At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on February 25, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the celebration of the Feast of Sts. Ghevontiantz, with some 250 clergy from dioceses throughout Armenia participating.
In addition to a festive Divine Liturgy at the Mother Cathedral, and a subsequent gathering of fellowship and thanksgiving, the feast day was an occasion to acknowledge special milestones in the service of individual clergymen. Several dozen Armenian clergymen from around the world received distinctions and honors from His Holiness, among them several from the Eastern Diocese of America.
Four long serving priests of our Diocese were awarded the honored title of Senior Priest, or “Avak Kahana,” along with the honor of wearing the “dzaghga pilon” (floral cloak) and cross. They are Fr. Vasken Kouzouian (of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, MA), Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian (St. Peter Church, Watervliet, NY), Fr. Krikor Sabounjian (Holy Translators Church, Framingham, MA), and Fr. Arakel Aljalian (St. James Church, Watertown, MA).
Four other devoted priests of the Eastern Diocese were distinguished with the right to wear the floral pilon. They are Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (St. Mary Church, Washington, DC), Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian (St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Binghamton, NY), Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan (Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA), and Fr. Abraham Ohanesian (visiting priest at several mission parishes).
At the end of the award ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians bestowed his blessing on the clergy—both those attending the ceremonies at Holy Etchmaidzin, and those marking the occasion in their respective dioceses abroad. He emphasized how important it is for the brother clergy to gather in mutual support of each other.
“The feast of Sts. Ghevontiantz is a reminder of the exemplary model for all Armenian clergyman, directing them to renew the priestly mission of selfless service to the spiritual and community life of the people,” His Holiness said.
We congratulate our Diocesan clergymen who received these worthy distinctions from His Holiness, and convey good wishes to all Armenian clergy for Ghevontiantz Day.