PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
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April 16, 2007

"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel…" (St. Mark 16:15)

Twelve New Priests Ordained in Holy Etchmiadzin

On New Sunday, April 15, twelve new priests were ordained in the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin.  His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided as His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, celebrated the joyous liturgy and anointed the new priests.

The previous evening, during the Service of the Calling, the twelve deacons
on bended knees before the Holy Altar of Descent in the Mother Cathedral,
professed the true faith and renounced the false teachings of heretics and
schismatics.

As the Divine Liturgy commenced on Sunday morning, the twelve candidates
stood before the bema of the main altar.  Prior to the reading from the Holy
Gospel, the deacons ascended the bema and approached the celebrant bishop to
begin the service of ordination.

The candidates faced westward and raised their arms in renunciation of the
secular world as the deacons and choir sang a hymn confirming that the men
are worthy of this responsible calling.  The bishop then vested them with
their stole and cape as a sign of their putting on the `yoke of Christ’ and
laid his hands upon them in accord with the tradition of apostolic
succession.

Afterwards, the candidates were clothed in their liturgical vestments and
presented themselves, one at a time, for anointing by the ordaining bishop. 
His Eminence consecrated each forehead, then the right and left hands of the
new priest with Holy Chrism (Muron), granting him a new name.

Deacon Armen Khatchatrian became Fr. Jirayr, Deacon Hovhannes Amirian was
renamed Fr. Arakel, Deacon Gevork Haroutiunian became Fr. Yeprem, Deacon
Garnik Kirakosian was renamed Fr. Haroutiun, Deacon Artak Ohanian became Fr.
Hovel, Deacon Hmayak Manoukian was renamed Fr. Vigen, Deacon Andranik
Minasian became Fr. Soghomon, Deacon Hayk Amirian was renamed Fr. Maghakia,
Deacon Garik Grigorian became Fr. Sipan, Deacon Vahe Poghosian became Fr.
Armash, Deacon Ogsen Mirzoyan became Fr. Aram, and Deacon Gevork Zeynalian
became Fr. Manouk.

His Eminence then handed them the chalice, transferring to them the right to
administer Holy Communion.  Prior to the Kiss of Peace, the Catholicos of
All Armenians and the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin
ascended the bema and congratulated the twelve newest priests of the
Armenian Church.

In his sermon, Abp. Hovnan addressed the new priests and noted, "For many
years, your souls, minds, hearts and your very beings were nourished and
filled with the sacred faith of our fathers, with the teachings of Christ
which emanate and live in the Gospels.  The Christian, the priest, the
clergyman, the true pastor grew and developed over time within each of you,
all in preparation for this moment.  From this point on, you will become
spiritual consolation for our holy Church and her faithful sons and
daughters through your devoted service.  Your lives shall become the new oil
that burns in the lanterns of Holy Etchmiadzin and thereby you shall
transmit new light, new joy, new excitement, new strength of faith and
spirit to the children of our nation."

In attendance for the Divine Liturgy and ordinations were bishops from the
Catholicosate of All Armenians, the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia and other high ranking clergymen.  Also present for the service were
guests from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and
the family and friends of the new priests.

Later that same day, prior to evening services, the Granting of the Cowl
service was offered for two of the twelve.  Fr. Haroutiun and Fr. Maghakia,
having chosen the ranks of celibate priesthood, were vested with their cowls
and became members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The twelve new priests began their traditional 40-day period of seclusion –
a time of mediation, prayer, fasting and spiritual preparation prior to
their first divine liturgy.  At the conclusion of their forty days, the
priests shall be assigned to serve in the various dioceses and departments
of the Armenian Church.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress