His Holiness Karekin II Assigns New Priests
07.12.2004
By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, nineteen newly-ordained priests have been appointed to serve in the dioceses and programs of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.
All of the new priests, the first twelve graduates of the Accelerated Academic Course for the Priesthood and seven graduates of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were anointed and ordained into the Holy Order of Priesthood in October of this year by His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Following their ordinations, the new priests completed the traditional 40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation and prayer. On Sunday, November 21, the new priests celebrated their inaugural Divine Liturgies at different churches throughout Armenia.
The order of His Holiness assigns the priests as follows:
Rev. Fr. Norayr Simonian is appointed as a chaplain in the Armenian Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Chaplaincy program currently has 25 priests and deacons who provide spiritual care and leadership to the Armenian soldiers.
The Araratian Pontifical Diocese, the largest diocese in the world, will receive four new priests: Rev. Fr. Ghazar Petrossian is assigned to the town of Byureghavan, Rev. Fr. Babgen Hayrapetian in Noubarashen, Rev. Fr. Tovmas Andreasian to the village of Dalar, and Rev. Fr. Husik Nurijanian is assigned to the Monastery of Khor Virap.
The Dioceses of Shirak will receive two new priests: Rev. Fr. Yeznik Galsdian in Akhurian, and Rev. Fr. Pavstos Sargisian in Artik. Rev. Fr. Moushй Vahanian and Rev. Fr. Manuel Mkrtchian have been appointed to serve in the Diocese of Aragatsotn, in Chk'nagh and Ashtarak respectively. Within the Diocese of Gougark, Rev. Fr. Simeon Arakelian will serve in the city of Ijevan and Rev. Fr. Vrtanes Baghalian will be in the city of Vanadzor. Rev. Fr. Nerses Shahnazarian will serve in Chambarak, in the Diocese of Gegharkunik. Completing the dioceses within Armenia, Rev. Fr. Mashtots Babayan is assigned to the city of Abovian and Rev. Fr. Smbat Sargisian will serve in Arindj, both in the Diocese of Kotayk.
His Holiness has appointed three priests to bring their service to the Diocese of Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno Karabagh): Rev. Fr. Arakel Ghazarian, Rev. Fr. Gyut Ghahramanian and Rev. Fr. Matteos Dravants.
Finally, the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan will receive two new priests. Rev. Fr. Anania Babayan will serve in the city of Rostov and Rev. Fr. Aristakes Hovhanissian has been assigned to Moscow.
