PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)-686-0710
Fax: (212)-689-1934
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July 28, 2009
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ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN ORDAINS 27 PRIESTS IN ARMENIA

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), ordained 27 deacons into the holy priesthood on
Sunday, July 19, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan.

Archbishop Barsamian performed the ordination at the invitation of His
Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
who presided over the Divine Liturgy on that day.

A total of 18 deacons were ordained as married priests, and nine deacons
were ordained as celibate priests in what was the largest ordination in the
recent history of the Armenian Church. The day also marked the Feast of
Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

More than 1,500 people attended the inspiring service, including Mr. Tigran
Sargsyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, government officials,
and other dignitaries.

Garbed in blue deacons’ vestments, the candidates approached the altar as a
group, on their knees. With the deacons kneeling with hands raised parallel
to their heads, Archbishop Barsamian asked the congregation if they deemed
the candidates worthy to serve as priests of the Armenian Church.

This ritual – one of the most memorable parts of an ordination service –
invites the participation of the faithful. Many left their pews to get a
closer look at the special ceremony, lifting up small children and reaching
over the crowd to snap the occasional photograph.

Archbishop Barsamian next placed his hands on each deacon’s head –
performing the "laying on of hands" which binds all priests of the Armenian
Church into the "apostolic succession" that links priests through the
generations back to the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who brought
Christianity to Armenia in the first century.

Archbishop Barsamian then removed the deacons’ stoles and placed these
around their necks, symbolically bestowing on them the responsibilities of
the priesthood. As the deacons stepped forward one by one, Archbishop
Barsamian consecrated their foreheads and their right and left hands with
Holy Chrism (Muron). In the course of this consecration, each deacon was
assigned a new priestly name.

"We believe that you who are the loyal and faithful servants of God are
ready to dedicate yourselves to the Armenian people, to the Armenian Church,
to our homeland, and to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin," Archbishop
Barsamian said during his sermon.

The new priests are ready to carry out Christ’s mission, Archbishop
Barsamian said, reminding them of Christ’s commission to the Apostles: "Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to
the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

"The role of the Armenian priest is very important," Archbishop Barsamian
added. "With his words, with his preaching, with his ministry, the priest
shares Christ’s message – the message of peace, the message of love, the
message of friendship."

Archbishop Barsamian also congratulated His Holiness Karekin II and
expressed his wish for the continuing renewal and prosperity of the Armenian
Church.

"It is moving for both the clergy and the laity to witness 27 deacons
committing themselves to the service of God," Archbishop Barsamian said. "We
are grateful to God, and we pray that He may grant these new priests the
blessings of the Holy Spirit, and guide and inspire them in their ministry."

The newly ordained priests gave their first blessings to the faithful at the
St. Gregory Cathedral. Following the service, they lined up at the foot of
the altar, greeting friends and family and again offering their blessings.
His Holiness and the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin
congratulated the new priests, kissing their foreheads and hands.

The day’s Divine Liturgy and ordination service were broadcast live on
Armenian Public Television (Channel 1), with assistance from Holy
Etchmiadzin and the Shoghakat TV Company.

In the evening, Archbishop Barsamian granted the nine celibate priests the
veghar – the monastic cowl, or hood – during a service at the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin. Upon taking the oath of celibacy and signing the oath of
fidelity, the nine priests became members of the Brotherhood of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

Following the traditional 40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation, and
prayer, the new priests will be appointed to serve in different dioceses of
the Armenian Church or at various departments of the Holy See.

The following deacons were ordained as priests by Archbishop Barsamian:
Deacon Khoren Manukian, renamed Father Movses; Deacon Sargis Ayvazian,
renamed Father Sargis; Deacon Sahak Sahakian, renamed Father Davit; Deacon
Noy Nazarian, renamed Father Shahe; Deacon Hakob Gevorkian, renamed Father
Andranik; Deacon Vahagn Ignatevosian, renamed Father Stepanos; Deacon Arsen
Haroutiunian, renamed Father Nerses; Deacon Hrachya Sagakian, renamed Father
Galoust; Deacon Artak Stepanian, renamed Father Babken; Deacon Roustam
Petrosian, renamed Father Haroutiun; Deacon Arthur Mkhitarian, renamed
Father Tigran; Deacon Sargis Kesablian, renamed Father Hovhannes; Deacon
Eduard Sahakian, renamed Father Hayk; Deacon Khachatur Gyozalian, renamed
Father Vart; Deacon Smbat Vardazarian, renamed Father Arakel; Deacon Mikayel
Barseghian, renamed Father Tadeos; Deacon Avetik Hovhannisian, renamed
Father Nikoghos; Deacon Ashot Mirzoyan, renamed Father Gevork; Deacon Armen
Khachatrian, renamed Father Yeghia; Deacon Edgar Hovhannisian, renamed
Father Levon; Deacon Hayk Mkrtchian, renamed Father Vatche; Deacon Hovhannes
Aznavourian, renamed Father Sedrak; Deacon Tatoul Hambardzumian, renamed
Father Karekin; Deacon Norayr Sahakian, renamed Father Hakob; Deacon Norayr
Gharibian, renamed Father Sahak; Deacon Armen Hmayakian, renamed Father
Nshan; Deacon Narek Vardanian, renamed Father Poghos.

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CAPTIONS:

Photo1: More than 1,500 people attended the Ordination Service on Sunday,
July 19 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan.

Photo2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian anoints the forehead of one of the
candidates with the Holy Muron.

Photo3: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with the newly ordained priests pose for
a group photo.

Photo4: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses the newly ordained priests.