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: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
December 7, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Assigns New Priests

By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, nineteen newly-ordained priests
have been appointed to serve in the dioceses and programs of the Holy
Armenian Apostolic Church.

All of the new priests, the first twelve graduates of the Accelerated
Academic Course for the Priesthood and seven graduates of the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary were anointed and ordained into the
Holy Order of Priesthood in October of this year by His Grace Bishop
Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Following their ordinations, the new priests completed the traditional
40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation and prayer. On Sunday,
November 21, the new priests celebrated their inaugural Divine
Liturgies at different churches throughout Armenia.

The order of His Holiness assigns the priests as follows:

Rev. Fr. Norayr Simonian is appointed as a chaplain in the Armenian
Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Chaplaincy program currently has 25
priests and deacons who provide spiritual care and leadership to the
Armenian soldiers.

The Araratian Pontifical Diocese, the largest diocese in the world,
will receive four new priests: Rev. Fr. Ghazar Petrossian is assigned
to the town of Byureghavan, Rev. Fr. Babgen Hayrapetian in Noubarashen,
Rev. Fr. Tovmas Andreasian to the village of Dalar, and Rev. Fr. Husik
Nurijanian is assigned to the Monastery of Khor Virap.

The Dioceses of Shirak will receive two new priests: Rev. Fr. Yeznik
Galsdian in Akhurian, and Rev. Fr. Pavstos Sargisian in Artik.
Rev. Fr. Moushé Vahanian and Rev. Fr. Manuel Mkrtchian have been
appointed to serve in the Diocese of Aragatsotn, in Chk’nagh and
Ashtarak respectively. Within the Diocese of Gougark, Rev. Fr. Simeon
Arakelian will serve in the city of Ijevan and Rev. Fr. Vrtanes
Baghalian will be in the city of Vanadzor. Rev. Fr. Nerses
Shahnazarian will serve in Chambarak, in the Diocese of Gegharkunik.
Completing the dioceses within Armenia, Rev. Fr. Mashtots Babayan
is assigned to the city of Abovian and Rev. Fr. Smbat Sargisian will
serve in Arindj, both in the Diocese of Kotayk.

His Holiness has appointed three priests to bring their service to the
Diocese of Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno Karabagh): Rev. Fr. Arakel
Ghazarian, Rev. Fr. Gyut Ghahramanian and Rev. Fr. Matteos Dravants.

Finally, the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan will receive
two new priests. Rev. Fr. Anania Babayan will serve in the city of
Rostov and Rev. Fr. Aristakes Hovhanissian has been assigned to Moscow.

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