Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On May 4, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a priestly ordination took place at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin during the Divine Liturgy.

The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Partev Barseghyan, Primate of the Gegharkunik Diocese, through whom seven deacons, serving in various diocesan and administrative structures of the Mother See, were ordained and anointed as priests.
During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Partev called the newly ordained to the priesthood, anointed their foreheads and hands with the Holy Myrrh, and bestowed upon them new spiritual names.

The Honored Deacon Hovhannes Asatryan became Father Sepuh;

The Honored Deacon Harutyun Martirosyan became Father Aren;

The Honored Deacon Hovhannes Pahlevanyan became Father Yeghia;

The Honored Deacon Mkrtich Ter-Mkrtchyan became Father Maghakia;

The Honored Deacon Eprem Epremyan became Father Mkhitar;

The Honored Deacon Tigran Hakobyan became Father Hovsep;

The Honored Deacon Mayis Karapetyan became Father Vazgen.

Following the ordination, the newly ordained priests imparted their first blessing to those present.

In his sermon, His Grace reflected on the mystery of the priesthood, saying: "Today, on Green (Universal) Sunday, which commemorates the establishment of Christ’s Church, we performed the ordination of seven deacons in the sacred sanctuary of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. This act symbolizes the fruitfulness of the Church. And now, dear ones, the Armenian Apostolic Church, enriched with seven new servants, experiences a new spiritual spring."
He encouraged the newly ordained to face the challenges of spiritual service with courage, as it is through adversity that the best qualities of an individual are revealed.
He also urged them to serve the Church selflessly, remain true to the holy traditions of the blessed fathers, and inspire the faithful by living according to divine commandments. By doing so, they will help the nation realize its dreams and aspirations, achieving new victories. He further stated:
"Let the example of our Lord Jesus Christ guide your service, leading our people with virtuous conduct. Be steadfast and unwavering in your mission, spreading love, harmony, tolerance, and unity among the faithful. May your priestly service be fruitful within both the national and ecclesiastical realms, strengthening our country and glorifying the name of the Armenian Apostolic Church."
During the 'Greetings' ceremony, the clergy present under the guidance of the Supreme Patriarch ascended to the Holy Sanctuary to congratulate the newly ordained priests, kissing their foreheads and hands, which had been marked with the Holy Myrrh.
Later that evening, a vesting ceremony was held in the Mother Cathedral, during which Fathers Sepuh, Maghakia, Mkhitar, Hovsep, and Vazgen received their vestments and were formally inducted into the brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Subsequently, His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians received the newly ordained priests and offered them his paternal blessings and guidance.
The newly ordained priests will spend forty days of preparation and prayer at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin before being assigned to serve in various dioceses and structures of the Armenian Church.