Two New Priests Ordained on the Feast of Vartanants in the Mother See
19.02.2004
On February 19, 2004, the Armenian Church commemorated the Feast of Saint Vartan the Commander and His Companions. A solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presiding. During the Liturgy, two deacons were ordained into the Holy Order of Priesthood by the celebrant, His Grace Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.
Before a large crowd of faithful witnesses, His Grace placed his right hand on the two young candidates, and consecrated their foreheads and right and left hands with Holy Chrism (Muron), calling them by their new names. Deacon Armen Devejian was named Father Ktrij and Deacon Vartan Movsissian was named Father Shahan.
"On this memorable day of the Feast of Sts. Vartanants, Armenian Churches throughout the world commemorate the spiritual and moral victory of Saint Vartan and his 1,036 martyred companions in the historic battle of Avarayr. Today this feast is even more cherished and sacred for us, and as we strengthen our dedication to Christianity, the spirit and memory of St. Vartan inspires us. Today is the day to remember and understand the great mystery of that event. We can feel St. Vartan inside each of our souls. We have become the bearers of the invincible spirit of St. Vartan and his companions, and we are ready to face the many challenges of today," stated His Grace during his sermon.
Immediately following the ordination, His Holiness Karekin II, bishops and all members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin ascended the bema, and congratulated the newly ordained by kissing their anointed foreheads and hands.
The worldwide Armenian Church also celebrates the "naming day" of His Holiness Karekin II on this feast day. During the Divine Liturgy, the faithful joined with the class of clergy in offering a special Pontifical Blessing service, wishing His Holiness a long, productive reign and a healthy and fruitful life.
In the evening, a special service of the Granting of the Cowl (Veghar) was officiated by His Grace Bishop Vasken, bestowing the hood of celibate priesthood on Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian. Fr. Dajad, a senior archimandrite (Dzayraguyn Vardapet) and member of the Mekhitarist Congregation, took his oath to the Mother See of the Armenian Church, and became a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Rev. Fr. Krtij Devejian and Rev. Fr. Shahan Movsissian will continue their service to the Armenian Church in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, following their forty days of seclusion. Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian will serve in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, under the direction of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
