EASTERN PRELACY’S DEACONS’ CONFERENCE

The Eastern Prelacy held a virtual conference for deacons via video call on Saturday, December 19. The meeting was initially planned for June but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Following a matins service, during which two hymns dedicated to Protodeacon St. Stephen were sung, a special prayer was said for the newly deceased Archdeacon Zaven Kasagyan. Then His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan welcomed the 42 deacons and subdeacons who participated in the conference representing 17 communities. The Prelate praised the role of the deacons, especially for their selfless dedication during the recent pandemic, assisting the Pastors as they celebrated Divine Liturgy uninterruptedly, which was broadcast to the faithful for their spiritual nourishment.

The conference was facilitated by Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of Christian Education of the Eastern Prelacy. The speakers of the conference were Reverend Fathers Kapriel Nazarian, Hrant Kevorkian, Stephan Baljian, Torkom Chorbajian, Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, and Very Reverend Father Sahag Yemishian, who succinctly presented the role of deacons in the New Testament and the first centuries of the Christian era as well as in the history of the Armenian Church. They also discussed elementary notions about the seven prayer services, the Divine Liturgy and Soorp Badarak related topics.

An informative Q&A session followed each presentation. Attendees expressed their wish to plan similar conferences in the future. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer sung by Deacon Ari Nalbandian.