St.Vartan Church

Early Years

Archpriest, Rev. Father Keghart Garabedian, baptismal name Ghazar Garabedian, was born in Baghdad Iraq to Mr. Mihertad and Maryam Garabedian as the oldest of three brothers and two sisters. From a young age, he served as an acolyte at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic and Oriental Orthodox Cathedral and St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Baghdad. Father Keghart graduated from “Tarkmanchats Azkayin Varjaran” Armenian Elementary/Secondary National School and from the Art and Education Post Secondary School in Baghdad then went on to serve in both the compulsory regular and reserve Iraq’s Army. He was a member of the “Homentmen” football team and Sports Club and actively participated in the “Yeridasartats Miyutyun” (Armenian Youth Organization) in Baghdad as a member of the Literary and Drama group.

Progression

While in the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Father Keghart served as the personal secretary of the All Armenians Catholicos and the Supreme Patriarch, blessed memory, His Holiness Vasken the First for four years. Following this position, he was invited to serve as the Executive Director of the newly established Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church by the first elected Primate of Canada, blessed memory, His Eminence Archbishop Vasgen Keshishian. When the Reverend came to Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Vasgen Keshishian ordained and anointed him as a married priest, renaming him Keghart, which means Lance or Spearhead, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec. He was appointed to serve as assistant Pastor of the same Cathedral.

St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of BC

After three years, he was appointed by the second elected Primate of the Canadian Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, to be the Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of BC, where he has continued to serve since August of 1990. After he was appointed to St. Vartan Armenian Church, by the intercession of the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, All Armenians Catholicos, and the Supreme Patriarch, blessed memory, His Holiness Vasken the First, with two separate Decrees and Sacred Proclamation, awarded Father Keghart the right and honor of wearing the Cross and Flowered Cloak and the title of the Archpriest as commendation for his dedication.

As well, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian also awarded Archpriest Rev. Father Keghart the honor of wearing the Purple Cloak for his diligent service and direct involvement in the reconstruction of St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of BC.
Archpriest, Rev. Father Keghart Garabedian speaks fluently in both Eastern and Western Armenian dialects, English, and Arabic languages.

Family

Archpriest, Reverend Father Keghart got married in St. Hripsime Monastery in the City of Etchmiadzin in Armenia to Yeretsgin Narine Soukiasian and has been blessed with three children, Narek, Jirair, and Maryam. Father Keghart’s primary mission is preaching the Word of God from Asdvadzashunch` Breath-of-God, the Holy Bible, and the Church Sainted Fathers’ teachings and the teachings of the Armenian Holy Apostolic and Oriental Orthodox doctrine to anyone who asks …