PASADENA, Calif. – On Sunday, September 10, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church and ordained eleven altar servers. Aleksan Giragosian and Armand Yerjanian were ordained into the Diaconate.
Shant Kurdian, Nareg Kurdian, Johnathan Dergazarian and John Yagubian were ordained as sub-deacons. Alexander Mnatsakanian, Andre Mnatsakanian, Garen Matossian, Saro Matossian and Armen Matossian were granted four levels of acolyte.
Giragosian is from a very committed family of Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) supporters. His grandfather, Deacon Yervant Yetenekian, was one of the key people involved in the creation of the TCA Beshgetourian Center in Altadena, California. He is a recent graduate of the University of California Los Angeles School of Law.
Armand Yerjanian is one of the leaders of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Armenian Youth Association Scouts in Pasadena and of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America in the Western Diocese. He has volunteered to help various Armenian organizations, and has helped the TCA office at the Beshgeturian Center with its computer issues.
In his message to the altar servers, the Primate said: “Today’s ordination is most uplifting for us all. These young servants have shown the willingness to serve God and this holy sanctuary. … In particular, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to Deacon Alex and Deacon Armand, who from an early age have continuously and relentlessly served St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church. They have given us hope for a brighter future. It is through this kind of celebration that anniversaries become meaningful.”
Following the ceremony, a luncheon celebrating the newly-ordained altar servers was held in Geragos Hall. Directed by Elise Tashjian, the St. Gregory Choir presented a special choral program to celebrate the occasion.
