Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), officiated at the ordination of the
Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tex., on August 25, in the
presence of community, family, and guests from around the country.
The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan was the sponsoring
priest. The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian, Rev. Fr. Nersess Jebejian, Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, and Rev. Fr.
Mikael Devejian assisted in the ordination in different roles, along with
several deacons and altar servers.
For the Armenian community in North Texas, this was a
momentous occasion. The Primate had
assigned Deacon Justin Ajamian as the deacon-in-charge of the St. Sarkis
Armenian Church two years ago, and since then, the ordination of Dn. Justin was
a constant expectation.
The event itself was a long process. For weeks beforehand, the whole community
worked together to prepare for the event by forming committees to handle
details like seating, videography, printing, food preparation, and musical
presentations. All deacons and choir
members were brought up to date with the specific hymns of the day. Donations were collected to cover the
expenses incurred, and everyone was informed of the festivities surrounding the
ordination weekend.
Prior to the ordination weekend the community received a
"training session" from Fr. Findikyan, who explained the process of
the ordination service, and emphasized the role the people would play in
it. He encouraged parishioners to
memorize the expression: "He is worthy (Arzhani eh)", as their
consent to the entry of the deacon into priesthood. Diocesan director of music ministry Maestro
Khoren Mekhanejian trained the choir, organist and deacons in the appropriate
hymns.
On the Saturday preceding the ordination, the community
had an outstanding reception to meet and greet all the dignitaries, following
the dramatic Service of Calling-the prelude to a priestly ordination.
On Sunday, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
during which the ordination took place.
Dn. Ajamian was led to the altar by his sponsoring priest Fr. Findikyan.
There, the candidate knelt facing the people, while Archbishop Barsamian asked
the faithful whether they found him worthy of becoming a priest. There was a thunderous agreement, as all
indicated their assent.
The highlight of the solemn ceremony was the first
pronouncement of the name of the new priest: Der Ghevond Ajamian. At the conclusion of the ordination, the
parishioners filed past their new priest, kissing his hands that were anointed
by the Holy Myron.
A sumptuous banquet followed the ordination, where the
new Der Ghevond received a hand cross from his godfathers, his uncles Ara and
Vartan Ajamian, and various gifts from the St. Sarkis ACYOA, parish council and
the Women's Guild. The banquet
participants included the youth of St. Sarkis, who danced, sang and expressed
their affection for Der Ghevond.
Fr. Ajamian took the podium to thank everyone for their
support. He pledged to serve Jesus
Christ and work with the community, especially the young; to follow the example
of Jesus; and to pursue the vision of a new church full of young people who
will follow in the footsteps of the Lord.
He stressed that the new church should be realized not for us, but for
the next generations after us.
To conclude a momentous event in the life of the parish,
Archbishop Barsamian reminded everyone that he had been present at every
important milestone in the existence of this community, from building the
church, to building the adjoining social hall, to the donation of the new
church property, and now to this ordination.
He said: "I feel the inspiration in this community,
and with such inspiration, what seems impossible becomes possible." He reflected that 98 years ago, when the
majority of Armenian clergy were killed in the Genocide, no one could have
predicted that in the United States, sometime in the future, there would be
Armenians born in America who would become priests of their ancestral church.
The Primate thanked the parents and grandparents who have
brought up young people as both Americans and Armenians. He asked everyone to focus on the positive,
and to be inspired by the Holy Spirit in order to continue doing miraculous
things.
Finally, he blessed the newly ordained Fr. Ghevond
Ajamian by asking God to keep him inspired, enthusiastic and successful in the
service of the Lord and the community.
--Mary Mukhtarian
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