The faithful community of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Fowler welcomed and received the pastoral blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America on August 9, 2020.

With fond memories, Archbishop Derderian reflected on the pastorate of Archpriest Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian who served the Armenian American community of Fowler from 2006 until his passing last year.  In his comforting remarks addressed to Fr. Yeghia’s family, Arcbhishop Derderian said “Dear Yeretzgin Roberta and children, we know how painful the loss of Fr. Yeghia’s has been painful for you and for the family of St. Gregory Armenian Church. However, Der Yeghia’s passion and love for the Church and the faithful brings peace to your hearts.”  

His Eminence also commended and recognized the dedication of Archpriest Fr. Kevork Arakelian, who for a period of one year, had fulfilled his pastoral duties at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Fowler with humility, kindheartedness and a Christian love.

As the day’s celebrant and homilist, Archbishop Derderian introduced to the congregation the newly appointed Priest of St. Gregory Armenian Church the Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian, calling upon the priest to serve the flock of Christ with renewed zeal and humility. “Dear Fr. Gomidas, my wish is that extend your heart and soul to this most deserving faithful of St. Gregory Armenian Church. And be assured that they too will embrace you and assist you in many ways to ensure that this church family is continuously strengthened and committed to serve God wholeheartedly,” said Archbishop Derderian.  

The following statement was issued by the parishioners of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Fowler. 

"We, The Parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Fowler, California would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, for celebrating Holy Badarak on Sunday August 9, 2020. This was a blessed day for our parish as we introduced our new Parish Priest Father Gomidas Zohrabian. We also acknowledged the dedication and service of our past Parish Priest Father Kevork Arakelian.  We also observed Darelitz for the one year anniversary of the passing of Father Yeghia Harabedian. At that time, Surpazan blessed a memorial garden that was planted by our Sunday School and its Staff in Fr. Yeghia’s memory. May God bless Surpazan. We thank him for all he has done."

Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian – A Biography

Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian was born in Tehran, Iran, on June 25, 1965, and was given the baptismal name Igit. In 1972, his family moved to Armenia. In 1983, he entered the Gevorkian Theological Seminary at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Upon returning to the seminary in 1985 after fulfilling compulsory military service, he continued his studies and graduated in 1990. On December 25, 1989, he was ordained as a deacon by Archbishop Housig Santuryan, the canon sacristan of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Later His Holiness Vazken I, the late Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, appointed him a supervisor of the seminary.

In 1991, he was assigned as an assistant to the manager of the museum of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. In May 1992, he was appointed to the Araratian Pontifical Diocese's St. Sarkis Church in Yerevan. He returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 1994 as an assistant to the manager of the museum.

He arrived in the United States in 1995 and studied for two years at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. He also studied at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

In 1999, Fr. Gomidas began working at the St. Vartan Cathedral bookstore and organizing an Armenian language Saturday School for the newly-settled Russian-speaking Armenians in Brooklyn, NY.

Fr. Gomidas was ordained to the holy priesthood on February 22 and 23, 2003. From 2003 to 2020, he served as the pastor of St. George Church of Hartford, CT.

He and his wife Ellen have three children, Angel, Gregory and Anthony.