On Sunday, June 20th 2021, during the Divine Liturgy, five graduating seminarians were ordained and consecrated into the Priesthood, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, performed by His Grace Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, Prelate of the UAE and Qatar, and sponsored by V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Theological Seminary.
The ceremony commenced with the five candidates – deacons Jean Selloumian, Garabed Eordekian, Kevork Tenekejian, Henry Malkashian and Apraham Degirmenjian – walking up the altar on their knees led by the sponsoring priest. Through biblical readings and prayers, they were invited to follow in Jesus’s steps and were ordained. Thereafter, the sponsoring priest carried the vessel in the shape of a dove containing the holy myron in a procession to the altar, where the celebrant bishop anointed the forehead and both hands of the newly ordained priests, thus consecrating them.
During this ceremony, the newly ordained were remained: Fr. Ezekiel, Fr. Isaiah, Fr. Ezra, Fr. Elijah and Fr. Jeremiah respectively.
Bishop Mesrob then delivered his sermon. He started by thanking God and His Holiness for the opportunity to officiate the ceremony. He then stated that the mission of the church is further strengthened by the entrance of the newly ordained into the priesthood. On this occasion, His Grace also congratulated the 25th anniversary of His Holiness Aram I’s ordination and consecration as Catholicos and encouraged the newly ordained to learn from His Holiness’ example, commitment and service to the church. He also exhorted them to abide by the example of the prophets whose name they now carry.
Following the sermon, His Holiness and the Cilician brothers ascended to the altar to congratulate the priests and kissed their newly anointed forehead and hands. Subsequently, the godfather of the ordained Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian washed their forehead and hands in the baptismal basin. The ceremony was concluded with the blessing of the veghar (monastic hood).
At the end of the ceremony, the priests received the blessing of His Holiness and accepted the congratulations of the congregation.
According to the Armenian Church’s ancient tradition, the priests will devote the following 40 days in seclusion preparing for their priesthood and first Divine Liturgy through lent and prayer.
