On Tuesday morning, March 1st, 2022, the body of V. Rev. Fr. Vahan Berberian (1945-2022) was laid to rest in the Zarehian Mausoleum following the extreme unction presided by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.
During the service, the coffin was elevated to the altar, and with special hymns, it turned to the West, East and South respectively. Subsequently Archbishop Oshagan anointed the forehead and right hand of the late father with Holy Myron.
Delivering his eulogy, Archbishop Oshagan recalled how remarkably devoted father Vahan was in his service throughout his 55 years of priesthood whether in the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias or at the prelacies of the Armenian Church in the USA, Canada, Venezuela and his birthplace; Syria. He testified that the late Father was a very humble person and prioritized the greatness of the Armenian Church before everything else.
Consequently, the clergy kissed the anointed forehead and right hand of the deceased, and carried the body to the Mausoleum, where the burial rites, blessing of the land and interment ceremony were held.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I could not attend the funeral service due to being infected with the Corona Virus.
