By the ordinance and blessings of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the granting of the first four ranks of Vartabed (doctor in the dogma of the Armenian Church) of V. Rev. Fr. Ashod Khatchadourian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Mother Church of Fresno, was conducted by H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA, during the Divine Liturgy on the feast day of Sts. Ghevontians, at Holy Trinity Mother Church in Fresno. The ordination was assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian.

In his sermon, the celebrant Bishop addressed the significance of the feast, and congratulated His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, as well as the Cilician brotherhood and specially Father Ashod on behalf of the the Religious and Executive Councils. Bishop Torkom expressed hope that for the enlighten of the Armenian Church and the betterment of the Western Prelacy, Hayr Ashod will continue to bring his at most service to the Armenian faithful of Fresno.

In order to receive the rank of Vartabed, Very Rev. Fr. Ashod Khatchadourian had focused his doctoral dissertation on analysis of correspondence between Catholicos Zareh I and Archbishop Ardag Manougian.