Biography of Reverend Father Krikor Zakaryan
Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan was born on November 29, 1977, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Manuk and Elena Zakaryan. Fr. Zakaryan received his primary education at the “Dimitar Blagoev” school in Plovdiv. He continued his education at the “Victoria and Krikor Tutundjyan” Armenian school in Plovdiv and graduated in 1992. In Plovdiv’s “Knyaz Alexander Battenberg” secondary school, Fr. Krikor Zakaryan studied biology, humanitarianism and French. He graduated in 1995. As one of the finest students of the French language, Fr. Zakaryan was selected to travel to France on an educational tour.
From 1997 to 1999, he served in the Bulgarian army. Because of his exemplary service, Fr. Zakaryan was promoted within the ranks of the army. In 2003, he was admitted to the “Alex and Marie Manoogian Seminary” of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. His dedication to the seminary and his high marks earned Fr. Zakaryan numerous awards. He graduated from the seminary with excellence in 2007. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan received his Fourth-Degree Acolyte of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church from His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and was ordained to the Diaconate by His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoukian. With his strong vocal abilities, Fr. Zakaryan received vocal training from Mr. Setrak Erganyan, a well-known composer. Fr. Zakaryan often sang as the soloist in the Choir. Fr. Zakaryan has written spiritual/religious articles which have been published in Bulgaria and in Jerusalem.
On August 5, 2007, Fr. Krikor Zakaryan married Miss Anoush Yazadzhiyan in Bulgaria. They are blessed with two daughters.
In 2008, he was invited as a Priesthood-Candidate by His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. On August 10, 2008, he was ordained to the Diaconate by the Primate in the La Canada Armenian Church.
Fr. Zakaryan served at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, California, prior to his appointment as the Deacon-In-Charge of the Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, California.
Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan was ordained and consecrated to the Priesthood on October 13, 2009 by His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. The Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan celebrated his first Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at the social hall of the Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage.
During his pastorate, the Sanctuary of St. Garabed’s was built and completed. The Consecration of the Sanctuary took place on Sunday, January 7, 2012. On April 26, 2013 the Altar of St. Garabed was consecrated, both by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
The Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan completed his Masters Degree in Theology (Major – “Ministry, Leadership and Service”) in 2014 at Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA. Fr. Zakaryan also completed a Youth Ministry Certificate program at Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA in 2017. At the present time Fr. Zakaryan is also involved as a Religious Advisor for the Diocesan Christian Education Council (CEC), Camp Committee and Camp Board, serving the youth (ages 0 to 17) on a diocesan level.
Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan served as the Parish Priest of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert from 2009 through February 2020. Fr. Krikor became the Parish Priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church in March 2020.