Priestly Ordination Held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
26.10.2025
On October 26, the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a priestly ordination was celebrated during the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Descent of the Only-Begotten. On the occasion of the feast, a relic of the Holy Cross of the Savior was brought out for the veneration of the faithful.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Syunik, during which six deacons serving in various structures of the Armenian Apostolic Church were ordained and anointed to the holy priesthood.
During the sacrament, Bishop Makar anointed the foreheads and hands of the newly ordained with the Holy Chrism and bestowed upon them their new spiritual names:
Rev. Deacon Tigran Hakobyan received the name Fr. Avetis,
Rev. Deacon Simon Igitian — Fr. David,
Rev.Deacon Grigor Avoyan — Fr. Garnik,
Rev. Deacon Artur Hovhannisyan — Fr. Mesrop,
Rev. Deacon Hakob Gevorgyan — Fr. Hovnan,
Rev. Deacon Hayk Tovmasyan — Fr. Nshan.
Afterward, the newly ordained priests imparted their first blessings to the faithful.
In his sermon, Bishop Makar reflected on the mystery of the priesthood, noting that each ordination brings new strength and inspiration to the Church. The newly anointed, he said, will help deepen faith, love, and humility among the people, joining their elder brothers who already walk the blessed path of the Cross.
“Dear priests,” he said, “I exhort you to remain faithful to the vows you have made before the Holy Altar, to walk according to the commandments and canons of the saints, and to be obedient to your spiritual superiors.
Follow the way of the Cross — the narrow path that leads to eternal life — and remember that broad paths lead to destruction.
Take example from the fathers and brothers around us who have chosen the narrow path; their hearts are filled with unwavering faith and love toward the Holy Etchmiadzin. With the words of the Apostle, we remind ourselves: ‘And if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together’ (Romans 8:17).”
His Grace Bishop Makar called upon the newly ordained priests to serve the Holy Church in righteousness — with sincere faith and a clear mind, with diligence and devotion, in humility and meekness.
During the hymn “Greeting” (Voghjuyn), under the leadership of the Catholicos of All Armenians, monastic congregants of the Mother See and the attending clergy approached the Holy Altar to congratulate the newly ordained, kissing their anointed foreheads and hands.
To the chant of “Lord, have mercy”, the clergy and faithful offered prayers for the liberation of the unjustly imprisoned — Archbishops Mikael and Bagrat, Bishop Mkrtich, Fr. Garegin, benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and all captives and hostages — and for peace and prosperity in the homeland.
The newly ordained priests will spend forty days in prayer and preparation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, after which they will be assigned to serve in various dioceses and structures of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
