FRESNO – The newly appointed Vicar, The Very Rev. Fr. Anania Vartabed Tsaturyan, of the Central Valley, visited the Ararat and Masis Armenian Cemeteries on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, with the desire to recite the requiem Hokvots prayer on the graves of deceased priests and notable Armenians interred there.
Hayr Anania requested to visit the Armenian cemeteries of Fresno, knowing that Deacon Allan Yeghia Jendian, Diocesan Archivist of Priests Data, has documented where priests have been interred.
Hayr Soorp was recently named Vicar of the Central Valley by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.
Priest 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 Notables Graves Visited:
- Seropian Brothers – 1st 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 1984 in Ashtarak, Aragadzotn, Republic of Armenia. He is a graduate of the Gevorgyan Seminary and was ordained a celibate priest in 2009 by His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, called Hayr Anania to serve as his Staff Bearer and Director of the Department of Protocol Service, a position he held for eleven years.
Parishes within California’s Central Valley are St. Paul, Fresno; St. Gregory, Fowler; St. Mary, Yettem; Sts. Sahag-Mesrob, Reedley; and Holy Cross, Turlock. We wish Hayr Soorp fruitful service as Vicar to the Lord’s vineyard in the San Joaquin Valley.
