St. Nersess Graduate Ordained A Priest
On February 21-22, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, performed his first priestly ordination in this diocese. On that date he ordained Dn. Serop Krajekian, a 2023 St. Nersess graduate, into the holy priesthood of the Armenian Church, bestowing him with the new name – Father Nerses.
The beautiful and uplifting ceremonies took place at St. Sahag Armenian Church of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, where Fr. Nerses Krajekian will serve as pastor, following the traditional 40 days of seclusion, which is currently taking place at St. Nersess Seminary.
Bishop Mesrop recounted the extraordinary spiritual experience he and Fr. Nerses shared. “The ordination was a powerful, unforgettable day,” he said. “My heart is still overflowing with joy and gratitude, because I had the honor of performing my first priestly ordination in our Diocese at St. Sahag Church in Minnesota. We were blessed to witness a divine mystery unfold right before our eyes, as Dn. Serop Krajekian was transformed into a new creation in the Lord: Father Nerses.”
Originally from Syria, Fr. Nerses previously served at St. Sarkis Church in Charlotte, NC. “Although I have served in the church since childhood, I never thought I would be a priest,” Fr. Nerses said. “But God’s plans are always surprising. Since my arrival in Charlotte in 2015, I served in St. Sarkis Church and was ordained deacon in 2019.”
When the parish entered a period of transition without a pastor in mid-2020, Dn. Serop led Sunday services, and delivered the homily, for three years. “I’m grateful to the parishioners and clergy who recognized my potential in serving the church, and encouraged me to enroll at St. Nerses Seminary,” he said.
On January 1 of this year, he began his service at St. Sahag Church, as its Deacon-in-Charge. The parishioners of St. Sahag Church organized a special service and reception on that occasion to welcome Dn. Serop, his wife Sevan, and their teenage children Aram and Meghry to the community.
“As I prepared for my ordination to the holy priesthood, I was grateful to Bishop Mesrop for his trust in me,” said the new priest. “Going forward, I pray that God will enable me to spare no effort in carrying forward the church’s mission, with reverence and holiness.”
During the ordination weekend, the “Service of Calling” was held at the church on Friday evening, February 21. The following morning, February 22, Bishop Mesrop celebrated the Divine Liturgy and led the Sacrament of Ordination and Anointment, during which the new priest was formally blessed and anointed. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, and seminarians Dn. Arman Shirikyan and Dn. Arin Parsanian were also in attendance.
Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, a seminary alumnus, served as the sponsoring priest, with Avo Toghramadjian serving as the ordination godfather. Both held an honored place during the sacred and celebratory events of the weekend.
An ordination banquet in the church’s Ararat Hall was an opportunity for the faithful of Minnesota, guests, and clergy from around the Diocese to congratulate Fr. Nerses and his family.
In his remarks, Bishop Mesrop offered words of praise for the community and its new pastor. “A new priest means a new chapter, a new outpouring of grace, a fresh wind of the Spirit,” he said. “Just as a baptism fills a family with joy, just as a wedding brings celebration, so too will the St. Sahag community, our Eastern Diocese, and the entire Armenian Church rejoice today, because God has raised up a new shepherd to lead His flock.”
He continued: “To Der Nerses I say: This is your divine assignment. God has chosen you, equipped you, and He will sustain you. Yes, there will be challenges; but there will also be miracles. There will be moments of doubt; but even greater moments of divine strength. Stay faithful, stay humble, and tend to God’s flock.”
The ordination services were broadcast live on the St. Sahag Church Facebook page, where the recording can be watched. Click to access a photo gallery on the ordination.
