Bishop Nareg Berberian
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil
Bishop Nareg Berberian (baptismal name Vasken) was born on October 28, 1967, in Beirut, Lebanon.
In 1981, he graduated from the Vahan Tekeyan School in Beirut.
From 1981 to 1987, he studied at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, defending his thesis entitled “The Study of Job, by St. Gregory of Tatev”.
In 1986, he was ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence Archbishop Housik Santourian, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See.
In 1988, by the Order of His Holiness Vasken I, he left for the United States to continue his theological education. In the same year, he entered the St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, focusing on the interpretive literature of the New Testament.
In 1991, he presented his thesis entitled “St. John the Baptist according to the Four Evangelists” and received a mark of excellence.
From 1991 to 1992, Father Nareg served as a Grand Sacristan of the St. Vartan Cathedral in New York; at the same time, studied at the General Theological Seminary of New York, with a focus on biblical studies, earning his second Master of Divinity degree. He simultaneously took private piano lessons at Concordia College in New York.
In 1991, by the order of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, by then Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Father Nareg left for Texas, the United States, and served in the MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, receiving a Certificate. In the same year, he was appointed to serve as Spiritual Pastor in the St. Vartan Cathedral in New York. Father Nareg entered the General Theological Seminary to continue higher education. He graduated from the Seminary with excellence, and defending his thesis entitled “The Interpretation of the Resurrection of Lazarus”, he was awarded the second title of the "Sacred Master of Theology".
In July 26, 1992, Fr. Nareg was ordained as a celibate priest by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, in the St. Vartan Cathedral.
From 1992 to 1993, Fr. Nareg served as the assistant parish priest at St. Kevork Armenian Church in Houston, USA.
In 1994, he was appointed to serve as the parish priest at St. James Church in Richmond, USA. That same year, Fr. Nareg was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite (Vardapet) by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, by then Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
In 1998, Father Nareg presented his thesis entitled “The Order of the Priesthood”, and receiving a mark of excellence, he was awarded the title of “Doctor of Theology”.
From 2000 to 2002, by the order of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Fr. Nareg was appointed to serve as the Spiritual Pastor of the St. George Church in Hartford (USA).
From 2003 to 2013, he served as the pastor of St. David Armenian Church of Boca Raton (USA).
In 2013, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, appointed Father Nareg to serve as the Vicar General of the Armenian Diocese in Brazil.
On November 16, 2014, Fr. Nareg was consecrated as Bishop by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
In 2014, he was elected as the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil.
During his spiritual service, His Grace delivered lectures in various religious-educational institutions and universities, undertaking many religious and cultural projects.
In 2021, His Grace Bishop Nareg Berberian was awarded the “Vachagan Barepasht” Medal by the President of Artsakh Mr. Arayik Harutyunyan.
His Grace was also awarded a Medal by the RA Ministry of Diaspora.
