PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
March 29, 2006

35 New Deacons Ordained in Holy Etchmiadzin

This year on the 23rd of February – the Feast of Sts. Vartanants, 35
young graduates of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were ordained to
the diaconate during the celebration of Divine Liturgy in the Mother
See of All Armenians. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the liturgy which was
celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Nerses Bozabalian.

As has become a tradition, the “Feast of St. Vartan the Commander and
His Companions” is celebrated with great pageantry in Holy Etchmiadzin,
as it is one of the most loved feasts of the Armenian nation. The
highlight of the day is the service of ordination which takes place
in the Mother Cathedral. In some years the ordinations are to the
priesthood, and in others, as in this year, they are to the diaconate.

This year’s celebrations resulted in 35 new deacons who joined
the ranks of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin as its youngest
members. This was the first time in the modern history of the Armenian
Church that such a large number of young men have been ordained all
at once.

In recent years on this day, Armenians worldwide celebrate the
naming day of the Armenian Pontiff, His Holiness Karekin II. At the
conclusion of Divine Liturgy, a special Pontifical Blessing service
was offered before the Holy Altar of Descent of the Mother Cathedral,
whereby the faithful joined with the class of clergy in raising their
prayers to heaven, wishing His Holiness a long, productive reign,
a healthy and fruitful life, and unshakeable strength and prosperity
for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Among the countless faithful, were hundreds of soldiers from the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Armenia, who had come with their commanding
officers to participate in the Divine Liturgy. His Holiness blessed
the servicemen, calling them the new “Vartans” of our day, asking
that God grant them faith, willpower and a spirit of victory.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress