A heart to serve, a devotion to worship with his gifted voice, and a willingness to lead others to do the same, on Sunday 22 December 2019, Deacon Vartan Elmasian was recognised for his 40 years of service to the Armenian Church by His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians with an Encyclical bestowing upon him the Nerses Shnorhali Medal.
During Sunday’s church service on the Commemoration of St Stephen the Protomartyr, Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian commended all the deacons of the Holy Resurrection Church and reflected on the fine example of Deacon Vartan on his past, present and future service to the church. With his majestic voice, Deacon Vartan’s presence is felt in the church every Sunday either serving afore the Holy Altar or leading the Lousavorich and Karasoun Mangounk choirs as the choirmaster.
A private gathering followed after church in the Diocesan Centre attended by the diaconate, the Elmasian family and choir members. Words of gratitude and appreciation were expressed by Deacon Vartan, his wife Susan, and chairperson of the Loosavorich Choir committee Mrs Marta Narinli.
