Western Diocese Primate Ordains Three Deacons

Last Sunday, on July 28, three St. Nersess seminarians were ordained deacons at St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, in Burbank, CA.

Arin Parsanian, Zareh Mirzayan, and Karo Boyadzhyan – all students of the Western Diocese – were ordained into the diaconate by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice-President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors. The Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, and the cathedral’s deacons were also present. The Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan was the guest celebrant and homilist. 

After introducing them to the congregation, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian exhorted the newly-ordained deacons to “renew their commitment to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, zealously uphold the sacred and revered traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church and remain steadfast in their calling to serve the flock of Christ.”

“We will see you in a few weeks back at St. Nersess Seminary for the Fall semester and welcome you as our new Diratzoos!” shared Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean. “I pray that the Holy Spirit will further fortify and inspire you as deacons of the Armenian Church.”