Latest Ordination to the Priesthood
On April 9 and 10, Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, a 2019 graduate, was ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan and was renamed Fr. Guregh. The name was chosen because of the number of prominent individuals with that name associated with the Holy City of Jerusalem, including St. Cyril, the 4th century Bishop of Jerusalem. Der Guregh will now proudly carry that name and history.
Both the Service of Calling to the Priesthood and Ordination and Anointing took place at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church in Greenfield, WI, where Der Guregh has been serving as the Deacon-in-Charge since October. The Very Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazazian, pastor of the Armenian Church of Atlanta, served as the sponsoring priest, and Dr. Garo Garibian served as the Godfather of the ordination, accompanied by his wife Cecilia. A celebratory banquet followed at the Sheraton Brookfield.
A native of Yerevan, Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan served in a pastoral internship with the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian at St. Hagop Armenian Church of Pinellas Park, FL, before his assignment to Greenfield. He and his wife, Yn. Silva, have a toddler, Mikayel. Der Hayr is currently spending 40 days in seclusion and prayer at St. Nersess Seminary before returning to St. John. We pray that his priestly ministry will be fulfilling and successful.