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: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
June 10, 2004
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BUSY MAN FINDS TIME TO SERVE TWO PARISHES
By Jake Goshert
When he was just 5 years old, Hagop “Jack” Injajigian began singing in
the church choir.
“My parents, they were the ones who religiously brought me,” said
Injajigian. “The church was a place where, in a small community, you
gather together not only for religious occasions, but socially as well.”
Today, the 51-year-old pharmacist finds time to serve his home parish,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Binghamton, NY, as well as the St.
Paul Church of Syracuse, about an hour away.
On Sunday, May 9, 2004, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordained Injajigian
as a deacon.
“He is truly a dedicated son of the Armenian Church, who feels a sense
of devotion and duty calling him to serve,” the Primate said. “By
tending to the spiritual needs of this tight-knit community, he has
helped hold them together.”
The Binghamton parish — which has just one other deacon — is
in-between parish priests, and Dn. Injajigian has been providing some of
the services a priest normally is called upon to perform, such as
visiting the sick, and he also takes care of the holy vessels on the
altar.
He has been functioning as a deacon for years, but had to study Armenian
more to become proficient enough for the ordination service.
“It’s a sense of duty for me, so it’s always been easy to get involved
in all aspects of the church,” he said. “I wanted to do more with the
community. I feel good about being ordained. Hopefully it will help me
forge ahead and keep the church alive in this area.”
Joining the Primate in Binghamton for the ordination were Fr. Kegham
Zakarian, Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Garen Gdanian, Fr. Carnig Hallajian,
Fr. Paree Metjian, and Fr. Mikael Devejian.
— 6/10/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordains Hagop “Jack”
Injajigian as a deacon on Sunday, May 9, 2004, at the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Binghamton, NY.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress