Historic Ordination of 27 New Priests in the Armenian Church
On July 19, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated with great joy the Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Vartavar). During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, 27 deacons were ordained to the priesthood by the celebrant and ordaining bishop, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the liturgy and ordination services. The services were offered at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Yerevan.
This important and historic event in the life of the Armenian Church was attended by Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, family and friends of the ordinates, and the faithful of the Armenian Church. The consecration of 27 new clergyman marked the largest number of new ordinates in modern times. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Shoghakat TV Company, working in conjunction with Armenian Public Television (Channel 1), broadcast the historic services live to the Armenian faithful world-wide.
Archbishop Khajag consecrated the foreheads, then the right and left hands of the new priests with Holy Chrism (Muron) and gave them new names.
Deacon Khoren Manukian was renamed Father Movses,
Deacon Sargis Ayvazian was renamed Father Sargis,
Deacon Sahak Sahakian was renamed Father Davit,
Deacon Noy Nazarian was renamed Father Shahe,
Deacon Hakob Gevorkian was renamed Father Andranik,
Deacon Vahagn Ignatevosian was renamed Father Stepanos,
Deacon Arsen Haroutiunian was renamed Father Nerses,
Deacon Hrachya Sagakian was renamed Father Galoust,
Deacon Artak Stepanian was renamed Father Babken,
Deacon Roustam Petrosian was renamed Father Haroutiun,
Deacon Arthur Mkhitarian was renamed Father Tigran,
Deacon Sargis Kesablian was renamed Father Hovhannes,
Deacon Eduard Sahakian was renamed Father Hayk,
Deacon Khachatur Gyozalian was renamed Father Vart,
Deacon Smbat Vardazarian was renamed Father Arakel,
Deacon Mikayel Barseghian was renamed Father Tadeos,
Deacon Avetik Hovhannisian was renamed Father Nikoghos,
Deacon Ashot Mirzoyan was renamed Father Gevork,
Deacon Armen Khachatrian was renamed Father Yeghia,
Deacon Edgar Hovhannisian was renamed Father Levon,
Deacon Hayk Mkrtchian was renamed Father Vatche,
Deacon Hovhannes Aznavourian was renamed Father Sedrak,
Deacon Tatoul Hambardzumian was renamed Father Karekin,
Deacon Norayr Sahakian was renamed Father Hakob,
Deacon Norayr Gharibian was renamed Father Sahak,
Deacon Armen Hmayakian was renamed Father Nshan,
Deacon Narek Vardanian was renamed Father Poghos
Following their consecration, the new priests gave their first blessing to the faithful present in the cathedral.
Archbishop Khajag delivered his message to the faithful on this momentous occasion stressing that today the Armenian Church is elated and filled with happiness, as 27 new clergyman join the ranks of the Armenian Church. In his inspiring sermon to the newly ordained, His Eminence called upon them to serve the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with unshakable faith, devotion and zeal, spreading the light of Christ to our faithful throughout the world. Archbishop Khajag also commanded them to “transfigure” themselves according to the mystery of the Feast of Transfiguration and as new men, continue their service to the Armenian Church and Nation. On this happy occasion of the largest ordination in the life of the Church, His Eminence extended his congratulations to His Holiness Karekin II and expressed his wish that the revival of the Church, that has been started during the pontificate of His Holiness, continue for many years bringing forth abundant success.
His Holiness and the Members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin ascended the altar and congratulated the new priests, kissing the newly consecrated priests, on their foreheads and hands.
Later that same day, the Granting of the Cowl service was offered during Evening Services. 9 newly ordained priests were granted the monastic cowl (hood) – Father Sargis, Father Andranik, Father Nerses, Father Yeghia, Father Vatche, Fr. Karekin, Father Hakob, Father Nshan and Father Poghos – as a sign of their renunciation of secular life. After taking their oath of celibacy and signing their oath of fidelity, they became newest members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Following the traditional 40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation and prayer, the new priests will be appointed to serve in different Dioceses of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and in different departments of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
