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Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji, our former Conference Minister from 1985-1991, passed yesterday, June 14, in Philadelphia, PA.
Peter was born in Aleppo, Syria, on 18 June 1929. After his father’s tragic death, he was raised in the Armenian Evangelical community of Aleppo by his grandparents. He completed his schooling in the region of his birthplace, and his higher education and theological training at the American University of Beirut and the Near East School of Theology. Later he continued his education at the Harvard Divinity School (U.S.A.) and earned his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary (U.S.A.).
Ordained in 1955 by the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, Rev. Doghramji rendered academic and ecclesiastical service in the Middle East as well as in the U.S.A. At Aleppo College he taught theological subjects and later became the College’s first native-born president. As well, he was on the faculty of the Near East School of Theology until his departure for the U.S. in 1970.
Rev. Doghramji began his church ministry in Hasakeh, Syria, and his productive ministry extended as well to the U.S., beginning in Philadelphia, also Los Angeles and New York. He became the first foreign-born Conference Minister in the United Church of Christ. During his tenure, Peter helped the Conference build the Church House that was the Conference’s administrative and spiritual home until 2013. Prior to retirement, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree from Ursinus College.
Peter served as the Moderator and Executive Secretary of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and later became the Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America.
Rev. Doghramji was fluent in five languages, and preached in those languages. He also authored three books and many articles. Often he was invited to lecture on various historical, theological and inter-religious themes. Throughout his life’s work he remained a teacher at heart, and served as he was able until recent months.
He was married to Mary Bedikian, who passed away this year on March 1. They had three children - Karl, Paul and James, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. After a brief hospitalization, Rev. Doghramji passed away on June 14, 2023, in the Philadelphia area, four days shy of his 94th birthday.
A service to celebrate his amazing life and grieve his loss will be held at Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church, 100 Edmunds Ave., Havertown, PA 19083, on Saturday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. with a lunch to follow in the social hall. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing at 10:00 a.m.
To join the service by Zoom, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89109626296
In lieu of flowers donations in Badveli Doghramji's memory may be made to the Armenian Missionary Association of America, 31 W. Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, click here to donate, or to the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church, 100 N. Edmonds Avenue, Havertown, PA 19083, by clicking here.
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