Vicar Fr. Anania Vartabed Tsaturyan Visits Ararat & Masis Cemeteries

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 – 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 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.