On Monday, September 18, 2017, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Shrikian, a faithful servant of the Lord, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Armenian School for over sixty years, was laid to rest after entering eternal rest on Tuesday, September 12.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted the extreme unction service during funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, celebrated by Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian. Western Prelacy clergy, and H.E. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, participated in the service. The service was comprised of prayers, Psalms, and hymns, during which the Prelate anointed Fr. Nareg’s forehead and right hand. Following the anointing, the condolence letters of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Prelate of the Eastern U.S) were read.
The Prelate delivered the eulogy, having as the theme the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Prelate paid tribute to Fr. Nareg as a remarkable man and clergyman who embodied this Scripture passage, devoting his life in service to the Lord, to the Armenian Apostolic Church, and to the Armenian School, as well as a loving family man, son, brother, devoted husband to his late wife Baydzar, and nurturing father to his six children.
His Eminence lauded Fr. Nareg’s legacy as a faithful child of God and son of the Armenian Church and nation, a dutiful clergyman, a good shepherd, and a capable leader who was instrumental in the establishment and expansion of a number of churches and schools, a much-loved and effective educator who enlightened and enriched the minds and hearts of generations, and a gracious benefactor who lent generously for the advancement of churches and schools within the Holy See of Cilicia and the Western Prelacy.
His Eminence underscored that Fr. Nareg not only dedicated his life to serving others, but that he served with discipline and principle, and above all, with utmost faith, love, and commitment, rightfully earning the love and respect of his flock in all regions that he served, from Anjar to six parishes in the Western United States. Finally, the Prelate stated that the day is an invitation for all clergy members to renew their vow of service inspired by Fr. Nareg’s example and legacy.
On behalf of the Western Prelacy clergy, Religious and Executive Councils, and faithful, the Prelate expressed condolences to Fr. Nareg’s children, Tsolag, Nektar, Salpi, and Nairy, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sister, and extended family members and friends, stating, “Today we find comfort in that he lived a truly fruitful and influential life and ‘comes to the grave at a full age, as a sheaf of grain ripens in its season’ (Job 5:26). Lastly, the Prelate prayed for the rest of Fr. Nareg’s soul in the glory and kingdom of our Lord Almighty where he is reunited with his loved ones, Yeretsgin Baydzar and his dear sons Movses and Vahe.
