PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: info@ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

TWO MONKS OF THE BROTHERHOOD MAGAR AND KEGHART
ELEVATED TO THE RANK OF VARTABED

On Sunday 15 March during the Holy Liturgy Father Magar Ashkarian and father
Keghart Kuspekian were elevated to the rank of Vartabed (Doctor of the
Church), according to the teachings of St. Gregory of Datev. In the Armenian
Orthodox Church monks are ordained as Vartabed after writing a theological
thesis and successfully defending their work in front of a panel headed by
the Catholicos, the Supreme Spiritual Leader.

His Holiness Aram I blessed their elevation and ordination to the rank of
Vartabed after they presented their works and answered the questions raised
by the panel. Bishop Nareg Alemezian performed the order of ordination on
that Sunday. In his sermon the Bishop said that this new vocation of
teaching and preaching bestowed on them by the Church is the recognition of
the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Church through them. Therefore, as
they preach and teach they should always remember the presence of the Holy
Spirit among them and guide their community accordingly.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos363.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.