AT ST. STEPHEN’S, PRELATE ORDAINS DEACONS, STOLE BEARERS, AND ACOLYTES IN CEREMONY RICH WITH SYMBOLISM
On Sunday, May 4, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, ordained deacons, stole bearers, and acolytes during the Divine Liturgy at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Ordinations are meaningful services filled with symbolism, which grant great responsibility to dedicated servants of the church.
During the ordination of acolytes, the candidates knelt in front of Srpazan as he first cut their hair, as a symbol of their dedication to the service of the church. Progressively, they received the different ranks granted to acolytes: The book of Psalms—to chant in church; a broom—to clean God’s temple; a key—to open God’s house; a lectionary—to recite the readings; a candle—to light the temple, and a cup—to serve on the altar. The altar serving acolytes ordained were John Diran Gengozian, Zaven Bell, Patrick Parsegh Mulvey, Josephine Keumurian, Hrag Tokadjian, Alik Arakelian. The choir acolytes ordained were Karen Aykanian Demirjian, Yn. Cheryl Depoian Baljian, Nayiri Baljian Bell, Tamar Kanarian, Vanessa Ovian, Tahleen Ovian Shamlian, Steven Shamlian, Sona Aslanian, Sossy Aposhian Nercessian, Maida Khatchadoorian Bedoyian, Jilda Balian, Taline Sarian, Alina Nalbandian, Tamara Tokadjian, and Mariam Stepanyan.
During the ordination of stole bearers, the candidates, former acolytes, were granted the special permission to serve on the altar with additional responsibilities. We congratulate our newly ordained stole bearers: Arek Hamalian, Aram Stepanian, and Avedis Bell.
Finally, our church was blessed to ordain two servants to the diaconate. During the ceremony that occurs midway within the Liturgy, the candidates knelt in the chancel, as our pastor and their sponsor (khardavilag) Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, led them up the altar on their knees. He then presented the candidates to Archbishop Anoushavan, who examined their character, dedication, and aptitudes. Then, they turned to the congregation raising their arms for the soul stirring hymn “Asdvadzayin,” during which the clergy sing asking God to send his grace upon the candidates: “Divine and heavenly grace that always fulfills the needs of the sacred ministry of the apostolic church calls Hagop and David from acolytes to the diaconate, according to their testimony and the testimony of all the people.” Subsequently, they received the different ranks granted to deacons, with which they will continue to serve on the altar and alongside the clergy. We congratulate our newly ordained deacons: Hagop Ketchedjian and Tavit Toramanian.
