Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 10, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorated the memory of the Holy Ghevondian Priests (Holy Leontian). On this occasion, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Holy and Immortal Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

A total of 217 clergy members—diocesan primates, members of the monastic clergy of the Mother See, and numerous faithful—took part in the sacred ceremony.

The celebrant was Fr. Yeznik Mardiryan of the Diocese of Masyatsotn.

In his sermon, reflecting on the meaning of the day, the celebrant emphasized:

“The feat of the Holy Ghevondians is not merely a historical event, but an enduring message to live with unwavering faith. It is a call, in today’s changing world, to remain steadfast in the same spiritual struggle and to anchor our lives firmly upon Christian values.

The venerable saints’ example teaches us that faith is not only a confession, but also a strength of spirit—enabling us to withstand the trials of time, preserve fidelity to our sacred traditions, and remain faithful to the vow of Holy Etchmiadzin.”

At the conclusion of the sermon,  Fr. Yeznik offered a prayer for the intercession of the Holy Ghevondian Priests, asking the Lord to strengthen the monastic congregation of Holy Etchmiadzin, the clergy, and all the faithful and devout people.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a ceremony honouring priests took place in the Gevorgian Theological Seminary's ceremonial hall. A welcoming address was delivered by His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, who oversaw the organizing committee of the clergy assembly.

The traditional awards ceremony then followed. In recognition of devoted and fruitful pastoral service in the vineyard of the Armenian Church, several clergymen were granted the honor of Archpriest, the right to wear a floral phelonion, and the right to wear the priestly pectoral cross.

The honor of Archpriest was conferred upon:

Fr. Yesai Artenyan (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin) and
Fr. Daniel Karadjian (Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria).

The right to wear the floral phelonion was granted to:

Fr. Hovel Gamaghelyan, Fr. Ararat Poghosyan, Fr. Hambartsum Danielyan, Fr. Markos Mangasaryan, Fr. Enovk Yesayan (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin);
Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan, clergyman of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan;
Fr. Grigor Hovhannisyan (Diocese of Masyatsotn);
Fr. Yeghishe Nazaryan, Fr. Vigen Ghazaryan (Diocese of Artik);
Fr. Shavarsh Simonyan, Fr. Aram Mizoyan (Diocese of Tavush);
Fr. Tatev Marukyan (Diocese of Shirak);
Fr. Mesrop Yeritsyan (Diocese of Gegharkunik);
Fr. Virap Ghazaryan, Fr. Armash Poghosyan, Fr. Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan, Fr. Ararat Gumbalyan (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Georgia);
Fr. Khachatur Yegiazarov, Fr. Gyut Ghahramanyan (Armenian Diocese of Krasnodar and North Caucasus);
Fr. Grigor Holka, Fr. Oshakan Khachatryan (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Romania);
Fr. Avetis Hambartsumyan (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand);
Fr. Anania Babayan, Fr. Mashtots Hakobyan, Fr. Sebeos Ghalachyan, Fr. Arakel Amiryan, Fr. Markos Sargsyan, Fr. Ashot Ghazaryan, Fr. Vigen Manukyan (Diocese of the Armenian Church of New Nakhichevan and Russia);
Fr. Shnorhk Chekijian (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Switzerland).

The right to wear the priestly pectoral cross was granted to:

Fr. Vahram Sargsyan (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin);
Fr. Artak Mirzoyan, Fr. Barsegh Mkrtchyan, Fr. Koryun Papikyan, Fr. Aram Baghumyan, Fr. Yeghia Pahlavanyan (Diocese of Tavush);
Fr. Koryun Matevosyan, Fr. Sargis Sardaryan (Diocese of Shirak);
Fr. Ghevond Ghevondyan (Diocese of Masyatsotn);
Fr. Mesrob Nazarian (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Argentina);
Fr. Harutyun Sabounjian (Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America);
Fr. Yeznik Torgomian (Diocese of the Armenian Church of Romania);
Fr. Yeremia Vardanyan (Diocese of the Armenian Church of New Nakhichevan and Russia).

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians bestowed his blessing and delivered a patriarchal message to the clergy present, reflecting on the ever-radiant example of patriotism, courage, and self-sacrifice of the Holy Ghevondians—witnesses of faith in Christ.

“The Vardanants War was not merely a military confrontation, but also a spiritual battle which, under the banner ‘For Faith and for the Homeland,’ became a mighty struggle for our identity and faith, for independence and freedom.

It is no coincidence that this heroic struggle left a profound impact on our people. For centuries, the sons of our nation have drawn inspiration from the shining example of the courage of the Holy Ghevondians and Vardanants, striving steadfastly and bravely overcoming trials. Indeed, the sacred feasts of the Holy Ghevondians and Vardanants signify our people’s fidelity to God and to Christian sanctities and values, and stand as testimony to our spiritual and national identity.

The Holy Ghevondians and Vardanants exhort us not to fear, for hardships and difficulties are temporary, while the power of faith is invincible. These feasts teach us to place national interests above personal ones, and to value the spiritual, moral, and virtuous above material concerns,” His Holiness stated, adding that the Holy Ghevondians and Vardanants demonstrate that any assault upon the Church and the sacred heritage of our ancestors is destined to retreat and fail, encountering the steadfast resistance of the clergy and the devout children of our nation.

“In our days, our people face the gravest challenges; our Holy Church is subjected to various forms of repression and attack. The anti-church campaign initiated by the Prime Minister has already become overt. The Church’s mission is being obstructed, and serious harm is being inflicted upon the spiritual and ecclesiastical life of our people.

Clergy—from deacons to bishops—are subjected to persecution and coercion,” emphasized the Catholicos of All Armenians, affirming that the Church is the spiritual home of us all, and that resisting blows directed against it and defending its autonomy is a collective duty and responsibility before God, the Homeland, and future generations.

Addressing the clergy present, His Holiness exhorted:

“As servants of God and spiritual shepherds of our people, it is our sacred duty to firmly preserve our Holy Church as ‘the Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth,’ according to the apostolic word (1 Tim. 3:15). Let us together resist malicious efforts to sow division and hostility in our national and ecclesiastical life, standing as defenders of justice and truth. Let us make the spirit and national dedication of the Ghevondians and Vardanants the guiding force of the worldwide Armenian people, paving the way—through steadfast faith, brotherly love, and national unity—toward spiritual renewal and the building of a prosperous future for our people in a spirit of harmony.”

In conclusion, congratulating the clergy on the Feast of the Holy Ghevondians and the priests who received awards, the Catholicos offered a prayer that Almighty God, through the intercession of the Holy Ghevondians and Vardanants, grant peace to the whole world, strengthen the resolve of the clergy to serve and act for the good and defense of the Homeland and national interests, and for the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.