Parishioners at Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y., welcomed Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, on Sunday, October 5, who traveled to the church to ordain young altar servers. Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor, assisting. Master pianist Sahan Arzruni rendered the sacred music on the organ during the Divine Liturgy. Two parishioners—Alexander Calikyan and Karnik Kiliciyan—were ordained to the diaconate. Five others—Ara Arsenian, Armen Arsenian, Nicholas Calikyan, Vahe Gemdzian, and Arthur Ipek—became sub-deacons.
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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
October 13, 2014
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Parishioners at Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y., welcomed Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, on Sunday, October 5, who traveled to the church to ordain young altar servers.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor, assisting.
Master pianist Sahan Arzruni rendered the sacred music on the organ during the Divine Liturgy.
Two parishioners—Alexander Calikyan and Karnik Kiliciyan—were ordained to the diaconate. Five others—Ara Arsenian, Armen Arsenian, Nicholas Calikyan, Vahe Gemdzian, and Arthur Ipek—became sub-deacons.
Archbishop Barsamian also ordained nine parishioners as acolytes: Brandon Ajamian, Christopher Cetin, Armen Demirjian, Vartan Esenyan, Andrew Halajian, Gregory C. Manuelian, Robert Naldjian, Stephen Sirounian, and Andrew Yenicag.
He blessed the veils of four choir members-Hilda Haroutunian, Tamar Kayserian, Hilda Sheshedian, and Meline Yaziciyan-and blessed the vestments of the parish’s new choir co-director, Ruthann Turekian Drewitz.
“Beginning our quest to serve the Lord together, I never thought we would all be rewarded with the honor and responsibility of serving the Armenian Church as sub-deacons,” said sub-deacon Armen Arsenian, reflecting on the training he and the other parishioners have undergone in preparation for their new vocation.
Fr. Malkhasyan has been meeting with the altar servers weekly over the past year to familiarize them with the services of the Armenian Church and to help them learn the appropriate parts of the badarak.
“I am very proud of all our altar servers and choir members,” he said. “They are all dedicated individuals who have worked hard to learn our ancient rites and to continue the rich legacy of the Armenian liturgical tradition here in America.”
He went on to emphasize the importance of parents encouraging their children to participate actively in the life of the church community. “These young people have accomplished so much, in part because of their parents’ commitment,” Fr. Malkhasyan. “They have instilled in their children our Armenian Christian values, and have served as strong role models for them.”
At the conclusion of services, two longtime deacons, Dn. Hagop Sason Demirjian and Dn. Hagop Yagliyan, received encyclicals from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in commendation of their service to the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Barsamian congratulated all the parishioners who were ordained and honored on Sunday. “Today, we have been blessed to witness these young men become servants of the Lord’s altar. Each has spent many months studying, practicing, and praying for this moment,” Archbishop Barsamian said. “It is my humble privilege to ordain them, and I pray that their young souls will continue to grow in service to the Holy Altar.”
A celebratory luncheon followed in the church’s Kalustyan Hall. Among those in attendance were a number of young people from sister parishes who gathered to congratulate their friends on their ordinations.
Deacons Kiliciyan and Calikyan expressed their gratitude to the entire community for supporting them in their journey to the diaconate. Dn. Kiliciyan recently moved to the Bayside area, and has been serving on the altar for the past two years. Dn. Calikyan has spent the last few summers interning at the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, and has taken part in the Deacons Training program at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
“In the weeks leading up to my ordination, I realized that being a deacon is not just about holding a prestigious position within the Armenian Church. It also involves representation outside of the Armenian community,” Dn. Calikyan said.
The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, spoke about the significance of ordination. “Being ordained is not gift, but rather a responsibility to serve God, the church, and our people,” he said.
Jennifer Morris, director of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, was a special guest at the luncheon and spoke about the impact of the Diocese’s youth programs. From summer camps to ACYOA retreats, she said that such programs help nourish the spiritual growth of young people across the Diocese.
To conclude the program, the newly ordained altar servers presented Fr. Malkhasyan with a hand cross in appreciation of his guidance.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Karnik Kiliciyan (left) and Alexander Calikyan were ordained to the diaconate.
Photo 2: The ordination of acolytes at Holy Martyrs Church.
Photo 3: Dn. Hagop Yagliyan receives an encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II.
Photo 4: Dn. Hagop Sason Demirjian receives an encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II.
Photo 5: Altar servers and choir members pose for a group photo with clergy.
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