Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On 25 December, a Divine Liturgy was offered in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, during which an ordination of deacons was held. The ordination was conducted under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. December 25th is celebrated in the church as the Feast of St. Stephan the Proto-deacon and First Martyr, and it is also the feast day for deacons serving in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Celebrant was His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of Christian Education Center of Mother See.

During Evening Service on the prior day, the service of ordination of the minor orders of sub-deacon, acolyte, and stole bearer was offered. 13 students from the 2nd level class of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were granted the rank of acolyte; 16 students of the 4th level class were granted the rank of stole bearer and 12 students of the 5th level class and 4 students of the Accelerated Priest Course were granted the rank of sub-deacon.

On the occasion of the feast and with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, 16 students from the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, and the Accelerated Priest Course, were ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Vardan.

Following the ordination, Bishop Vardan presented the wonder of the feast to the faithful, and the history of martyrdom of St. Stephen, noting that St. Stephen became the first Christian martyr through his faith and witness. “The Feast of St. Stephen the Protodeacon and First Martyr is an invitation for us by our ancestors, to renew our service covenant - service to the family, nation and people, and especially to God and Church”, stated Bishop Vardan.

Reflecting on the calling and service of a deacon, Bishop Vardan stated in part: “As Jesus, the source of our faith, says, if you believe in Him, live through the perfect consciousness of the union with Him, Jesus will speak in your life, and from your lips the word of the Lord will coincide and spread in the hearts and souls of the faithful. Through your service you will become a part of the mission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin”.

Bishop Vardan expressed his filial gratitude to His Holiness, for the auspicious occasion of granting new servants to the Armenian Church. He also noted that today the spiritual-educational institutions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with new faith, new accomplishments, and young men willing to do great things, will fill the ranks of the Brotherhood.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the clergyman and the faithful had the opportunity to kiss the relic of St. Stephen’s Right Hand, which was brought out from the museum of the Mother Cathedral for the occasion, and receive blessings radiating from it.

Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received the deacons of the Mother See along with the newly ordained deacons. They were accompanied by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of Christian Education Center of Mother See; and Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.

According to tradition, the diaconal class sang the hymn “Stephen, sweet bird”, following which His Holiness conveyed his blessings and best wishes to the deacons.
The Catholicos of All Armenians urged the deacons to remain steadfast in their beliefs and continue their useful church-dedicated service, constantly keeping St. Stephen’s image in front of their eyes.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his joy on the occasion of the ordination of the 16 deacons, expressing confidence that through their hard work and dedicated efforts, the newly ordained deacons will contribute to overcoming the challenges and problems facing the Church and nation, inspiring hope for the future of the Armenian Church.

His Holiness conveyed his appreciation and blessings to the Brotherhood deacons, urging them to continue their service to the Mother See with the same spirit and zeal.

The Armenian Pontiff wished the Heavenly Lord shed His abundant blessings to the deacons, in order to make their spiritual service effective with pious graces.

At the conclusion, His Holiness blessed the Diaconal class with the “Protector” Prayer, gifting everyone spiritual literature.

Today the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has 141 Deacons, with 39 studying in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.