10 June 2017. On Saturday, during the evening service, Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, prelate of Peria (Syria), began the first step in the ordination of two deacons. Rev Bedros Manuellian acted as witness on behalf the community. Deacons Hrair Daghlian and Movses Khatchadourian, moved to the Altar on their knees, anathematized the heretics, accepted to abide by the teachings of the Church Fathers, recited the Creed and read the Charter of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

On Sunday morning, during the Holy Liturgy, during the singing of psalms, Rev Bedros led the deacons to the Altar, whereby they renounced the worldly life and offered themselves to God and the Church. Archbishop Shahan anointed their foreheads and hands, and renamed Deacon Hrair as Hetoum and Deacon Movses as Ashod. In his sermon, the Archbishop told the new priests what Christ told his disciples, “Whomever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mathew 16:24). After the sermon, the members of the brotherhood kissed the hands and foreheads of the newly ordained and congratulated them to their community. At the end of the liturgy, the sponsors, Mr and Mrs Alex Kaloghlian, washed the hands of the newly ordained in the Baptismal basin and Monks Hetoum and Ashod received their hoods.

The ceremony concluded with His Holiness Aram I’s blessing, congratulations by the congregation and a reception.