RIGHT REVEREND FATHER KAREKIN SHEKHERDEMIAN
DEAN OF ST. MARY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Baptismal name, Harout Shekherdemian was born on January 16th, 1992 in Aleppo, Syria. He attended Zvarnots Elementary School in Syria. He was then accepted in the Zarehian Seminary in Great House of Cilicia. Following eight years of study, ordained a celibate priest on June 17, 2012 by His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian. He was given the name Fr. Karekin.
On July 12th, 2015, Fr. Karekin Shekherdemian was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by His Eminence Archbishop Krikor Chiftjian.
Following his ordination, Fr. Karekin taught music to the seminarians while also acting as Vice-Dean of the Seminary. Shekherdemian also was the conductor of both Shnorhali and Armash Choirs.
On August 6th, 2017, by the blessing of His Holiness Aram I and the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Karekin Shekherdemian was appointed Parish Priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Vancouver, Canada.
In May 2024, Archimandrite Shekherdemian graduated with a Masters Degree in Theology from the Vancouver School of Theology.
By the blessing of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and on the advice of His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, Very Rev. Fr. Karekin Shekherdemian as of December 1st, 2024, assumes duties as Dean of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto.
On December 30th, 2024, Archimandrite Shekherdemian was elevated to Supreme Archimandrite by Archbishop Papken Tcharian.
ARCHPRIEST REVEREND FATHER DATEV MIKAELIAN
PARISH PRIEST OF ST. MARY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
