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: [email protected]
Website:
September 22, 2004
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PRIMATE ORDAINS TBIR IN BELLEVILLE
The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church in Belleville, IL, had
something to celebrate when the Primate paid a visit this August.
During his visit on Sunday, August 15, 2004, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
ordained Mark Marifian as a tbir. Mark has been studying for his
ordination for a while, under the guidance of the parish’s visiting
pastor, Fr. Abraham Ohanesian.
“He is a fine new acolyte, and his devotion and faith are testaments to
the love and community found in Belleville,” the Primate said. “Many
parishioners there have guided him, taught him, and supported him. Now
he is serving his parish.”
During the visit, the Primate and Fr. Ohanesian also performed the
“Blessing of the Grapes” ceremony as part of the Feast of the Assumption
of the Holy Mother-of-God. The grapes are blessed at that time as the
first fruits of the harvest.
“Like a farmer who harvests grapes, we, as an Armenian Christian
community, plant the seeds of the Lord’s love and then watch our
children grow into full members of our community,” the Primate said.
“Mark is one of those treasures we have raised into a dedicated steward
of the Armenian Church.”
— 9/22/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordains Mark Marifian as a
tbir among the parishioners of the Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church
in Belleville, IL.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Mark Marifian reads a Bible passage during the
ceremony in which he was ordained as tbir on August 15, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): During his visit to eh Holy Virgin Mary and
Shoghagat Church in Belleville, IL, on August 15, 2004, Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate, performed the “Blessing of the Grapes”
ceremony.