Granting of Degree of Senior Archimandrite
21.02.2016
On February 20, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananayan, Director of the Inter-Church relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was granted the degree of Senior Archimandrite in the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan. The oral defense of the doctoral thesis of Father Shahe was held on February 19 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The service was offered by His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of France.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Vahan refelected on the activities of Father Shahe, specifically noting in his congratulatory speech: “As an elder brother, over the years I have seen Father Shahe’s spiritual growth and his great theological and apostolic preparedness. Father Shahe has received high academic titles in France and today also continues his theological studies through publishing numerous articles in the Mother See and editing the Mother See magazine and various other books”.
Bishop Vahan expressed his wish that Almighty God continues to pour His graces to Father Shahe, so that he is strengthened, and with Lord's blessings, continues his struggle against the darkness, preaching God's love, peace and graces.
On February 21, His Holiness Karekin II received Father Shahe, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of Mother See.
His Holiness conveyed his appreciation and Pontifical blessings to Father Shahe on the occasion of receiving the degree of Senior Archimandrite. He expressed confidence that Fr. Shahe will continue to bring his spiritual and scientific service for the benefit of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church with the same zeal.
On this occasion, His Holiness granted Fr. Shahe the right to wear the Pectoral Cross.
