Primate Celebrant At St. Vartan Armenian Church – Altar Servers Ordained

On Sunday, November 17, 2019, the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian Church of Oakland. During the service, Archbishop Derderian, with the participation of the Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest, granted four minor orders of acolyte to altar servers Alec Hakimian, Joseph Apkarian, Khoren Sahakian, Michael Karapetyan, Grikor Krikorian, David Krikorian, Ashot Avanesyan and Sarkis Boyadjian. His Eminence ordained David Ojakian, Armen Phelps and Adam Nikssarian as sub-deacons.

Addressing the altar servers, His Eminence inspired them to become stronger in their faith and emboldened in their service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Prior to delivering his homily, Archbishop Derderian called Carol Melanie Rustigian to the nave where he presented to the long-time parishioner the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians conferring upon Mrs. Rustigian the St. Nerses Shnorhali (Graceful) prestigious medal. Archbishop Derderian highlighted the selfless contributions of Mrs. Rustigian for the vivacity of St. Vartan Armenian Church.

Archbishop Derderian also commended the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, commending the priest’s dedication to preserving the Armenian Christian identity in the community.