ETCHMIADZIN, MAY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. After completing their 40-day fast in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on May 27, twelve newly ordanied clergymen celebrated their first liturgies in various Armenian churches. They were ordained by the Head of the US Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Terterian on May 15 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. After the liturgy, the newly ordained priests were received by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II who passed his patriarchial persuasion and commandment to the clergymen, urging them to serve the pious people and the Armenian church with a strong belief and great devotion. According to the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the aegis of His Holiness Karekin II the 12 clergymen will start their service in various bodies of the Mother See and different dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Monk Harutyun Kirakosian, priest Aram Mirzoyan and priest Sipan Grigorian have been appointed to serve in various bodies of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Priest Hovel Ohanian will serve in the US Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, priest Arakel Amirian - in the Armenian diocese of Nor Nakhijevan and Russia, priest Manuk Zeylanian and priest Armash Poghosian - in the Armenian diocese of Georgia, priest Yeprem Harutyunian - in the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, priest Soghomon Minasian - in the Shirak diocese, priest Zhirayr Khachatrian - in the Kotayk diocese, and priest Vigen Manukian - in the Aragatsotn diocese. Under the aegis of His Holiness Karekin II, monk Maghakia Amirian will go to Greece in order to continue his studies there.

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