OUR PASTOR

Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, M.D.

    

Rev. Fr. Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1961. He is a graduate of Hovaguimian-Manougian High School (1973-1980). For Grad/Post Graduate education attended Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia.

Parallel to the secular education, participated in extracurricular religious education: 1974-1980: served as an acolyte and then as a sub-deacon at Soorp Asdvadzazin Church in Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon. As well as Teaching at the Sunday School and occasionally attending Religious/Christian Education Seminary Courses in Antelias, Lebanon.

Moved to the United States in 1990, started residency in Psychiatry at NYMC, Valhalla NY in 1993. Working as an Attending psychiatrist since 1997.

On June 27, 1993 he was ordained as a Deacon at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, NY, NY by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian.

Since 1993 has been serving the alter in the Armenian Church as a deacon, particularly at Sts. Vartanants Armenain Apostololic Church in Ridgefield, NJ.

Since 1995 on, worked on digitalizing the Armenian New Testament and Psalms, Nareg Prayer Book, Mashdots and Jamakirk for personal use. Also worked and lectured on Christiain Spiritual and Psychological issues concerning the American Armenian Community in the U.S and Canada. (e.g. Couples Intimacy issues and benefits of faith, parent child relationship and pastoral counseling, Empathic listening and the pastor…).

Starting 2016 focused studies on the Liturgy and Theology of the Armenian Apostolic Church with the leadership of his Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

Rev. Fr. Vahan was ordained to the holy order of priesthood on February 8-9, 2019, by Archbishop Anoshavan Tanielian at Sts. Vartanants Armenain Apostololic Church in Ridgefield, NJ.

Beginning March 2019 until March 2021, he was appointed to serve as an itinerary pastor at St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, New Britain CT. From August 2021 to February 2022 assigned by the prelate as itinerary pastor of All Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, IL. When called to serve, he has celebrated Badarak at many parishes within our Prelacy.

During Covid, he along with Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian conducted online sessions on Faith & Family, which was organized by the Prelacy.

Rev. Fr. Vahan is happily married to Yn. Maggie Tekeyan-Koyoumdjian (since 1995) who are blessed with three children, Aram, Anoush and Nishan.