Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, with the baptismal name of Haroutiun, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a graduate of the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Catholicossate of Antelias, Lebanon. He was ordained Archdeacon by his dean, Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, the blessed memory, the former Catholocos of all Armenians of Etchmiadzin.

As Archdeacon, he served the two Armenian communities of Isfahan and Abadan, in south Iran. In 1974, he married Nektar Megerdichian and blessed with two children, Sevag and Sally.

From 1981-86, he was invited by the Prelate of Eastern Prelacy, His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, to serve Detroit Community in the capacity of Armenian Studies Program Director in the ARS Day School, Principal of the five Saturday Schools, and Choir Director of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Dearborn, Michigan.

He was ordained a priest on February 22, 1987 by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian in New York and was assigned to St. Gregory Church parish in Granite City, Illinois. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from St. Louis University in Spring of 1991. Upon graduation, he was assigned to St. Gregory Church parish in Philadelphia.

Fr. Nerses has numerous publications in the parish newspaper, “Illuminator”. He published a booklet about the Armenian Church called “Your Church and You”. In 1998, he Published a book called “The 4 Ceremonies of the Armenian church”, which is the English and modern Armenian translation of “Blessing of the Water,” “Antasdan,” “Opening of the Portal” and “Blessing of the grapes” Ceremonies. “Sunrise Service” with modern Armenian and English translations, “The Ceremonies Of The Holy Week”, an English translation, the ceremonies of Peace and Compline (Lenten vespers) with modern Armenian and English translation and numerous spiritual and educational articles in the “Illuminator.” Other publications of Der Nerses include: “From The Pastor’s Desk” Volume I – 1998, “Intimacy with Narek” in English, «Մտերմութիւն Նարեկի» two separate volumes, published in 2021, “From the Pastor’s Desk” Volume II in English. «Հովիւի Գրասեղանէն» two separate volumes in English and Armenian, 2022.

Der Nerses brought into life the women’s organization called Altar Guild with the sole purpose of taking care of the needs of the altar. Another program Der Nerses brought to life is the program of Altar servers. It is a program which gives opportunity to our youngsters to serve the altar as candle bearers, fan bearers and censer bearers thus giving them a sense of belonging.

He has also been one of the co-founders of the Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute for the youth and an active teacher of the Institute. Fr. Nerses Manoogian served on the Religious Council of the Prelacy as well for 11 years. He retired in 2022 and is currently taking on the role of Interim Pastor and will serve until a full-time pastor can be assigned to our parish.