Dear Friends,
With great joy we welcome into our midst Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, who is a most distinguished clergyman of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In his official capacity Srpazan Hayr travels extensively throughout the world representing our Diocese, the Armenian Church in general and the National Council of Churches at high-level meetings with religious leaders, diplomats and heads of states.
We are extremely proud of Srpazan Hayr’s accomplishments and we pray that the Lord grant him wisdom and patience to carry out his critical apostolic mission and grant him many years …. “unt yergayn avoorus ooghigh vartabedootyamp!”
With his visit we are once again reminded of the hierarchical nature of our church, as opposed to the congregational model of the majority of American Churches.
In the Armenian Church the ultimate authority is the Catholicos of All Armenians, who resides in the Christ-established Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He is the chief bishop (overseer), for whom we pray at each holy Badarak. He consults the synod of bishops when making important decisions for the Armenian Church universal.
At the same time in our Diocese (geographical jurisdiction), covering the Eastern United States (its western frontier is currently Minnesota in the North and Texas in the south), the Archbishop - Primate is the ultimate authority. He is assisted by his Vicar General and the Diocesan Council. We pray for the Primate at each celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
Parish priests or pastors are assigned by the Primate to administer the sacraments and meet the spiritual needs of Armenian Orthodox people of a particular city or territory. A fact that is often forgotten is that the Primate is the true pastor of the churches in his Diocese and the priests serve as his representatives. The priest’s ability to celebrate the sacraments is only by virtue of the authorization of the Primate. The perpetual presence of the Primate’s throne just to the left of the center chancel is a reminder of this important fact.
Today at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy Vicken Srpazan will confer the four orders or ranks of acolyte (tbrootiun) upon Haig Yaghoobian, Jr., who has been serving at the holy altar faithfully for the last few years.
The four orders are:
- Turnaban – The porter is in charge of opening and closing the doors of the sanctuary and seeing that the sanctuary is kept clean and orderly.
- Untertsogh – The lector has permission to read the Holy Scriptures during the worship.
- Yertumnetsootseech – The exorcist guides the catechumens to renounce Satan.
- Chahungal or Momagal – The acolyte is in charge of lighting the candles in the sanctuary.
We pray that the Lord inspire Haig as he progresses in his service to the Lord.
Today we have also asked Srpazan Hayr to pronounce a special blessing on the members of our beloved Junior Choir: Nicole Agamov, Alexandra Beyrouthy, Antoinette L. Bonjiorno, Hasmik Gevorkian, Lilit Gevorkian, Vanessa Ghazarian, Marissa Curran, Veronica Curran, Alexandra DeMasi, Sevan Janigian, Shahane Manukyan, Mari Mugerdichian, Nicole Nahabedian, Lusine Ovanesyan, Mariam Saribekian, Christina Zaroogian.
May the Lord bless the members of our Junior Choir under Maestro Konstantin’s direction and inspire many more to join their ranks for His greater glory!
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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
February 1, 2009