Archpriest Fr. Kevork Arakelian
John Raymond Arakelian was born to John and Christine (Basmajian) Arakelian on April 4, 1943, at the United States Naval overflow ward at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City. Following WWII, John and Christine moved to Pasadena, California. A daughter, Gail, joined the family on February 14, 1948.
In 1961, he graduated from Pasadena High School; in 1964, he graduated Mt. San Antonio College, with an A.A.; in 1968, he graduated California State Polytechnic University, with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration; and in 1971, he graduated St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, with a Master's Degree in Theology. In August, 1971, he married Sandra Gostanian of Haverhill, MA.
He was ordained into the sacred priesthood of the Armenian Orthodox Church on September 29-30, 1973, by His Eminence Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan and re-named Fr. Kevork. Fr. Kevork was the first American-born graduate of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to be ordained a priest.
During his years as Parish Priest in Binghamton NY, Fr. Kevork was very active with St. Nersess Seminary. He served as teacher and counselor for the St. Nersess Summer Study programs. He also actively participated in ecumenical activities and services in Binghamton.
Father Kevork and Sandra were blessed with two sons: Stephen, born January 24, 1975; and Michael, born November 19, 1978. Father Kevork and his family remained in Binghamton until January, 1980.
In March 1980, Father Kevork became the Parish Priest of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Fowler, CA, where he served for over 26 years. Locally, he has led worship services at the California Armenian Home for the Aged and participated in Fowler ecumenical activities. On the Diocesan level, he was instrumental in procuring the present Diocesan Camp site in Dunlap and served as the Chairman of the first Camp Board of Directors. Father Kevork has been a member of the Diocesan Council and has taught classes at various Diocesan Retreats, Summer Camp Programs, and Sunday School Teacher Training Workshops. In 2001, he was a member of the committee organizing events celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia. Father Kevork was the first Treasurer of the Alumni Association of St. Nersess Seminary. At the request of the Seminary, three St. Nersess students traveled to Fowler on separate occasions to serve as "interns" under his guidance. In September 2002, Father Kevork was the guest celebrant at the St. Nersess Summer Study Program's 40th Anniversary Celebration. Prior to his retirement, Father Kevork was appointed the Primate's Vicar of the San Joaquin Valley Armenian Churches of the Western Diocese.
Father Kevork has been involved in many Fowler community events. He has participated in graduations and Baccalaureate services. He has blessed a number of businesses in the city of Fowler. He has made presentations at local schools, groups, and organizations on both religious and cultural topics. Father Kevork has given invocations and benedictions for Boy Scout Courts of Honor, as well as for Fowler City Council Meetings. He also has been a coach for local soccer teams, as well as a licensed soccer referee. He was Fowler’s Citizen of the year in 2007.
After retiring in July 2006, Father Kevork worked at the Fowler Senior Center (2007-2008) and was a chaplain at Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera the same years. He became interim parish priest for the following churches: The Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, in Haverhill, MA, (2008); St. Vartan, Oakland (2009); and the Armenian Apostolic Church of Ventura County, Thousand Oaks (2011-2012). Father Kevork is currently serving as associate parish priest of Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Church of Reedley.
In 2008, Der Kevork officiated at the marriage of Stephen to Nikki Casparian. In 2011, Der Kevork and Sandra were blessed with a granddaughter, Samantha Taleen, and he had the pleasure of baptizing her.