On the Feast of St. Stephen, a Diaconal Ordination Took Place at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
25.12.2025
On December 25, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church solemnly celebrated the commemoration of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, which is also the feast day of deacons serving in the vineyard of the Church.
On this joyous occasion, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Holy and Immortal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannessian, Director of the “Garegin I” Educational Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
During the sacred service, in accordance with the established tradition of the Armenian Church, nine students of the final year of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary and three students of the graduating class of the Clergy Preparation Program were ordained to the diaconate through the laying on of hands by His Grace Bishop Vahan.
On the previous day, December 24, before the Holy Altar of the Descent in the Mother Cathedral, the ceremony of conferring the ranks of reader, orarion-bearer, and subdeacon had taken place.
In his homily, the Bishop first congratulated the newly ordained deacons, exhorting them to follow the example of St. Stephen the First Deacon. He then extended his congratulations to the Primate of the Armenian Church, the leadership of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the administration of the seminary and the Clergy Preparation Program, the brotherhood, parents, and the faithful on the occasion of the diaconal ordination.
Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of the feast and on the life, ministry, and spiritual feat of St. Stephen, His Grace urged the newly ordained deacons to rely on God’s power and strength in their service, to remain steadfast in prayer, and to make prayer their weapon for overcoming temptations, evil, and persecutions, following the example of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and being ever forgiving.
“Forgiveness is not weakness, nor is it frailty; forgiveness is courage. Only the courageous can pray for their persecutors and say, ‘Lord, forgive them.’ Let us be forgiving toward one another and pray for those who persecute us,” said Bishop Vahan.
In conclusion, His Grace called upon those present to take St. Stephen the Protomartyr as an example in their lives and to raise prayers to God, that the Almighty may strengthen all in faith and vocation, that the Armenian Church may grow ever stronger, and that the people and the homeland may live by faith, remaining faithful to the Gospel and to our Lord Jesus Christ.
