PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 30, 2004
Newest Priest and Member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin
On April 24 and 25, Deacon Aren Jebejian was ordained and consecrated a
celibate priest in Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral of New York by His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern).
On Tuesday, April 27, Rev. Father Aren Jebejian arrived in the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin to receive his cowl (veghar) and begin his forty days of
seclusion in preparation for the celebration of his first Divine Liturgy.
During Evening Services, His Grace Bishop Navasard Kjoyan, Vicar of the
Araratian Pontifical Diocese, presided during Father Aren’s recitation of
his oath to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, the teachings, canons and
traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, and to remain a loyal and
devoted servant of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin. In reciting and signing this oath before the Main Altar
of the Mother Cathedral of All Armenians, Father Aren became the newest
member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Bishop Navasard then offered the service of “Granting of the Cowl”, whereby
Father Aren became the newest “abegha” (monk) of the Armenian Church. The
cowl is the black hood worn by celibate priests in the Armenian Church,
signifying their renunciation of the secular world and its pleasures, and as
a visible symbol of their devotion to service and sacrifice.
With the addition of Father Aren, the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin
currently consists of 49 bishops, 83 celibate priests (archimandrites and
monks) and 54 deacons who bring their spiritual service to the Dioceses of
the Armenian Church dispersed throughout the world. Following the
celebration of his first Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father Aren Jebejian will
return to the Eastern Diocese to continue his service to the faithful of the
United States.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
