Fr. Dirair Dz. Vartabed Markarian                                                             1932
• Rev. Fr. Parsegh Kahana Torosian                                                                           1934
• Rev. Fr. Besag Avak Kahana Sarkisian                                                                     1979
• Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Avak Kahana Mekhitarian                                                             1985
• Rev. Fr. Krikor Avak Kahana Hairabedian                                                                  1997
• Rev. Fr. Kourken Avak Kahana Yaralian                                                                    1998
• Rev. Fr. Papken Avak Kahana Kasparian                                                                  1999
• Rev. Fr. Sahag Avak Kahana Andekian                                                                      1999
• Rev. Fr. Vartan Avak Kahana Dulgarian                                                                      2009
• Rev. Fr. Yeghia Avak Kahana Hairabedian                                                                 2019
• Rev. Fr. Hrant Kahana Serabian                                                                                 2022

Armenian Notable Graves Visited:

• Seropian Brothers – 1^st Fresno Settlers                                                                 1881
• Unknown Genocide Remains from Der Zor                                                            1915
• Haigag Eguinian – Father, US Armenian Press                                                      1932
• Soghomon Tehlirian – Patriotic Hero                                                                       1960
• William Saroyan – Fresno’s Native Son                                                                  1981
• Varaz Samuelian – Artist & Sculptor                                                                        1995

Hayr Anania, a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, was born in Ashtarak, in the State of Aragatsotn, Republic of Armenia in 1984. He is a graduate of the Gevorgyan Seminary and was ordained a celibate priest in 2009 by His Brace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan.

By the Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Hayr Anania was called to served as the Staff Bearer of the Catholicos and as the Director of the Department of Protocol Service, a position he held for some eleven years.

Parishes within the Central Valley are St. Paul Armenian Church (Fresno); St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church (Fowler); St. Mary Armenian Church (Yettem); Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Church (Reedley) and Holy Cross Armenian Church (Turlock). We wish Hayr Soorp a fruitful tour of duty as Vicar in the San Joaquin Valley.

Photo Caption:

Hayr Anania Vartabed Tsaturyan and Deacon Allan Yeghia Jendian at the Soghomon Tehlirian Monument in Masis Ararat Cemetery of Fresno