PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 11, 2005
Holy Etchmiadzin Ordains Nine More New Priests
During the celebration of Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 19, nine
deacons were anointed and ordained into the Holy Order of Priesthood by His
Grace Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the Divine Liturgy. The
deacons are graduates from the Accelerated Academic Course for the
Priesthood, under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Accelerated Academic Course for the Priesthood was a new program
instituted by His Holiness several years ago to select individuals with
higher educations who wished to bring their service to the Armenian Church
and Nation as priests. The goal of the program was to reach out to the
rural villages and settlements that are in dire need of pastors. Among the
graduates are economists, engineers, scientists and others specialists, who
expressed their desire to prepare themselves for greater service to the
Armenian Church and people.
During the Liturgy, the ordaining bishop anointed the foreheads and palms of
both hands of each new priest with Holy Chrism (Muron) and gave them new
names.
Deacon Vrej Aleksandrian became Father Hovhannes, Deacon Gurgen Margarian
became Father Stepanos, Deacon Arushan Harutiunian became Father Sepouh,
Deacon Vartan Ter-Mkrtchian became Father Simeon, Deacon Robert Stepanian
became Father Mashtots, Deacon Armen Abrahamian became Father Zgon, Deacon
Arkadi Matevosian became Father Shnork, Deacon Artak Markarian became Father
Torgom and Deacon Hakob Ter-Barseghian became Father Gevork.
“Today you are called to serve God, to serve our nation through our Church,
and for the first time Christ will be the central focus of all your future
activities. Priesthood is a gift from God, and you must know how to use
that gift. Not everyone can serve as a priest, it is granted only to the
chosen ones, before the Holy Altar of God. With Jesus Christ as the real
shepherd, you must lead your nation on the path to eternal life. Your
weapon must be the Gospel and the Holy Cross. Love your nation, as you love
yourself,” stated His Grace in his message congratulating encouraging the
newly ordained priests as they commence their preaching activities and
pastoral life.
Following the traditional 40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation and
prayer, the new priests will celebrate their inaugural Divine Liturgies at
churches throughout Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress