Catholicos of All Armenians Receives the Deaconate of the Mother See
25.12.2025
On December 25, on the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received the serving clergy of the Mother See and students of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, including the newly ordained deacons, accompanied by the Ecclesiarch of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Reverend Archimandrite Anania Tsaturyan, Director of the “Garegin I” Educational Center, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannessian, and Inspector of the Gevorgian Seminary, the Very Reverend Protoarchimandrite Shahe Ananyan.
After the Lord’s Prayer, the deacons greeted the Primate of the Armenian Church with the spiritual hymn “Stepanos, Sweet Dove”. On behalf of the newly ordained deacons, the Very Reverend Vram Harutyunyan expressed gratitude to His Holiness for his paternal love and care, promising to fulfill the expectations of the Armenian Patriarch in the field of spiritual service.
Thereafter, Bishop Vahan Hovhannessian, having requested the blessing of the Armenian Patriarch, presented the newly ordained deacons to His Holiness.
The Supreme Patriarch, congratulating the serving clergy of the Mother See and the newly ordained deacons on their feast day and imparting his paternal blessing, reflected on the example of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian Church, emphasizing that every clergyman should be guided by the spirit of dedication and selfless service exemplified by the holy Archdeacon.
His Holiness encouraged taking inspiration from the holy fathers of the Church, who, for the sake of God, the Church, and the homeland, inspired by the example of the First Deacon, with steadfast spirit, firm faith, and zeal, devoted their lives to strengthening the spiritual life of the people, the splendor of the Church, and the renewal of the homeland.
The Armenian Patriarch noted that at all times the Church has faced trials, which were overcome through the devoted and selfless service of the clergy. Today, in response to the new challenges of the time, the Armenian clergyman is called to unite the faithful around the Church and lead them toward peace and unity through the preaching of the Gospel.
His Holiness urged the deaconate to follow the example of St. Stephen, taking as their guide his faith, love of God, and courageous spirit, and to bring their service to the Church of Christ and the homeland.
In conclusion, the Supreme Patriarch answered questions from the deaconate concerning the mission of the Church and the overcoming of the trials it faces.
