PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 10, 2004
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PARISH TURNS OUT FOR ORDINATION SERVICE IN WISCONSIN
In front of the parishioners who are like family, surrounded by the
community he’s called home his whole life, Daniel Korakian got ready to
take on new responsibilities.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), spoke to the crowd, asking them if Korakian
was worthy of being a deacon.
“And they said I was worthy. That just made me think, ‘I hope I am.’
It was wonderful — a beautiful thing,” said the humble Korakian who was
ordained a deacon on Sunday, August 29, 2004, at the St. Mesrob Church
of Racine, WI. “I love this place. I love the people. These people
have been raising me my whole life. I think that’s why I am still
here.”
Korakian grew up in the Racine parish and currently serves as the
parish’s administrator and caretaker. He has been seriously working
towards his ordination for the past 12 years, and feels it was important
to step forward and assume the responsibilities of a deacon, a position
the parish takes very seriously. There is only one other deacon at the
parish.
“I will be able to continue what has been established,” Korakian said.
“The parish doesn’t have to be worried, there is another deacon to
support our senior deacon and to carry on in the future.”
The Primate said Korakian’s selfless devotion to the church is an
example others should follow.
“He is a true steward of the Armenian Church and of his parish. He
knows that each of us must step forward to do the work the Lord calls on
us to do,” the Primate said. “His is truly a ministry of service, which
brings the light of the Lord into the lives of his friends and
neighbors.”
Others in the parish followed Korakian down the path of service. That
same weekend the Primate ordained a number of acolytes and sub-deacons.
On Saturday, August 28, 2004, following an evening vespers service, the
Primate ordained five new acolytes: Grace Bedoian, Amanda Desotell,
Britany Garvin, Alex Janiuk, and Marissa Mahnke.
Along with ordaining Dn. Korakian on Sunday, the Primate ordained five
sub-deacons: Joseph Gabrielian, Richard Kadamian, Aram Katerdjian, Kai
Kazarian, and Stanton Sheridan.
— 9/10/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, ordains Daniel
Korakian as a deacon during a service at St. Mesrob Church in Racine,
WI, on Sunday, August 29, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate ordained one deacon and five sub-deacons
at the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, on Sunday, August 29, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Parishioners filled St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI,
on Saturday, August 28, 2004, as the Primate ordained five new acolytes.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor
of the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, join the new acolytes ordained
on August 28, 2004.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress