Tucked into a hillside block of Salisbury Street in Worcester, the Armenian Church of Our Saviour carries a distinction no other American parish can claim: it is the first Armenian Apostolic church established in the United States. Consecrated on January 18, 1891, more than 135 years ago, the parish remains an active center of worship, Armenian language and culture, and community life for the greater Worcester Armenian community. It belongs to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), which falls under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, and it continues to gather each Sunday for the ancient Christian liturgy that Armenians have kept since their nation became the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D.
Founding the First Armenian Church in America
The parish traces its beginning to a single sentence recorded in the minutes of the Worcester Armenian Church Trustees on February 2, 1890: "Whereas the Armenian people, by reason of persecution and abject poverty, are immigrating to America, in order to preserve these immigrants from being alienated, we hereby decide to build a church and we direct Rev. Hovsep Vartabed Sarajian to undertake the necessary negotiations for that purpose." With that decision, the founding fathers of the parish, joined by their newly appointed pastor, took on the task of establishing the first Armenian church in America.
Within a year, donations and borrowing had raised the money, land had been purchased, and a sanctuary had been built on Laurel Street in Worcester. That first church was consecrated on January 18, 1891, a date that fell on Christmas Day according to the Gregorian calendar followed in Jerusalem, and it was named the Church of Our Saviour. The Worcester parish became both a spiritual home for the local Armenian community and, in its early years, the first seat of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in America. Other Armenian communities throughout the Eastern United States, and across North America, modeled their own parishes on what Worcester had built.
By the middle of the twentieth century the parish had outgrown the original Laurel Street location, and in 1952 the congregation moved to its present home at 87 Salisbury Street, a site chosen in part for its closeness to the wire mills where many Worcester Armenians had first found work after arriving in the United States in the 1800s. The new sanctuary was built in the Armenian cruciform style, and a later generation expanded the campus by adding a Cultural Center that today hosts the parish's gatherings, classes, and the annual Worcester Armenian Festival.
What Armenians Believe
The Armenian Church traces its origin to two of Christ's apostles. According to tradition, St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew preached the Gospel in the first century, and in the early fourth century St. Gregory the Illuminator formally established the Church in Armenia when he baptized King Tiridates III and Christianity became the state religion. St. Gregory became the first Bishop of Armenia and established the Holy See at Vagharshapat, the site called Etchmiadzin, a name that means "the only begotten descended," referring to a vision in which Christ showed the saint where to build the first Armenian church.
The Faith of the Armenian Church is transmitted through Holy Tradition - the ongoing life of the church from the time of Christ to the present - in which the Bible, liturgy and worship, the writings of the church fathers, the councils and canons, the saints, and religious art are organically linked. The Nicene Creed, adopted at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. with St. Arisdages, the son of St. Gregory the Illuminator, representing the Armenian Church, is the church's main statement of faith.
The Armenian Church confesses one God, the Father Almighty, creator of all things visible and invisible; one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who for humanity's salvation came down from heaven, took body, became man, was born perfectly of the holy Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, suffered, was crucified, was buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven; and the Holy Spirit, uncreated and perfect, who proceeds from the Father and is worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son. The church confesses one baptism with repentance for the remission and forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, the everlasting judgment of souls and bodies, the kingdom of heaven, and life eternal.
The Armenian Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox, or Non-Chalcedonian, family of churches, alongside the Coptic, Syrian, Indian Malabar, Ethiopian, and Eritrean churches, distinguishing it both from the Eastern Orthodox and from Rome.
The Soorp Badarak: The Heart of Sunday Worship
The center of parish life is the Divine Liturgy, called the Soorp Badarak, celebrated every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM, with a Morning Service (Aravoootyan Zham) that begins at 9:30 AM. During summer hours the timing is adjusted slightly, and worshippers can confirm the schedule before they arrive.
For those who cannot be present in person, the Divine Liturgy is livestreamed on Facebook Live, and recorded services are available through the parish's Facebook page so that members and friends near and far can join in.
The Badarak is, in the parish's own description, far more than a worship service. It is the most intimate encounter the faithful can have with God in this life, because in it Jesus Christ comes to his people in two forms: first, by his Word, in the reading of the holy Gospel; and second, by his holy Body and Blood, in Holy Communion. These two actions - the proclamation of the Word of God and the reception of Holy Communion - are the two pillars on which the entire structure of the Divine Liturgy rests in all ancient apostolic churches. Built around them is a magnificent arrangement of words, music, symbols, and rituals carried out by the celebrant priest, the deacons, the altar servers, the choir, and the people together.
The tenth-century Armenian theologian Khosrov Antsevatsi described the Badarak as "the great medicine," a mystery through which those who confess and show repentance receive atonement and are reunited with Christ. For a first-time visitor, the rhythm of the liturgy is shaped by the church's Armenian language and chant, the entrance of the celebrant, the readings, the exchange of the peace, and the moment of Holy Communion, which is open to baptized members of the Armenian Church and to other Christians in accordance with the parish's pastoral guidance.
The Pastor: Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan
The pastor of the parish is the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, christened Mikayel, who was born in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on September 13, 1984. He was admitted to the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2001 and graduated in 2007 with bachelor's and master's degrees in theology. He was ordained to the rank of deacon by Archbishop Paren Avedikian in 2006.
After seminary, Fr. Tadeos joined the Ecumenical office of the Mother See, assisting in communications with other Christian denominations and helping to organize interfaith gatherings and prayers. In 2008, Deacon Mikayel joined a World Council of Churches delegation to Pakistan in support of the "Overcoming the Violence" initiative. In 2009, he became a military chaplain at the Air Force Academy in Yerevan while studying English at the American University of Armenia.
On July 19, 2009, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, ordained him to the holy priesthood, and he received the name Tadeos. He continued his chaplaincy ministry at the military academy while serving as an assistant pastor at St. Stepanos Armenian Church in Abovyan. That December he was awarded the Vazgen Sargyan Medal of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia for his service as a chaplain.
In January 2011, Fr. Tadeos was assigned to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. He completed his Diocesan pastoral internship with the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago and studied at North Park Theological Seminary, majoring in biblical preaching, spirituality, and Orthodox studies, and completing a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Lutheran General Hospital. In November 2012 he was assigned as pastor of St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 2016 he completed a master's degree in theology at the University of St. Thomas. He has also served as Assistant Director of the Diocesan Hye Camp in Illinois and led Diocesan Youth Service missions to Armenia from 2015 through 2017.
Fr. Tadeos was assigned as pastor of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour on July 1, 2023, and was installed by His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), on July 9, 2023. He is married to Yn. Gayane Barseghyan, who is trained as a special education teacher, and they have three children: Zhan (Khachadour), Lucy (Tatev), and Raffi Mikayel.
Sacraments of the Armenian Church
The Armenian Church recognizes seven sacraments, three of which - baptism, marriage, and the funeral or requiem - are described in detail on the parish's pages to help families prepare.
Baptism. Baptism is the first sacrament and the "Door of the Church," through which one begins life in the church. The sacrament is celebrated in the narthex of the sanctuary and includes threefold immersion in sanctified water in the name of the Holy Trinity, anointing with holy chrism (muron), and the reception of Holy Communion at the conclusion of the service. Christian parents are encouraged to baptize their children between the eighth and the fortieth day after birth. One godparent must be a baptized and chrismated member of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and should not be a blood relative; the godparent takes responsibility for the child's spiritual growth. There are no fees for sacraments at Our Saviour; donations to the church and pastor are offered as expressions of gratitude.
Marriage. Holy Matrimony is celebrated in the sanctuary, never outside of it, and requires that both the bride and groom have received Christian baptism and chrismation. By canon law, no marriage may take place on Sunday mornings, nor at any time during Great Lent or Holy Week; marriages may be performed any day and at any time except Saturday evenings after sundown and early Sunday afternoons. The major sacramental witness, the Khach Yeghpayr or Best Man, must be a baptized Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Christian who holds a hand cross over the couple during a portion of the rite. The bride and groom are expected to meet with the pastor for marriage preparation, and all music and photography during the ceremony must be approved by the pastor.
Hokehankist (Requiem Service). It is a tradition in the Armenian Church to offer special prayers for loved ones who have fallen asleep in Christ. The Hokehankist is typically requested forty days after a passing (Karasoonk), on the first anniversary (Darelitz), and on subsequent anniversaries, and is followed by a fellowship hosted by the family.
Sunday School and Christian Education
The Sunday School of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour helps children strengthen their connection with Christ and grow in their faith. Every Sunday, students join the congregation for the Soorp Badarak to receive Holy Communion, then return to the church hall for their Sunday School classes. Older students may also serve on the altar and in the choir, alternating between the classroom and serving at the Badarak from week to week.
The Sunday School year opens with a blessing of the students in September, and registration is offered through the parish's online form for all children in the local community. The program is led by Andrea Surabian, Gina Surabian-Heck, and Michael Mamishian, with Barry Bilzerian serving as a primary contact for families who want more information.
Two particular rhythms shape the Sunday School year. On the first Sunday of every month, Family Sunday brings families together for a special children's sermon given by Fr. Tadeos along with other activities for parents and children. On the fourth Sunday of every month, Outreach Sunday gathers the children with the wider parish for a community service project.
A separate Toddlers Ministry meets every Sunday morning in the church hall for children up to age five. Each classroom is equipped with a Smart TV that teachers use to incorporate media into their lessons, and the curriculum is designed to weave crafts, learning about Armenian culture, and play into the formation of young faith.
Outreach: Sandwiches for Veterans
A newer parish ministry, the Outreach Ministry, partners with Veterans Inc. in Worcester. On the fourth Sunday of each month, during the fellowship hour that follows the Divine Liturgy, parishioners gather to make sandwiches together that are delivered to the Veterans Inc. shelter on Grove Street in Worcester, where they are served to all who come. The Outreach Sunday of the Sunday School and the parish Outreach Ministry share the same fourth-Sunday rhythm and together give the parish a regular opportunity to serve the wider Worcester community.
Armenian Dance, Music, and Cultural Life
Beyond worship and education, the parish carries an active cultural life. Free Armenian traditional dance classes are held in the church hall on Thursdays, with children ages five and up meeting from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and adults meeting from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. The classes are taught by Anna Sekoyan, who leads the Sekoyan Dance Studio in Armenia, and her daughter, and are scheduled to culminate in a performance at the parish's annual festival. All skill levels are welcome.
The parish also maintains a regular schedule of community events. The summer brings a Summer Beach Party at Scarborough Beach in Rhode Island and, in mid-June, the Armenian Picnic on the church grounds, complete with live Armenian music, traditional foods prepared in advance by a long baking and cooking schedule, and a bounce house and games for children. Other gatherings fill the calendar, including a Mother and Daughter Dinner in May, a Family Bike Ride along the East Bay Bike Path, a Sunday sermon and fellowship program during Great Lent, a Genocide Commemoration in April, an Anniversary Walk in June that retraces the historic path from the original Laurel Street church to the present Salisbury Street campus, a Blessing of the Grapes on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God in August, and a Christmas season marked by the Badarak of the Nativity.
Twice in a single recent summer, Fr. Tadeos led pilgrimages to Armenia to mark the parish's 135th anniversary, bringing nearly seventy pilgrims in two groups to pray at Khor Virab, Geghard Monastery, Noravank, and Datev Monastery, to visit the Matenadaran, the Armenian Genocide Memorial at Dzidzernagapert, and the Fund for Armenian Relief's Octet music school and ACT technical college, and to be received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
The Worcester Armenian Festival and the Annual Golf Tournament
The Worcester Armenian Festival is the parish's largest community celebration and is held on the grounds of the church on Boynton Street each fall. The festival features a menu of authentic pork, beef, chicken, and lamb kebobs, Armenian rice pilaf, traditional flatbreads, and Armenian sweets including gata and choreg, accompanied by Armenian wine served through a partnership with Storica Wines and Armenian coffee served with the sponsorship of Henry's House of Coffee. Lavash, recognized by UNESCO as a piece of Armenian cultural heritage, is baked for the festival by Gyumri Bakery MA. A bake sale, presentations on Armenian culture, traditional dance lessons and performances, a church tour, and musical and video productions fill the two-day festival. Neighboring institutions, including Trinity Lutheran Church and a WPI parking lot, generously share their lots for festival parking.
The Annual ACOOS Golf Tournament, now in its thirty-third year, is the parish's second-largest fundraising event. Held at Sterling National Country Club, the tournament is organized by a volunteer group of parish members who welcome golfers and sponsors, and offers a wide range of sponsorship packages and program book advertisements that fund the parish's outreach programs. Non-golfers can also support the tournament by placing an ad in the program book, becoming a sponsor, or donating an item for the silent auction.
Pastoral Care and Visitation
Fr. Tadeos and the parish offer pastoral visitation to those who are homebound, hospitalized, or in nursing homes. Parishioners and friends who wish to arrange a pastoral visit or to receive Holy Communion at home are asked to contact Fr. Tadeos directly, through the parish office by phone or email, or by emailing pastor@acoos.org or calling 508-756-7393. When someone is hospitalized, in a nursing home, or at home and would like a visit from the pastor, the same contact information is used.
The Cultural Center and Hall Rental
The Cultural Center on the Salisbury Street campus provides a venue for life celebrations, including luncheons, birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, baptisms, fundraisers, weddings, receptions, and reunions. Two halls offer flexible space for either an intimate business meeting or a larger reception in the heart of Worcester without the downtown price tag, with a catering kitchen, a VIP room for weddings, a drop-down screen, and a wireless PA system. A floor plan and a complete set of rental documents, including Rules and Regulations, Caterer Kitchen Responsibilities, Indemnity Agreement, and a fillable Rental Application, are available through the parish office.
Stewardship, Endowment, and Giving
The parish moved from a Dues Membership System to a Stewardship Pledge model in 2024, joining the Diocese's new Stewardship Pledge Pilot Program. Instead of fixed membership dues, members are invited to make an annual Stewardship Pledge of any amount, either as individuals or as families, and to fulfill that pledge by the end of the year. The pledge is held in strict confidence, and the parish uses anticipated pledge amounts to plan its budget. Donations can be made online through the parish's giving portal, with the option of setting up a recurring gift.
An Endowment Fund, supported by a National Day of Giving Campaign and generously matched in the past by the Asbed and Margaret Zakarian Charitable Foundation, helps to ensure the long-term financial strength of the parish. Donations to the Hokehankist service can also be made online, with the names of loved ones to be remembered included in the comment section.
A Parish at 135 Years
Today the parish remembers the determination of its founders, who chose on a winter night in 1890 to build a church so that Armenians arriving in America would not be alienated from their Apostolic Christian faith. The parish they built is the first Armenian church in America, the original seat of the Eastern Diocese, and a Worcester institution now marking 135 years since its consecration. Its anniversary banquet, commemorative booklet, anniversary walk, two pilgrimages to Armenia, and the "Did You Know" campaign all gather around that single fact.
From its Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings to its Sunday School classrooms, its Armenian dance classes, its Outreach Ministry with Veterans Inc., and its annual Festival, the Armenian Church of Our Saviour continues to fulfill the mission its founders set out for it: to keep the Armenian Apostolic faith alive in America and to put the Lord's Good News into action.