Altar Servers Ordained in Fair Lawn

On Sunday, November 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained seminarians and a local altar server. He ordained recent St. Nersess Armenian Seminary graduate Saro Kalayjian to the diaconate, and seminarians Levon Asdourian and Eric Vozzy to the sub-diaconate. St. Leon parishioner Paul Chamesian also became a sub-deacon.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558

E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

December 16, 2014

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ALTAR SERVERS ORDAINED IN FAIR LAWN

On Sunday, November 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained seminarians and a local altar server.

He ordained recent St. Nersess Armenian Seminary graduate Saro Kalayjian to the diaconate, and seminarians Levon Asdourian and Eric Vozzy to the sub-diaconate. St. Leon parishioner Paul Chamesian also became a sub-deacon.

Following the service, Archbishop Barsamian led a procession to the parish house, known as Holy Trinity House, for a blessing. The house was recently renovated through the efforts of the entire parish.

The parish hosted a banquet in honor of the newly ordained altar servers. The program opened with a prayer and words of welcome from the Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian, a longtime pastor in the Eastern Diocese and the father of Dn. Saro Kalayjian. Parish council vice chair Zareh Beylerian served as master of ceremonies.

The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, spoke about the mission of the seminary in preparing young men and women to serve the Armenian Church of America. He went on to speak about the importance of hearing God's call and responding to it.

Dn. Saro Kalayjian, who has been interning at St. Leon Church following his graduation from the seminary, said it has been inspiring and rewarding to learn about parish life at first-hand in such a large and active community. In addition to serving on the altar and singing in the choir, he has been assisting in Sunday School, helping with ACYOA Seniors programming, attending parish meetings, and taking part in other facets of parish life.

"Saro has been an asset to our community, and I've enjoyed working with him," said the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Church.

Dn. Kalayjian expressed his gratitude to Fr. Bohajian for his guidance, and to all his mentors at St. Nersess Seminary and the senior deacons at various parishes who have helped him learn the worship service of the Armenian Church.  He also said he has been inspired by his family who planted the seeds of the Armenian Christian faith in him at a young age.

"My parents have been beacons of faith throughout my life, and I'm particularly thankful to have had them as role models for these many years," he said.

He went on to speak about the role of the deacon in the Armenian Church, describing the need for deacons to take on responsibilities beyond altar service, such as visiting the sick, spending time with the elderly, and helping preach to their congregations.

"As our parishes grow and as our parishes shrink, what can we expect from deacons moving forward in the coming years and decades?" he said. "We have to look forward and adopt a model of growth."

Archbishop Barsamian congratulated the newly ordained altar servers. "It is our prayer that these young men will be guided by the Holy Spirit in their service to the Armenian Church and the Armenian people," he said. "I commend their dedication, and I would like to express my gratitude to their families and communities for nourishing their faith and inspiring them to answer God's call."

Fr. Bohajian and the parish council of St. Leon Church presented the newly ordained altar servers with books. A cake-cutting ceremony concluded the celebration.

Other clergy taking part in Sunday's events included the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan and the Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian. Current St. Nersess seminarians also participated.

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Photos attached.

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains Saro Kalayjian to the diaconate.

Photo 2: Eric Vozzy, Levon Asdourian, and Paul Chamesian become sub-deacons.