This week marked the end of an era at the Diocesan Center in New York, as the Executive Secretary in the Office of the Primate, Mary Berberian Petrossian, retired from her many years of loyal service to the Armenian Church and the Armenian-American community.
Mary worked at the Diocesan Center for just shy of 40 years, and led the Primate’s Office for 30. She served the Diocese during the tenures of three Diocesan Primates: Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, and Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan. And she witnessed the eras of three Catholicoi of All Armenians—His Holiness Vasken I, His Holiness Karekin I, and His Holiness Karekin II—all of whom knew Mary and respected the role she has played in the Diocese.
That role was critical to the administration of the church and its interactions with local parishes, community figures, and leaders of our civic and national life in America. Mary executed her duties with true professionalism, and proved herself a person of great integrity and trustworthiness—as well as a calming, graceful presence at all times.
To her colleagues she was a warmhearted friend, who encouraged and cheered them through the professional and personal paths of their lives. It was in the presence of those friends—the clergy and staff of the Diocesan headquarters—that Mary said farewell on January 31, during a reception in her honor. In that family-like atmosphere, we bestowed our warm blessings on Mary, and expressed our deepest gratitude for her years of tireless service. May our Lord strengthen our dear Mary, and give her long days of health and happiness.
I am very happy to announce here that the duties of Secretary to the Primate have been assumed by Anna Ghazaryan, a very capable person in whom we have the highest confidence. Her contacts in the Primate’s Office will continue to be (212) 686-0710, ext. 130, and prmoff@armeniandiocese.org. Please join us in welcoming Anna to our Diocesan family, and wishing her all the best in her new role.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Primate