Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Newly Ordained Priests
18.12.2017
On December 18, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received six newly ordained priests, led by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of Mother See.
Bishop Hovnan introduced His Holiness to the newly ordained clergy and asked for the blessings of the Armenian Pontiff.
Catholicos Karekin II conveyed his congratulations to Rev. Fr. Mkhitar Aharonyan; Rev. Fr. Njdeh Keshishyan; Rev. Fr. Kirakos Simonyan; Rev. Fr. Hrant Manookian; Rev. Fr. Kerovbe Barseghian and Rev. Fr. Serovbe Patvakanyan; expressing joy on the occasion of their ordination.
His Holiness emphasized the great need for priests, stating that the newly ordained priests come to fill the shortage of spiritual shepherds caused by persecution of priests during the Armenian Genocide and the Soviet years. His Holiness added that they should continue the mission of the martyred clergymen, realizing their dreams and vision through their humble and devoted service to the life of the Church.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also called the attention of the newly ordained to the character of the clergy, specifically mentioning that spiritual service is both an honor and responsibility, therefore, the young spiritual servants, through their high consciousness and love, should be committed to their mission, enriching and brightening the Armenian Church.
The Pontiff urged the priests to be a good example for the faithful, and through their godly, pious, and patriotic service grant joy and comfort to the faithful people, to further enhance the good reputation and authority of the Armenian Church.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness blessed the newly ordained priests with the “Protector” Prayer and gifted to each of them a “Mashtots” breviary.
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