Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Newly Ordained Priests

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – 7/12/16

On December 5, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received nine newly ordained priests, led by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of Mother See.

Asking for the blessings of His Holiness, Bishop Hovnan stated that the priests, after having completed a 40-day period of seclusion, had celebrated their first Divine Liturgy in different churches on December 4.

Catholicos Karekin II conveyed his blessings and Pontifical message to the priests, congratulating them and expressing his joy on the occasion of the start of their pastoral service. In his remarkds, His Holiness stressed that they must fill the ranks of the clergy and put every effort into meeting the needs of the faithful.

The Catholicos of All Armenians drew the attention of the newly ordained priests to the public vision of the clergy. He noted that the faithful have great expectations from Armenian clergymen. They consider him to be a person called to God’s mission and want to see a servant who is bearing the noble, the pure and the divine from within.

His Holiness urged the priests to live up to the expectations of the Church and the people, to not yield to difficulties and through a devoted sense of duty and commitment, strengthen the Christian faith in people’s lives.

The Pontiff urged the priests to be an example of a pious, devout and patriotic person for their communities through their word, deed and lifestyle; and through dedicated service further enhance the good reputation and name of the Armenian Church.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness blessed the newly ordained priests and gifted to each of them a communion holder, hand cross, and “Mashtots” Liturgical breviary. In the coming days the priests will be assigned to their first pastoral service.

Source: