On Sunday, March 20, Deacon Gregory Krikorian received the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal for his lifelong dedication to the Armenian Church.
The medal and its accompanying pontifical encyclical—among the highest honors granted to laymen in the Armenian Church—were bestowed on Dn. Gregory by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan formally presented the medal to the honoree during his visit to Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. The Primate was accompanied by Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian.
Bishop Daniel arrived on Friday, March 19, 2022, for a parish visit. He and parish pastor Fr. Vasken Kouzouian began the visit with a dinner gathering Holy Trinity’s deacons, altar servers, and church leaders.
On Saturday morning, the parish Bible Study group met for a “Breakfast with the Bishop,” enjoying an informal and interactive discussion and fellowship. Saturday evening began with an Evening Worship Service, followed by a reception of some 60 parishioners to formally begin a weekend of celebrating Holy Trinity’s senior deacon. The reception was a welcome opportunity to come together, allowing representatives of the parish council, Diocesan delegates, Sunday and Armenian school staff, choir, the Youth Leadership Team, ACYOA Seniors, and altar servers to welcome Bishop Daniel.
A Legacy of Leadership
On Sunday, 250 people filled Holy Trinity’s sanctuary for the special medal presentation. The service was celebrated by Fr. Vasken, and presided over by the Primate, who preached a sermon on the Parable of the Steward. At its conclusion, the Pontifical Encyclical awarding this honor to Dn. Gregory was read by Fr. Odabashian.
Dn. Gregory Krikorian was then officially presented the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal. He was ordained into the diaconate in 1983, by the hand of then-Diocesan Primate Archbishop Torkom Manoogian. Since that day, Dn. Gregory has served with reverence and devotion, always respectful of the honor of standing before the Lord’s Altar, mindful of those who taught him along the way, and instilling a passion and love into the young adults who join him in his ministry of service.
Following church services, a reception was held in Dn. Gregory Krikorian’s honor. Past recipients of pontifical medals from Holy Trinity parish were represented by their descendants holding medals and encyclicals awarded to their parents or grandparents over the years. Departed recipients who were remembered on the occasion included: Ann Hintlian, Gregory Archie Kolligian, John Soursourian, Daniel Dorian Sr., Dr. Michael Kolligian, the Honorable George Keverian (former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives), and George Hagopian.
Also, medal recipients Nevart Talanian, George Haroutunian, and Kevork and Jacqueline Atinizian all attended the reception wearing their individual pontifical awards.
“Seeing first-hand the sea of encyclicals and medals enter the reception was particularly impressive for us all, as it bore witness to the leadership the parishioners of this community have always provided to the Diocese at large, and locally to our home parish,” said Fr. Vasken. “It was a powerful moment to see all the former recipients, and the descendants of former recipients, usher Dn. Gregory and the honored guests into Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. That moment created a visual tapestry of past and present parish leadership in the minds of all.”
The entire Holy Trinity Church family warmly congratulates Dn. Gregory on this richly deserved honor and looks forward to his continued and selfless devotion to the parish.
Click here to view photos of the weekend.