Altar Servers Ordained In Watertown, Ma

Altar Servers Ordained In Watertown, Ma

On Sunday, March 2, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., where he ordained young altar servers. The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Primate presiding. Also taking part in the service were the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian and the Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian. Archbishop Barsamian gave a sermon on the significance of the fifth-century Battle of Avarayr, which the Armenian Church commemorated on Thursday, February 27.

PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710   

E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

March 12, 2014

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Altar Servers Ordained In Watertown, Ma

On Sunday, March 2, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., where he ordained young altar servers.

The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Primate presiding. Also taking part in the service were the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian and the Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian.

Archbishop Barsamian gave a sermon on the significance of the fifth-century Battle of Avarayr, which the Armenian Church commemorated on Thursday, February 27. He encouraged young people to draw lessons from the perseverance demonstrated by St. Vartan and his soldiers, who were outnumbered by the Persian enemy, but nonetheless stood firm in their resolve to protect their faith.

"The Battle of Avarayr changed the course of Armenian history. At a time when Christianity was under great threat in our homeland, St. Vartan and his brave soldiers came forward to defend their faith," Archbishop Barsamian said. "Today we are fortunate to live in a society where we are free from persecution, but even so our Christian identity is not invulnerable. It is something we must strengthen and safeguard each day, as we strive to follow in the example set for us by Christ."

During Sunday's services, Archbishop Barsamian ordained Nareg Kalaydjian, Jivan Purutyan, and Haig Yeterian to the rank of acolyte. Aaron Derderian, Ari Kazanjian, Raffi Kazanjian, William Musserian, James Najarian, and Simon Tacvorian were ordained acolytes and sub-deacons.

"I'm proud of our youth for their dedication and willingness to serve in the Armenian Church," Fr. Aljalian said. "These young men have been active in our parish for many years, and I look forward to them continuing their service at the altar and expanding their knowledge and experience."

The Primate also congratulated the newly ordained altar servers and their families. In addition, he expressed his appreciation to members of the ACYOA Juniors, who recently joined the St. James choir and sang the hymns of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.

Later that afternoon, the Sunday School and Armenian School jointly hosted a Poon Paregentan celebration, featuring a guest ventriloquist whose performance highlighted stories from the Gospels.  Parish children received this year's Diocesan Lenten Resource—an interactive activity wheel and guide produced by the Diocese's Christian Education staff.

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Photos attached

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Fr. Arakel Aljalian with altar servers at St. James Church.

Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains altar servers at St. James Church. Fr. Arakel Aljalian (left) and Fr. Arsen Barsamian look on.

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