Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 24, on the occasion of the feast of St. Vardan the Warrior and His Companions, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Divine Liturgy was celebrated, during which the ordination and consecration of priests was offered in the Holy Mother of God Church in the Diocese of Armavir (Etchmiadzin City).

Present at the Divine Liturgy were Primates of the Armenian Dioceses, the Brotherhood of the Mother See, and many Armenian pilgrims.

The Celebrant was His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, who consecrated and ordained the eight deacons, serving in various structures and dioceses of the Mother See, to the Holy Order of Priesthood.  

During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Armash consecrated the foreheads and hands of the new priests with Holy Chrism (Muron) and gave them new names. Deacon Kamo Tazayan was renamed Father Ghevond; Deacon Davit Movsesyan was renamed Father Adam; Deacon Artashes Nersisyan was renamed Father Vardan; Deacon Spartak Israyelyan was renamed Father Arsen; Deacon Hrach Sultanyan was renamed Father Artak; Deacon Yeghishe Harutyunyan was renamed Father Hovsep; Deacon Sarkis Mkrtchyan was renamed Father Daniel; Deacon Davit Hunanyan was renamed Father Harutyun.

Following the consecration, the priests offered their first blessings to the faithful present. Then, His Grace Bishop Armash, reflecting on the sacrament of the day in his sermon, stated in part; “Centuries later, the generations of St. Vardan the Warrior and His Companions, our heroes, Vardans of our days, fight for the faith, for the Homeland. Yes, Apostolic Christianity is our identity and our skin color, which cannot be changed. The history and time have proved that. Today, many people prove it with their words and deeds, as well as our heroes, the defenders of our Fatherland - with their martyrdom, sacrifice for the Homeland and for the faith. The sacred path created by St. Vardan the Warrior and His Companions, is still significant, obligatory and imperative for us”.

Addressing his speech to the newly ordained priests, His Grace Bishop Armash stated; “With the consecration to the Holy Order of Priesthood, first of all, you are given the authority to stand in front of the Holy Altar of God and sanctify the bread and wine. You have the authority to prepare the Holy Communion, the true Body and Blood of Christ, to offer to the faithful for comfort and remission of sins. Indeed, you are called to spread the word of the Gospel, to proclaim God's salvation. Thus, in your service as a Priest, you must glorify Christ, so that everyone may join in the Savior”.

Celebrant Bishop Armash also affirmed that it is the duty of the priests, as servants of the Holy Altar, to anchor the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people, that they have the firm promise of sanctification, apology and salvation.

“And finally you are invited to head the faithful. Preach the Crucifixion of Christ and His miraculous Resurrection. Love your faithful. Become brave pastors, comfort everyone, help the needy with a compassionate spirit, visit the sick and share their pains and joys. But, in particular, love everyone. Remember that you felt to know Christ. Be His humble, faithful, powerful servants”, conveyed his message His Grace Bishop Armash, urging the newly ordained priests to establish the power of God in the souls of the people, through the sacred sacraments of the Church.

On behalf of the Brotherhood and the faithful present, His Grace congratulated the Pontiff of All Armenians on the occasion of His Naming Day, wishing that Lord keep His Pontifical Staff prosperous in order to head the faithful, give Him longevity, health and productive enthronement, for the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the brightness of the Armenian Nation.

Then, His Holiness and the Clergy present, ascended the Holy Altar and congratulated the newly ordained priests, kissing the newly consecrated clergyman on their foreheads and hands.

Following the Divine Liturgy, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, a Pontifical Prayer was offered.

The Clergy and the faithful prayed to God for the steadfastness and brightness of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, the longevity of the Pontiff of All Armenians and His productive enthronement.

Following the traditional 40-day seclusion period, the newly ordained priests will be appointed to serve in different Dioceses and structures of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.