NEW YORK, NY—The New York metropolitan community came out in large numbers to witness a ceremony that takes place only occasionally in the United States—the ordination of an individual to the holy order of priesthood.

St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City was filled with the Faithful, some traveling thousands of miles, to witness and celebrate this ceremony on the weekend of November 19 and 20, 2005. The candidate was Deacon Krikor Lakissian of New York. The ordaining bishop was His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. The sponsoring priest was V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, and the Godfather was Richard Sarajian, Esq.

Service of Calling

In accordance with the canons of the Armenian Church the “Service of Calling” to the priesthood began Saturday evening immediately after the Vespers service. During this service the candidate’s life, faith and readiness to enter the glorious, but demanding, ministry of the priesthood was examined by the Prelate.

Deacon Krikor, on his knees, was led from the narthex of the Cathedral to the sanctuary and was presented to the Prelate by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, the vicar of the Prelacy and the candidate’s sponsoring priest.

The Archbishop questioned Father Tanielian regarding the candidate’s willingness and spiritual maturity to enter the priesthood. Once this was established, the Archbishop turned to the candidate and asked whether he anathemizes and rejects the teachings of the heretics, to which the candidate responded in the affirmative. The candidate was then asked if he is a student and follower of the holy fathers of the church, namely, the champions of the orthodox faith such as St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Athanasius, St. Basil the Great, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. John Chrysostom, St. John of Otzoon, St. Gregory of Datev, and all the fathers of the Ecumenical Councils of Nicea, Constantinople, and Ephesus. To which Deacon Krikor replied, “I am their disciple and follower.” Then at the command of the Archbishop, the candidate recited the Orthodox faith of the Armenian Apostolic Church (a creed attributed to St. Gregory of Datev, which is a more elaborate creed than the Nicene Creed recited during the Divine Liturgy). Making the sign of the cross over the candidate’s head, Srpazan Hayr prayed that the Lord would tenderly protect, with blessings fortify and with grace illuminate his mind, his senses, his heart, his thoughts, his words and deeds, his coming and going. The service of calling ended with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.

Other clergy participating in the Saturday evening service included: V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, V. Rev. Fr. Bartev Gulumian, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Archpriest Moushegh Der Kaloustian, Archpriest Arshag Daghlian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian.

Ordination and Consecration

The next morning, Sunday, November 20, the Cathedral was again filled. The Divine Liturgy began with the Episcopal procession and continued until Zi Voghormadz, right before the scriptural readings. As the Prelate took his place on the Episcopal throne, Deacon Krikor, walking on his knees was brought before the Archbishop with psalmody and hymns, escorted by the sponsoring priest. After one final inquiry regarding the candidate’s qualifications for the priesthood, the Prelate placed his hands on the candidate’s head and prayed that the candidate would be “worthy to keep the priestly rank spotless, and that he would be a worker who has no need to be ashamed, and that the Lord would grant him apostolic grace to heal, to preach, to call upon the Holy Spirit to accomplish the Holy Sacraments.”

At the end of this powerful prayer, Archbishop Oshagan, taking the stole from Deacon Krikor’s left shoulder, placed it around his neck, saying: “Take the yoke of our Lord Jesus Christ; for His yoke is sweet and His burden is light.” The Liturgy resumed with scriptural readings and continued until the Kiss of Peace when once again the candidate was brought before the Archbishop.

After a lengthy prayer, Deacon Krikor was given the vestments of his office, one piece at a time, accompanied with prayers. While he was being vested, the choir sang Khorhoort Khorheen (O Mystery Profound). Fully vested, the candidate was now ready to be anointed and receive his ordained name—the moment everyone was awaiting. “Blessed and anointed and cleansed be the forehead of the priest Der… Mesrob….” With these words Archbishop Oshagan consecrated the new priest and handed the Holy Chalice to him as a sign of authority to offer the Holy Sacrifice, and invited him to give his blessing to the congregation. Der Mesrob turned towards the faithful and gave his first blessing saying, Khaghaghoutioun Amenetzoun (Peace to all). Thus, the ordination ceremony concluded.

Prelate’s Sermon

In his sermon, Archbishop Oshagan spoke about service and love. “The heavens are happy today,” he said, “because Der Mesrob has pledged to give his life to Christ. Since his youthful years he has followed the way of our Lord. He came to the United States to serve the Prelacy and today we have ordained him to serve as a shepherd to our people.”

Addressing the newly ordained priest His Eminence said, “Dear Der Hayr, the cross is not suffering. The cross is the complete picture of Christ. When we carry the cross with complete love and dedication it is not a burden.”

His primary advice to Der Mesrob was to love the Church and the Faithful. “If I have one word of advice to you, it is to love God and those you serve and to follow Christ. What does it mean to follow Christ? It means to be Christ-like in all aspects of life.”

Archbishop Oshagan spoke about his choice of the name Mesrob for the new priest. “In our history the first recorded name of Mesrob belonged to a Vartabed. A clergyman who heard the call of God and followed Him and through his divine invention gave to our people the words of the Bible. He gave our people identity. This year is the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet, and for that reason we felt it appropriate to choose the name Mesrob. We hope as you begin your service you will always bring to your mind the work and deeds of that Vartabed.”

The Prelate continued: “We also selected the name Mesrob in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian who served our Prelacy for many years with distinction.” Again addressing Der Mesrob, the Prelate said: “He showed you how a clergyman should live. You saw his work, his dedication to the Armenian Church and the caring attention he gave the people. On this happy occasion I pray that you become Christ-like and be a righteous servant of the Armenian Church. May our Lord bless you with a long and healthy life.”

The Liturgy resumed with the “Kiss of Peace.” The clergy exchanged the kiss of peace with their newly ordained brother by embracing him and kissing his anointed forehead and hands.

At the end of the Liturgy, the congregation was invited to come forward and greet Der Mesrob, kiss his anointed forehead and receive his blessings. With the help of his Godfather, Richard Sarajian, the Holy Muron was washed from his forehead and hands.

Other clergy participating in the service on Sunday included V. Rev. Fr. Bartev Gulumian, former dean of the Seminary in Antelias, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Archpriest Moushegh Der Kaloustian, and Archpriest Arshag Daghlian.

Reception after Service

A reception took place in Pashalian Hall immediately after the ceremony where everyone had the opportunity to congratulate Der Mesrob, Yeretzgeen, and Diramayr.

An elaborate table had been prepared by the Cathedral’s Ladies Guild, which the Prelate blessed and invited all to partake.

Archbishop Oshagan again presented the newly ordained priest, emphasizing some of the points in his sermon. “I chose the name Mesrob,” said the Prelate, “in honor of the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian alphabet which we are celebrating this year, and also in honor of the blessed memory of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, who served as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy for two decades. It was primarily during his tenure that our new priest served the Prelacy. He grew up under his tutelage.”

Der Mesrob expressed his deep thanks to Archbishop Oshagan for his fatherly guidance, to Hayr Anoushavan his sponsoring priest and teacher, and to his Godfather on this occasion, Richard Sarajian, Esq.

He spoke emotionally about the two clergymen who had great influence on him during his formative years in the Seminary and beyond, namely His Holiness Karekin II, during his pontificate as Catholicos of Cilicia, and Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. “Neither one is with us today,” he said, “but I believe they are watching us from their heavenly home.”

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Krikor Lakissian was born in Anjar, Lebanon, with ancestral roots in Musa Dagh. He entered the Armenian Theological Seminary in Antelias in 1983 and graduated in 1990. He was sent to the United States in August 1991 to serve in the offices of the Eastern Prelacy. During this time he attended Queens College to further his English education. At the Prelacy he served in a number of capacities, including for many years as the manager of the Bookstore.

He has served as a Deacon at the Cathedral for nearly 15 years. He has been a teacher of Armenian language, history and religion at St. Sarkis Saturday School and St. Illuminator’s Day School. For the past three years he has served as the principal of the Siamanto Academy in New York. He is married to Ojen Baboumian and they have a daughter, Taleen.

In 2001 he was recognized and honored by Governor George Pataki of New York for “dedicated service” and in recognition of the vital role he played in “promoting the needs of New York’s Armenian American community.” The commendation praised him for his extraordinary efforts “on behalf of the youth, through his service at Saturday, Sunday and Day schools.”

Forty Day Seclusion

In accordance with the tradition of the Armenian Church, Der Mesrob is retreating for forty days at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, where he is under the supervision of his sponsoring priest, V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, and V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church.

Following the forty-day seclusion, Der Mesrob will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral on Sunday, December 25.

May the Lord Jesus Christ make him worthy of his priesthood.