Western Diocese

It is with spiritual joy that we convey to our Pastors, Parish Councils, Diocesan Delegates, and faithful that upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, our Primate visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and ordained 12 deacons to the Priesthood on Sunday April 15^th. The ordination was presided over by His Holiness with the attendance of many clergy and the faithful. The Following is list of those who were ordained to the Priesthood, there baptismal names, and their ordained names.

• Dn. Armen Khatchadouryan named Fr. Jirair Khatchadouryan
• Dn. Hovhaness Amiryan named Fr. Arakel Amiryan
• Dn. Kevork Haroutiunyan named Fr. Yeprem Haroutiunyan
• Dn. Garmik Giragosyan named Fr. Haroutiun Giragosyan
• Dn. Ardak Ohanyan named Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
• Dn Humiag Ameryan named Fr. Vicken Ameryan
• Dn. Antranik Minassyan named Fr. Soghomon Minassyan
• Dn. Haig Amiryan named Fr. Malakia Amiryan
• Dn. Garik Krikoryan named Fr. Sipan Krikoryan
• Dn. Vahe Boghosyan named Fr. Armash Boghosyan
• Dn. Ohan Mizounyan named Fr. Aram Mizounyan
• Dn. Kevork Zenalyan named Fr. Manoog Zenalyan

In his sermon Abp. Hovnan Derderian conveyed his message to the newly ordained saying “For many years you have nourished your souls, minds and hearts with the messages radiating from the Gospels and cultivated within yourself the true Christian, priest, and good shepherd.  From this day on you will continue your devoted lives for the spiritual enlightenment of the faithful thus becoming the new oil in the lantern of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in bringing joy, light, vision, and strength to the faithful children of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

The same evening two of the newly ordained priests, Fr. Haroutiun and Fr. Malakia, presented there vows of celibacy and have become members of the brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.