Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On May 12, Episcopal ordinations and consecrations were held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the celebration of Divine Liturgy Rev. Fr. Serovbe Isakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany; Rev. Fr. Daniel Fntigyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; and Rev. Fr. Tiran Petrosyan, Pontifical Delegate of Central Europe and Sweden were consecrated, ordained and elevated in rank, by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

On the occasion of the celebrations, Diocesan Primates of the Armenian Church, pilgrims from the Armenian Diocese of Germany, the Eastern Diocese of the US and the Pontifical Delegation of Central Europe and Sweden, as well as His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, representatives of the Sisiter Chruches and delegates of Ecumenical structures of the mentioned countries.

The previous day, before the Evening Service, the service of candidature was held in the St. Trdat Open Altar, during which the bishops reaffirmed their covenant faithfulness to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and signed their oaths.

On the same day, in the Open Altar, a public examination was made of the orthodox faith of the candidates. Representatives of the Armenian Church from the Federal Republic of Germany, United States and Austria, as well as scribes, deacons, priests, bishops, as well as laymen representing different classes of society, approached His Holiness and publicaly bore witness on behalf of the candidates.

On May 12, the Divine Liturgy began with the solemn procession, which led His Holiness Karekin II and His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius to the St. Trdat Open Altar, where the sacred service began.

Assisting His Holiness were His Eminence Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan, Pontifical Delegate of Western Europe and His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranyan, Dean of the Monasteries of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, testified for the spiritual and religious training and virtues of the candidates. The choir of the Mother Cathedral was headed by Mr. Khoren Mekhanehyan.

Under the singing of the hymn “divine and celestial grace” the Archmindrates faced the faithful and raised their hands as a sign of rejection of all that is worldly.

After prayers to God, the service of consecration was offered, during which His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See brought the Holy Chrism. His Holiness called the Archmindrates Serovbe, Daniel and Tiran, to the rank of bishop, and consecrated the candidates’ foreheads and the thumbs of their right hand with Holy Chrism, following which the symbols of episcopacy- the Episcopal staff and ring, were presented to the newly consecrated bishops.

The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed his Pontificial message to the newly consecrated bishops and the pious faithful, present on this joyful occasion.

REMARKS OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS

ON THE OCCASION OF THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;

because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;

he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives

, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound”
(Isaiah 61:1-2)

Dear faithful,

We are all now experiencing great joy and happiness. 

According to the words of Isaiah's prophecy, the Savior establishes prophetic and apostolic ranks of the church service: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19). 

Assuming the high responsibility of the spiritual service, the Bishop is the follower and the example of our Savior, who at the time of His earthly mission, lived to evangelize the word of life, to satisfy the spiritual hunger, to comfort and liberate those who are under the control of sin. The Apostle Paul's message is the conformation of the Bishop's description and activities: “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:7-9).

Our history is rich with testimonies of bishops with sacred and devoted behavior, who have made good examples of their apostolic service. And today also we have the same expectation from the bishops, to pit every effort so that the Armenians can be more involved in our church sacraments, sacred traditions, reassess our priceless spiritual heritage, to keep their faith, live high Christian values and walk through the path of salvation.

With great joy we present to you our dear spiritual fathers.

His Grace Bishop Serovbe Isakhanyan- was born in Iran, studied at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in Holy Etchmiadzin. Bishop Serovbe has served in the Mother See, Armenian communities in Central Asia, then for many years he continued his spiritual service in the Armenian Diocese of Germany. On April in 2018, by the election of the Parliamentary Assembly of the German-Armenian Diocese he was called to serve as Primate of the Diocese. 

Rev. Fr. Daniel Fntigyan-was born in USA, has studied at the New York State University, St. Nerses seiminary, St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary, then in Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. For many years, he has served in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and on May in 2018 has been elected as Primate of the same diocese.

Rev. Fr. Tiran Petrosyan- was born in Armenia, received spiritual education at the Vazgenian Theological Seminary in Sevan and the Gevorkian Theological Seminary. He brought his service at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary as Dean, then in Armenian communities of Central Europe. Since 2013 he serves as a Pontifical Delegate of Central Europe and Sweden.

Through prayers to God we ask for the Lord's constant support. May the prayers of Apostles St. Thaddeus and Bartholomew, St. Gregory the Illuminator and all our holy fathers support you in your high mission. From the bottom of Our heart, we pray to Almighty God, that the Armenian Church; founded by the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew and established by our Patriarch St. Gregory the Illuminator; which is the ark for the salvation of all Armenians, be kept bright by your courageous service. We also ask that our Lord supports you to proceed without offense on the path of service, to add new successes to your achievements in the annals of the Holy Church over the years, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

May the grace, love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all. Amen

After the Pontifical message, all the clergy ascended to the Holy Altar to receive “The Kiss of Peace” from the newly ordained. Following the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the faithful approached the bema, and congratulated them on the occasion of their consecration.

Following the ordinations, the newly ordained bishops will each celebrate Divine Liturgy.