Catholicos of All Armenians Received the Deacons of the Mother See
25.12.2023
On December 25, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the deacons of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, deacons serving in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the newly ordained deacons on the occasion of the feast of St. Stephen the Proto-Deacon, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Artsakh has been appointed as Director of the Artsakh spiritual and cultural heritage office; and Proto-Archimandrite Shahe Ananyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.
The deacons greeted the Armenian Pontiff singing the hymn “St. Stephen, Sweet Bird”, then, following the Lord’s Prayer, on behalf of the members of the Brotherhood, His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan addressed His Holiness, emphasizing that the deacons have gathered to receive the Blessing of the Armenian Patriarch.
Then, the Pontiff of All Armenians conveyed his Pontifical massage and Blessings to the serving and new ordained deacons on the occasion of the sacarament of the day, referred to the personality and image of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian Church, emphasizing that every clergyman should carry within himself the spirit of dedication and martyrdom of the Proto-Deacon. The Armenian Patriarch urged the deacons to follow Saint Stephen's dedication, faith, love towards God, and brave spirit as an example, to bring their service to the Church of Christ and to the motherland, to selflessly preach the gospel of Christ, glorifying the Crucified Lord.
His Holiness also urged them to imitate their church brothers, who with dedication and courage, not sparing their lives, and with a high awareness of the deacon's self-sacrifice, stood on the front line next to the Armenian soldier, to buckle up and encourage the latter.
The Catholicos of All Armenians spoke with satisfaction about the deacons who served in Dadivank with commitment, brave spirit and love, in difficult and hard conditions.
The Armenian Patriarch also noted the importance of the implementation of the deacons' caring mission towards the depatriated Artsakh citizens, urging to make every effort to support them.
At the conclusion, His Holiness wished that God would always inspire, enthuse and gird the deacons in order to make their service as effective as possible.
