Dn. Benjamin Rith-Najarian Ordained a Priest

On December 7, His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordained and anointed Dn. Benjamin Rith-Najarian into the holy priesthood, renaming him Fr. Samuel. The ordination took place at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Charlotte, NC, in the presence of the community, family, and guests from around the country.

The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, professor of Liturgical Studies at St. Nersess, served as the sponsoring priest, and St. Nersess graduate Dn. Yervant Kutchukian as the godfather at the ordination. Also participating in the ordination service were Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the seminarians.

Fr. Samuel is spending his 40-day period of seclusion at St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY, after which he will return to take up pastoral duties in Charlotte, where he has resided with his wife Yn. Danielle DerAsadourian since August 2013. Fr. Samuel is a 2010 graduate of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Click here to read more about the ordination, written by Fr. Daniel.