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Lraper Church Bulletin 07/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
FOUR NEW PRIESTS ORDAINED IN JOYOUS ATMOSPHERE
Photos at www.lraper.org (English page)
On the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith),
Thursday 28 July 2005, following Matins, the bells of the Armenian
Church of the Holy Mother of God in Besiktas rang in festive joy, as
a procession headed by the Cross led His Beatitude Mesrob II,
Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey through the crowd of
believers who packed the nave and the two galleries of the church in
the stifling, humid heat. Assisting Patriarch Mesrob were the Revd.
Fathers Tatul Anusyan, Goryun Fenerciyan, Deacons Vahe Islemeciyan,
Setrak Davuthan, Roy Kucukates and a group of young acolytes. The
polyphonic setting of the liturgical hymns by Gomidas was sung by a
male choir of thirty singers directed by the Revd. Dr. Krikor
Damatyan. His Grace Archbishop Shahan Sivaciyan, Patriarchal Vicar,
and the Revd. Fr. John Whooley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Westminster, England, together with the members of all the Armenian
parishes in Istanbul assisted in the chancel.
LAYING ON OF HANDS
Patriarch Mesrob celebrated the Divine Liturgy until the end of the
Great Litany of the Synaxis, interrupting the service just before the
readings in order to perform the first part of the Holy Mystery of
Ordination which consists of the Laying on of Hands.
The Reverend Deacons Sahag Bicakciyan, Sevan Civanyan, Harutyun
Babigyan and Hayg Koparyan who were kneeling at the threshold of the
chancel were then led by their sponsors the Very Revd. Hieromonk
Tatul Anusyan and the Revd. Dr. Krikor Damatyan via the southern
stairs, up on to the bema. When the ordinands reached the southern
side of the bema, their sponsors asked the Patriarch to ordain the
deacons to the Holy Order of Priesthood.
The Patriarch then asked publicly whether the ordinands were worthy,
civilized, wise and saintly. The sponsoring clergymen replied, "as
much as our human weakness allows us to know, we know and guarantee
that they are wise and saintly enough to take upon themselves the
holy order of priesthood."
The ordinands, still on their knees, were then led by their sponsors
towards the Patriarch in front of whom they formed a hemicircle. The
ordinands then publicly read their priestly oath - making their
evangelical vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and promising to
remain within the jurisdiction of the Patriarchal See of Istanbul, in
obedience to the holy canons of the Armenian Church and the Patriarch
of Istanbul and his successors, with the help of God.
The ordinands were then led to the centre of the bema. Facing West,
towards the faithful, they raised their hands to the sides of their
heads, renouncing the world, in submission to the Triune God whose
service they wished to enter. The Patriarch and the clergymen on the
bema supported them, chanting the following declaration three times:
"The divine and heavenly grace that always provides for the needs of
the holy orders of the Apostolic Church calls Deacons Sahag, Sevan,
Harutyun and Hayg from the diaconate to the priesthood in order to
serve the Holy Church, by their own testimony and that of all the
people." Each time, the congregation replied, chanting: "They are
worthy!"
The ordinands then turned East, towards the altar, as the Patriarch
laid his crossed hands on their heads and said: "I lay my hands on
this man; all of you pray with me that he may be worthy of
preserving the order of priesthood immaculate before the altar of the
Lord God." Following the prayer of ordination, the Patriarch took
the diaconal stoles hung on the left shoulders of the ordinands,
kissed them, and then placed them around the necks of the ordinands,
in the manner of priestly stoles, symbolizing righteousness, with
which the Christian must gird himself to resist sin.
CONSECRATION
Following the readings, the recitation of the Nicene Creed, the Great
Entrance and the setting forth of the Gifts, the Divine Liturgy was
again interrupted just before the Kiss of Peace in order to perform
the second part of the Holy Mystery of Ordination, namely the
consecration with Holy Myron (chrism) and the naming of the new
priests.
Kneeling before the Patriarch, the new priests then received from him
first the priestly phelonion, a black cope worn by all priests during
church services, and then the liturgical vestments worn by Armenian
priests when they officiate at the Divine Liturgy or other holy
mysteries - the priestly mitre, the girdle and the cope.
The new priests were then taken to the vestry where they were
properly vested. The bells of the church rang in spiritual joy, the
choir sang the Hymn of Entrance, and the faithful stood in reverence
as the fully vested priests were led by the deacons into the
sanctuary from the right side of the altar.
The dove-shaped silver vessel containing the Blessed Myron or chrism
was brought into the sanctuary from the baptismal chapel by the Revd.
Fr. Yegya Kervanciyan as the hymn of Holy Pentecost, "Gentanarar
Asdvadz" was sung in unison.
As another hymn of Holy Pentecost, "Arakelo Aghavno" was sung, the
Patriarch poured the Holy Myron into a silver bowl and then a wave of
spiritual joy swept through the church as every believer present in
the church began to sing, "Amen, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! ... by
the sign of the Holy Cross, the Holy Gospel, the Myron which emanates
holiness and the grace of this day, along with the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
ages, Amen!" While everyone sang, the Patriarch consecrated the
foreheads and the hands of the new priests, renaming Deacon Sahag
"Der Zaven", Deacon Sevan "Der Zohrab", Deacon Harutyun "Der Zadig"
and Deacon Hayg "Der Zakar".
The Patriarch then authorized the new priests to celebrate the Divine
Liturgy as he took the chalice with the holy gifts and placed them on
the consecrated hands of the new priests.
Next, the Patriarch authorized the new priests to give their priestly
blessings to the people of God as he took the thurible and, while
incensing, thrice instructed each priest to give his blessing. In
order of seniority, each new priest came forward. Turning East
towards the altar he said, "Blessing and glory to the Father and to
the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
ages. Amen." And then turning West towards the faithful he said,
"Peace to all."
Once all four new priests had given their priestly blessings thrice,
the Patriarch concluded the Holy Mystery of Ordination to the Sacred
Order of Priesthood, blessing them with these words: "The blessing of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit descend upon you who
have fully become priests in order to offer the Body and Blood of
Christ for the peace of the world and the remission of sins. Amen."
THE HOMILY
In his homily, Patriarch Mesrob first explained the new names of the
priests who had just been ordained, explaining that Zaven meant
"helper," Zohrab "radiant in red," Zadig "sacrifice," and finally
Zakar/ya "memory of God." These words, the Patriarch said, help us
understand some of the most important duties of a priest.
In some versions of the Bible, the word paraclete is translated as
"helper", referring to the Holy Spirit who "teaches all things and
brings to rememberance all things that Christ said to us (Jn14:26)"
and who "testifies about Christ" (Jn.15:26). Reminding the faithful,
and especially the younger generation, of the teachings of Christ,
reminding them of Christ as a person and witnessing to him as Lord
and Saviour are tasks that every priest will daily undertake.
This is a supreme spiritual warfare against evil, and this is exactly
what the reddish radiance implies: "Therefore, take up the full
armour of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the Gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the
shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer
and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,
be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the
saints... (Eph 6:13-18)". This struggle against evil is martyria, a
wholesome witnessing that Jesus is the Son sent for us and for our
salvation by God, whom we must love with all our hearts, all our
souls, all our minds, and all our strength (Mk.12:30).
The Church is the spiritual body of Christ on earth (1Cor 12:12-27),
and the heart of Christ that pumps blood to all the members of that
body is the Surp Badarak, the Divine Liturgy, through which we
proclaim that Christ sacrificed himself for us on the Cross. It is
also a proclamation that we, as Christians, are all expecting his
Second Coming (1Co.11:23-26). The Church authorizes only those who
have been ordained priests to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Just as God remembers his covenant with his people (Gen.9:15), so
must men remember that they are bound to God, the Creator of heaven
and earth, by covenant. Our faith as a whole is based on the
remembrance of the marvellous works of God in the past and the
martyrdom of the great witnesses who have fought the good fight. The
priest, aware of the needs of his people, beseeches the Lord on
behalf of his people and, vice versa, he represents God before his
people, reminding them of the covenant they have with him.
The Patriarch reminded those present that Armenian Church Fathers and
leaders have displayed a great sense of priesthood, and when
necessary martyrdom, often involving sacrifice of their lives, in
order to live out their faith as witnesses proclaiming the Lordship
of Christ, our Saviour. Nothing has been able to deter the Armenians
as a nation from this faith since the third century when the Armenian
Kingdom was the first state in history that embraced the Christian
faith as the official religion of the people. This tradition, the
Patriarch concluded, lays a great responsibility on the shoulders of
each person of faith, especially the clergy, in order to pass this
faith on to the generations to come.
Finally, Patriarch Mesrob congratulated the newly ordained priests
and their families and relatives on the happy occasion of their
ordination.
THE KISS OF PEACE
Immediately after the Patriarch's homily, the Divine Liturgy
continued with the Kiss of Peace, as all the bishops, priests,
deacons, readers and acolytes present in the church, led by the
Patriarch himself, went up to the bema, kissed the Holy Gifts on the
altar and then kissed the anointed foreheads and the hands of the new
priests, congratulating them for their ordination to the Sacred Order
of the Priesthood.
The new priests then flanked the Patriarch before the altar and
attended him as he went through the rest of the Divine Liturgy.
BLESSING OF THE MONASTIC HOOD
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the newly ordained Fr. Zadig
Babigyan, who had decided to enter the rank of hieromonks, knelt
before the Patriarch, who blessed a monastic hood and placed it on
his head, praying that the Lord would give him the strength to live a
celibate life in his service.
CONGRATULATIONS
As the Patriarch left the church with the procession, the faithful
who had witnessed the ordination of the four new priests lined up in
order to approach them in the chancel and to kiss their anointed
hands as they read the Gospel placed on the lecterns.
FESTIVE LUNCHEON
The Parish Council and the Ladies' Guild of the Besiktas community
then held a festive luncheon in the Balyan Hall of the church in
honour of the newly ordained priests, attended by the Patriarch,
Archbishop Sahan, the clergy, the choir members and the family and
friends of the new priests. Garbis Balmumcuyan and Baruyr Kebabciyan,
representing the Besiktas Parish Council and the alumni of the Holy
Cross Lycee (the former seminary) respectively, made speeches
congratulating the newly ordained priests. The gathering ended with
the closing remarks by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan who spoke of his
own experiences in the service of the Lord as a priest.
FORTY DAYS OF SECLUSION
According to Armenian tradition, after the luncheon the newly
ordained priests returned to the Patriarchate where they were
assigned rooms for seclusion. Following ordination, resembling the
forty days of Christ in the desert, Armenian priests must experience
fourty days of seclusion, fasting,
prayer and meditation before they are allowed to celebrate their
first Divine Liturgy. It is up to the discernment of the ruling
bishop to decide whether to shorten or to lengthen the period of
seclusion in order to render this period of spiritual awareness more
fruitful. Traditionally, during this period the new priests have
only one vegan meal per day at sundown and read through the seven
daily services in the Book of Hours. Each daily meal is provided by a
different community member. Following his first Divine Liturgy, the
new priest prays for the repose of the souls of the relatives of
those who have provided him meals during the period of seclusion.
REVD. FR. ZADIG BABIGYAN (Hieromonk)
Born in Istanbul in 1951, his baptismal name was Harutyun. He
graduated from the Esayan Primary School and Getronagan High School.
Between 1970 and 1976 he worked in the printing house of the Turkish
Armenian Teachers' Foundation as a typist. Between 1976 and 1978 he
served in the Turkish Armed Forces. In 1980 he established his own
printing house which he directed successfully for twenty years.
Between 2000 and 2004 he was an undergraduate student at the
Department of Theology in Yerevan State University, Armenia. Having
graduated, he was ordained a reader by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan.
Later in the same year he was ordained a subdeacon by Bishop Aram
Atesyan, just before he began his one-year course of studies at the
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. On 3
July 2005, on the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration, he was ordained
a Deacon by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. On 28 July 2005, on the Feast
of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith), he was ordained a
celibate priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II, in the Holy
Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZAVEN BICAKCIYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Kayseri (Caesarea of Cappadocia) in 1951, his baptismal name
was Sahag. He attended a local primary school. His family migrated
to Istanbul where, in 1969, he graduated from the Holy Cross Lycee in
Uskudar (former Patriarchal Theological Seminary). He is a graduate
of the Department of Psychology of the University of Istanbul. Apart
from his B.Sc. degree, he obtained diplomas in Social Philosophy,
Social Psychology and Education. Having successfully completed the
Capa State Hospital courses in Clinical Psychology, he obtained the
Diploma of Proficiency in Psychology. He served in the Turkish Armed
Forces as an officer in Tuzla and Kirklareli between 1975 and 1977.
Returning to Istanbul, he married Hayganus Nazig Migiryan and had
three sons - Avedis, Arman and Herman. He was ordained a reader in
1964 by Patriarch Shnorhk of blessed memory. As of 1980, he was a
regular student attending the Bible and Liturgy courses organized by
the Patriarchal See. He was ordained a subdeacon by Archbishop
Mesrob Mutafyan in 1997, after which he was authorized by Patriarch
Karekin II of blessed memory to provide ministry to the Turkish
speaking Armenian faithful as a lay preacher. He was ordained a
deacon by Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan in 2004. On 28 July 2005, on
the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith), he was
ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II, in
the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZOHRAB CIVANYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Gedikpasa, Istanbul in 1960, his baptismal name was Sevan.
He attended the Mesrobyan Elementary School in Gedikpasa. He
graduated from the Getronagan High School in Galata. In 1982 he
graduated from the Department of Architectural Engineering in
Istanbul Technical University. In 1984 he received his M.Sc. degree
from the same university. He served in the Turkish Armed Forces as
an officer in Izmir and Kars. Returning to Istanbul, he worked as an
engineer and in 1998 he married Tanya Papciyan. Since his childhood,
he continuously served as an acolyte in the Armenian Church of Saint
John the Evangelist in Gedikpasa. He participated in the lessons and
activities organized by the Zvartnots and Sayat Nova Choral
Associations. He attended the weekly revival sermons in Gedikpasa
preached by Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan (before his election as
Patriarch) and later by the Very Revd. Hieromonk Sahag Masalyan. In
1974 he was ordained a reader by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. In 1982
he was authorized to wear a stole by Patriarch Shnorhk of blessed
memory. In 2004 he was ordained a subdeacon by Bishop Aram Atesyan
and in 2005 he was ordained a deacon by Patriarch Mesrob II. In June
2005 he successfully completed his one-year course of studies at the
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. On 28
July 2005, on the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and
Judith), he was ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch
Mesrob II, in the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZAKAR KOPARYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Istanbul in 1972, his baptismal name was Hayg. He graduated
from the Nersesyan-Yermonyan Primary School in Uskudar. In 1990 he
graduated from the Holy Cross Lycee in Uskudar (former Patriarchal
Theological Seminary). He attended a professional course and
obtained a diploma in accountancy. He then worked as an accountant.
He served in the Turkish Armed Forces between 1996 and 1998. He
married Lusyen Balik in 1999 and in 2002 had a daughter, Mane. As of
the year 1998, he attended the Bible Study courses organized by the
Patriarchal See. Between 1999 and 2004, he was an undergraduate
student at the Department of Theology in Yerevan State University,
Armenia. Having graduated, he was ordained a reader by Archbishop
Sahan Sivaciyan. Later in the same year, he was ordained a subdeacon
by Bishop Aram Atesyan, just before he began his one-year course of
studies at the Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia. On 3 July 2005, on the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration,
he was ordained a Deacon by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. On 28 July
2005, on the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith),
he was ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob
II, in the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
--Boundary_(ID_fo+Ue0YddCeuMif9NvoKdg)--
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
FOUR NEW PRIESTS ORDAINED IN JOYOUS ATMOSPHERE
Photos at www.lraper.org (English page)
On the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith),
Thursday 28 July 2005, following Matins, the bells of the Armenian
Church of the Holy Mother of God in Besiktas rang in festive joy, as
a procession headed by the Cross led His Beatitude Mesrob II,
Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey through the crowd of
believers who packed the nave and the two galleries of the church in
the stifling, humid heat. Assisting Patriarch Mesrob were the Revd.
Fathers Tatul Anusyan, Goryun Fenerciyan, Deacons Vahe Islemeciyan,
Setrak Davuthan, Roy Kucukates and a group of young acolytes. The
polyphonic setting of the liturgical hymns by Gomidas was sung by a
male choir of thirty singers directed by the Revd. Dr. Krikor
Damatyan. His Grace Archbishop Shahan Sivaciyan, Patriarchal Vicar,
and the Revd. Fr. John Whooley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Westminster, England, together with the members of all the Armenian
parishes in Istanbul assisted in the chancel.
LAYING ON OF HANDS
Patriarch Mesrob celebrated the Divine Liturgy until the end of the
Great Litany of the Synaxis, interrupting the service just before the
readings in order to perform the first part of the Holy Mystery of
Ordination which consists of the Laying on of Hands.
The Reverend Deacons Sahag Bicakciyan, Sevan Civanyan, Harutyun
Babigyan and Hayg Koparyan who were kneeling at the threshold of the
chancel were then led by their sponsors the Very Revd. Hieromonk
Tatul Anusyan and the Revd. Dr. Krikor Damatyan via the southern
stairs, up on to the bema. When the ordinands reached the southern
side of the bema, their sponsors asked the Patriarch to ordain the
deacons to the Holy Order of Priesthood.
The Patriarch then asked publicly whether the ordinands were worthy,
civilized, wise and saintly. The sponsoring clergymen replied, "as
much as our human weakness allows us to know, we know and guarantee
that they are wise and saintly enough to take upon themselves the
holy order of priesthood."
The ordinands, still on their knees, were then led by their sponsors
towards the Patriarch in front of whom they formed a hemicircle. The
ordinands then publicly read their priestly oath - making their
evangelical vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and promising to
remain within the jurisdiction of the Patriarchal See of Istanbul, in
obedience to the holy canons of the Armenian Church and the Patriarch
of Istanbul and his successors, with the help of God.
The ordinands were then led to the centre of the bema. Facing West,
towards the faithful, they raised their hands to the sides of their
heads, renouncing the world, in submission to the Triune God whose
service they wished to enter. The Patriarch and the clergymen on the
bema supported them, chanting the following declaration three times:
"The divine and heavenly grace that always provides for the needs of
the holy orders of the Apostolic Church calls Deacons Sahag, Sevan,
Harutyun and Hayg from the diaconate to the priesthood in order to
serve the Holy Church, by their own testimony and that of all the
people." Each time, the congregation replied, chanting: "They are
worthy!"
The ordinands then turned East, towards the altar, as the Patriarch
laid his crossed hands on their heads and said: "I lay my hands on
this man; all of you pray with me that he may be worthy of
preserving the order of priesthood immaculate before the altar of the
Lord God." Following the prayer of ordination, the Patriarch took
the diaconal stoles hung on the left shoulders of the ordinands,
kissed them, and then placed them around the necks of the ordinands,
in the manner of priestly stoles, symbolizing righteousness, with
which the Christian must gird himself to resist sin.
CONSECRATION
Following the readings, the recitation of the Nicene Creed, the Great
Entrance and the setting forth of the Gifts, the Divine Liturgy was
again interrupted just before the Kiss of Peace in order to perform
the second part of the Holy Mystery of Ordination, namely the
consecration with Holy Myron (chrism) and the naming of the new
priests.
Kneeling before the Patriarch, the new priests then received from him
first the priestly phelonion, a black cope worn by all priests during
church services, and then the liturgical vestments worn by Armenian
priests when they officiate at the Divine Liturgy or other holy
mysteries - the priestly mitre, the girdle and the cope.
The new priests were then taken to the vestry where they were
properly vested. The bells of the church rang in spiritual joy, the
choir sang the Hymn of Entrance, and the faithful stood in reverence
as the fully vested priests were led by the deacons into the
sanctuary from the right side of the altar.
The dove-shaped silver vessel containing the Blessed Myron or chrism
was brought into the sanctuary from the baptismal chapel by the Revd.
Fr. Yegya Kervanciyan as the hymn of Holy Pentecost, "Gentanarar
Asdvadz" was sung in unison.
As another hymn of Holy Pentecost, "Arakelo Aghavno" was sung, the
Patriarch poured the Holy Myron into a silver bowl and then a wave of
spiritual joy swept through the church as every believer present in
the church began to sing, "Amen, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! ... by
the sign of the Holy Cross, the Holy Gospel, the Myron which emanates
holiness and the grace of this day, along with the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
ages, Amen!" While everyone sang, the Patriarch consecrated the
foreheads and the hands of the new priests, renaming Deacon Sahag
"Der Zaven", Deacon Sevan "Der Zohrab", Deacon Harutyun "Der Zadig"
and Deacon Hayg "Der Zakar".
The Patriarch then authorized the new priests to celebrate the Divine
Liturgy as he took the chalice with the holy gifts and placed them on
the consecrated hands of the new priests.
Next, the Patriarch authorized the new priests to give their priestly
blessings to the people of God as he took the thurible and, while
incensing, thrice instructed each priest to give his blessing. In
order of seniority, each new priest came forward. Turning East
towards the altar he said, "Blessing and glory to the Father and to
the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
ages. Amen." And then turning West towards the faithful he said,
"Peace to all."
Once all four new priests had given their priestly blessings thrice,
the Patriarch concluded the Holy Mystery of Ordination to the Sacred
Order of Priesthood, blessing them with these words: "The blessing of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit descend upon you who
have fully become priests in order to offer the Body and Blood of
Christ for the peace of the world and the remission of sins. Amen."
THE HOMILY
In his homily, Patriarch Mesrob first explained the new names of the
priests who had just been ordained, explaining that Zaven meant
"helper," Zohrab "radiant in red," Zadig "sacrifice," and finally
Zakar/ya "memory of God." These words, the Patriarch said, help us
understand some of the most important duties of a priest.
In some versions of the Bible, the word paraclete is translated as
"helper", referring to the Holy Spirit who "teaches all things and
brings to rememberance all things that Christ said to us (Jn14:26)"
and who "testifies about Christ" (Jn.15:26). Reminding the faithful,
and especially the younger generation, of the teachings of Christ,
reminding them of Christ as a person and witnessing to him as Lord
and Saviour are tasks that every priest will daily undertake.
This is a supreme spiritual warfare against evil, and this is exactly
what the reddish radiance implies: "Therefore, take up the full
armour of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the Gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the
shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer
and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,
be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the
saints... (Eph 6:13-18)". This struggle against evil is martyria, a
wholesome witnessing that Jesus is the Son sent for us and for our
salvation by God, whom we must love with all our hearts, all our
souls, all our minds, and all our strength (Mk.12:30).
The Church is the spiritual body of Christ on earth (1Cor 12:12-27),
and the heart of Christ that pumps blood to all the members of that
body is the Surp Badarak, the Divine Liturgy, through which we
proclaim that Christ sacrificed himself for us on the Cross. It is
also a proclamation that we, as Christians, are all expecting his
Second Coming (1Co.11:23-26). The Church authorizes only those who
have been ordained priests to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Just as God remembers his covenant with his people (Gen.9:15), so
must men remember that they are bound to God, the Creator of heaven
and earth, by covenant. Our faith as a whole is based on the
remembrance of the marvellous works of God in the past and the
martyrdom of the great witnesses who have fought the good fight. The
priest, aware of the needs of his people, beseeches the Lord on
behalf of his people and, vice versa, he represents God before his
people, reminding them of the covenant they have with him.
The Patriarch reminded those present that Armenian Church Fathers and
leaders have displayed a great sense of priesthood, and when
necessary martyrdom, often involving sacrifice of their lives, in
order to live out their faith as witnesses proclaiming the Lordship
of Christ, our Saviour. Nothing has been able to deter the Armenians
as a nation from this faith since the third century when the Armenian
Kingdom was the first state in history that embraced the Christian
faith as the official religion of the people. This tradition, the
Patriarch concluded, lays a great responsibility on the shoulders of
each person of faith, especially the clergy, in order to pass this
faith on to the generations to come.
Finally, Patriarch Mesrob congratulated the newly ordained priests
and their families and relatives on the happy occasion of their
ordination.
THE KISS OF PEACE
Immediately after the Patriarch's homily, the Divine Liturgy
continued with the Kiss of Peace, as all the bishops, priests,
deacons, readers and acolytes present in the church, led by the
Patriarch himself, went up to the bema, kissed the Holy Gifts on the
altar and then kissed the anointed foreheads and the hands of the new
priests, congratulating them for their ordination to the Sacred Order
of the Priesthood.
The new priests then flanked the Patriarch before the altar and
attended him as he went through the rest of the Divine Liturgy.
BLESSING OF THE MONASTIC HOOD
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the newly ordained Fr. Zadig
Babigyan, who had decided to enter the rank of hieromonks, knelt
before the Patriarch, who blessed a monastic hood and placed it on
his head, praying that the Lord would give him the strength to live a
celibate life in his service.
CONGRATULATIONS
As the Patriarch left the church with the procession, the faithful
who had witnessed the ordination of the four new priests lined up in
order to approach them in the chancel and to kiss their anointed
hands as they read the Gospel placed on the lecterns.
FESTIVE LUNCHEON
The Parish Council and the Ladies' Guild of the Besiktas community
then held a festive luncheon in the Balyan Hall of the church in
honour of the newly ordained priests, attended by the Patriarch,
Archbishop Sahan, the clergy, the choir members and the family and
friends of the new priests. Garbis Balmumcuyan and Baruyr Kebabciyan,
representing the Besiktas Parish Council and the alumni of the Holy
Cross Lycee (the former seminary) respectively, made speeches
congratulating the newly ordained priests. The gathering ended with
the closing remarks by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan who spoke of his
own experiences in the service of the Lord as a priest.
FORTY DAYS OF SECLUSION
According to Armenian tradition, after the luncheon the newly
ordained priests returned to the Patriarchate where they were
assigned rooms for seclusion. Following ordination, resembling the
forty days of Christ in the desert, Armenian priests must experience
fourty days of seclusion, fasting,
prayer and meditation before they are allowed to celebrate their
first Divine Liturgy. It is up to the discernment of the ruling
bishop to decide whether to shorten or to lengthen the period of
seclusion in order to render this period of spiritual awareness more
fruitful. Traditionally, during this period the new priests have
only one vegan meal per day at sundown and read through the seven
daily services in the Book of Hours. Each daily meal is provided by a
different community member. Following his first Divine Liturgy, the
new priest prays for the repose of the souls of the relatives of
those who have provided him meals during the period of seclusion.
REVD. FR. ZADIG BABIGYAN (Hieromonk)
Born in Istanbul in 1951, his baptismal name was Harutyun. He
graduated from the Esayan Primary School and Getronagan High School.
Between 1970 and 1976 he worked in the printing house of the Turkish
Armenian Teachers' Foundation as a typist. Between 1976 and 1978 he
served in the Turkish Armed Forces. In 1980 he established his own
printing house which he directed successfully for twenty years.
Between 2000 and 2004 he was an undergraduate student at the
Department of Theology in Yerevan State University, Armenia. Having
graduated, he was ordained a reader by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan.
Later in the same year he was ordained a subdeacon by Bishop Aram
Atesyan, just before he began his one-year course of studies at the
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. On 3
July 2005, on the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration, he was ordained
a Deacon by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. On 28 July 2005, on the Feast
of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith), he was ordained a
celibate priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II, in the Holy
Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZAVEN BICAKCIYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Kayseri (Caesarea of Cappadocia) in 1951, his baptismal name
was Sahag. He attended a local primary school. His family migrated
to Istanbul where, in 1969, he graduated from the Holy Cross Lycee in
Uskudar (former Patriarchal Theological Seminary). He is a graduate
of the Department of Psychology of the University of Istanbul. Apart
from his B.Sc. degree, he obtained diplomas in Social Philosophy,
Social Psychology and Education. Having successfully completed the
Capa State Hospital courses in Clinical Psychology, he obtained the
Diploma of Proficiency in Psychology. He served in the Turkish Armed
Forces as an officer in Tuzla and Kirklareli between 1975 and 1977.
Returning to Istanbul, he married Hayganus Nazig Migiryan and had
three sons - Avedis, Arman and Herman. He was ordained a reader in
1964 by Patriarch Shnorhk of blessed memory. As of 1980, he was a
regular student attending the Bible and Liturgy courses organized by
the Patriarchal See. He was ordained a subdeacon by Archbishop
Mesrob Mutafyan in 1997, after which he was authorized by Patriarch
Karekin II of blessed memory to provide ministry to the Turkish
speaking Armenian faithful as a lay preacher. He was ordained a
deacon by Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan in 2004. On 28 July 2005, on
the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith), he was
ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II, in
the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZOHRAB CIVANYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Gedikpasa, Istanbul in 1960, his baptismal name was Sevan.
He attended the Mesrobyan Elementary School in Gedikpasa. He
graduated from the Getronagan High School in Galata. In 1982 he
graduated from the Department of Architectural Engineering in
Istanbul Technical University. In 1984 he received his M.Sc. degree
from the same university. He served in the Turkish Armed Forces as
an officer in Izmir and Kars. Returning to Istanbul, he worked as an
engineer and in 1998 he married Tanya Papciyan. Since his childhood,
he continuously served as an acolyte in the Armenian Church of Saint
John the Evangelist in Gedikpasa. He participated in the lessons and
activities organized by the Zvartnots and Sayat Nova Choral
Associations. He attended the weekly revival sermons in Gedikpasa
preached by Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan (before his election as
Patriarch) and later by the Very Revd. Hieromonk Sahag Masalyan. In
1974 he was ordained a reader by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. In 1982
he was authorized to wear a stole by Patriarch Shnorhk of blessed
memory. In 2004 he was ordained a subdeacon by Bishop Aram Atesyan
and in 2005 he was ordained a deacon by Patriarch Mesrob II. In June
2005 he successfully completed his one-year course of studies at the
Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. On 28
July 2005, on the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and
Judith), he was ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch
Mesrob II, in the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
REVD. FR. ZAKAR KOPARYAN (Married Priest)
Born in Istanbul in 1972, his baptismal name was Hayg. He graduated
from the Nersesyan-Yermonyan Primary School in Uskudar. In 1990 he
graduated from the Holy Cross Lycee in Uskudar (former Patriarchal
Theological Seminary). He attended a professional course and
obtained a diploma in accountancy. He then worked as an accountant.
He served in the Turkish Armed Forces between 1996 and 1998. He
married Lusyen Balik in 1999 and in 2002 had a daughter, Mane. As of
the year 1998, he attended the Bible Study courses organized by the
Patriarchal See. Between 1999 and 2004, he was an undergraduate
student at the Department of Theology in Yerevan State University,
Armenia. Having graduated, he was ordained a reader by Archbishop
Sahan Sivaciyan. Later in the same year, he was ordained a subdeacon
by Bishop Aram Atesyan, just before he began his one-year course of
studies at the Theological Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia. On 3 July 2005, on the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration,
he was ordained a Deacon by Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan. On 28 July
2005, on the Feast of Saints Giragos and Hughida (Cyriac and Judith),
he was ordained a married priest by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob
II, in the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Besiktas.
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