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Illinois parish turns out for new tbir

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  • Illinois parish turns out for new tbir

    PRESS OFFICE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
    Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurch.org

    September 22, 2004
    ___________________

    PRIMATE ORDAINS TBIR IN BELLEVILLE

    The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church in Belleville, IL, had
    something to celebrate when the Primate paid a visit this August.

    During his visit on Sunday, August 15, 2004, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
    ordained Mark Marifian as a tbir. Mark has been studying for his
    ordination for a while, under the guidance of the parish's visiting
    pastor, Fr. Abraham Ohanesian.

    "He is a fine new acolyte, and his devotion and faith are testaments to
    the love and community found in Belleville," the Primate said. "Many
    parishioners there have guided him, taught him, and supported him. Now
    he is serving his parish."

    During the visit, the Primate and Fr. Ohanesian also performed the
    "Blessing of the Grapes" ceremony as part of the Feast of the Assumption
    of the Holy Mother-of-God. The grapes are blessed at that time as the
    first fruits of the harvest.

    "Like a farmer who harvests grapes, we, as an Armenian Christian
    community, plant the seeds of the Lord's love and then watch our
    children grow into full members of our community," the Primate said.
    "Mark is one of those treasures we have raised into a dedicated steward
    of the Armenian Church."

    -- 9/22/04

    E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
    and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
    www.armenianchurch.org.

    PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
    of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordains Mark Marifian as a
    tbir among the parishioners of the Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church
    in Belleville, IL.

    PHOTO CAPTION (2): Mark Marifian reads a Bible passage during the
    ceremony in which he was ordained as tbir on August 15, 2004.

    PHOTO CAPTION (3): During his visit to eh Holy Virgin Mary and
    Shoghagat Church in Belleville, IL, on August 15, 2004, Archbishop
    Khajag Barsamian, Primate, performed the "Blessing of the Grapes"
    ceremony.
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