On October 26, the Feast of the Exaltation 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 in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. This was announced by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
On the feast, a particle of the Holy Cross was also brought out for veneration by the faithful.
The service was celebrated by the Primate of the Syunik Diocese, His Grace Bishop Makar Hakobyan, who ordained and ordained six deacons who had served in various church structures.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Makar,
having called the newly ordained priests to the priesthood, anointed their foreheads and hands with holy chrism and bestowed new spiritual names upon the newly ordained clergy.
His Grace Tigran Deacon Hakobyan was renamed Father Avetis, Deacon Simon Igityan was renamed Father David, Deacon Grigor Avoyan was renamed Father Garnik, Deacon Artur Ohanyan was renamed Father Mesrop, Deacon Hakob Gevorkyan was renamed Father Hovhan, and Deacon Hayk Tovmasyan was renamed Father Nshan.
Then the newly ordained priests bestowed their first blessing upon those present.
In his homily, addressing the Council of Priests, the Holy Father emphasized that each ordination brings new strength, enthusiasm, and love to the present and future, for newly ordained priests come to strengthen the faith, love, and humility of our people, becoming a support and companion for their elder brothers who are already walking the blessed way of the cross.
“Dear Father Priests, I wish that you remain faithful to the vow you made before the holy altar, that you be prepared to fulfill all the commandments and live according to the rules of the saints, without rebelling against your spiritual guides. I wish that you walk the way of the cross, which is narrow and leads to eternal life, while the other, broad, leads to destruction.” “Take the example of our fathers, our brothers who live and labor alongside us, who walk the narrow path with unwavering faith, filled with unwavering love for Holy Etchmiadzin, and who strengthen us with their perseverance, saying, ‘If we share in the Lord’s sufferings, we shall also share in His glory’ (Rom. 8:17),” said Bishop Makar.
In conclusion, the priest called on the newly ordained clergy to serve our Holy Church with holy conduct, righteous faith, enlightened minds, the patience of a diligent worker, humility, and meekness.
Then, during the welcoming liturgy, led by the Patriarch of All Armenians, the brethren of the Mother See and the clergy present rose to the altar and congratulated the newly ordained priests, kissing their myrrh-bearing foreheads and hands.
During the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and faithful in attendance offered a special prayer for the release of the illegally imprisoned Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, Bishop Mkrtich, Priest Karekin, the public benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and all prisoners, as well as for the peaceful and prosperous life of the Fatherland.
The newly ordained priests will spend forty days of preparation and prayer at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, after which they will be called to serve in various structures and dioceses of the Armenian Church.