Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian
(1930-2026)
The Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian (1930-2026) was born in Aleppo, Syria, and given the baptismal name Hovannes. He graduated from the Armenian Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon, and later continued his education in America, at the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, MA, graduating in 1955 with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1957, Fr. Karekin received a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School, and went on to complete three additional years of graduate study at Boston University School of Theology in the doctoral program in psychology and pastoral counseling.
At the behest of the late Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, he was the pioneering figure in the Eastern Diocese’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, which went on to become a required course for every seminarian preparing for the priesthood.
Beginning in 1962, Fr. Karekin served St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in a variety of capacities, including assistant to the dean, vocational director, administrator, instructor, and dean. From 1963 to 1978, he organized and directed, in both the Eastern and Western dioceses, the St. Nersess Summer Study Seminars for young people and adults, and the deacons training programs.
In the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Fr. Karekin pioneered the St. Nersess and ACYOA HAVAD mission programs to the homeland, which prospered through Armenia’s rebirth as an independent republic.
Fr. Karekin served for 10 years as an assistant to the pastor at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA. He was also a deacon-in-charge at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, for five years. In 1974, he began his service as pastor of the St. James parish of Westchester, NY, and led the community as it built its own church, consecrated in 1998 as St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains. There, Fr. Karekin served as a full-time pastor until his retirement in 2014.
For the ensuing decade Fr. Karekin was a greatly revered and loved senior priest of the Eastern Diocese, admired throughout the worldwide Armenian Church.
Fr. Karekin Kasparian passed away on April 29, 2026. He is survived by his devoted wife, Yn. Dawn, and two daughters, Meline and Lori, and their families.