Western Diocese

At the end of July, Fr. Zakria Saribekian, from the St. Thaddeus Armenian Church of Amman, Jordon, arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, with his family to assume his pastoral duties for the Armenian Church of Arizona.

On the occasion of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Church of Scottsdale. Representing the Primate was Diocesan Chancellor Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, who during the Divine Liturgy offered the Primate’s blessings, greetings, and congratulations to the pastor, Parish Council, and faithful. He, presented Fr. Zakaria to the congregation, and performed a service on the occasion of his new appointment.

Fr. Zakaria, in his pledge, read, “…On the occasion of my appointment as pastor of the Armenian Church of Arizona I publicly express my humble commitment to serve God and all the faithful of the Armenian Church.”

Following the service there was a welcome luncheon, during which the Parish Council Chairperson Mrs. Susie Grigoriantz and others expressed their congratulations and welcomed him.