Bishop Daniel Ordains Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian at Sourp Haroutiun Church

He noted the significant, more-than-coincidental circumstances underlying the ordination day: that it was taking place on the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit; that the day’s reading from Isaiah 61 proclaimed that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…”; and that the ceremony was happening in a church named for the Holy Resurrection, or Sourp Haroutiun in Armenian.

“The Church of the Holy Resurrection: the church of ‘New Life’ — that’s what you are,” the bishop said, gesturing towards the congregation, “on this day of new life for St. Gregory. On this day of new priestly life for a young man. A day of new life for his entire family…. A day of new life for the clergy here, who all feel enriched by another bright priest to do God’s work.”

The Primate also touchingly remembered a beloved priest of the Diocese, the late Fr. Haroutiun Dagley, who died in 2002 at age 46, and said that the spirit of the late priest was present among them “as another Der Haroutiun steps forward, to bring Good News and New Life to the people who have been entrusted to him. He’ll do that in his own way, with the gifts given to him. And he’ll do that with an awareness of all the intersecting details surrounding his ordination day.”

Bishop Daniel challenged his listeners to be attentive to such intersecting details in daily life, and through them to ask: “How is God inviting me to get a glimpse of that New Life He wants every person to have?”

“God has anointed Der Haroutiun today; and through him, He has called all of you to be ministers of God’s will, God’s new life, God’s resurrection in the world.”

Work of the Entire Community

Growing up in Massachusetts, for most of his youth Fr. Haroutiun was a member of Holy Translators Church in Framingham, where his father has long served as pastor. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, while minoring in Music and French, from Boston College. He then graduated from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in 2018 with a Masters of Divinity and a certificate in Armenian Studies, respectively. He completed a pastoral internship under the guidance of the Fr. Shnork Souin at the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Providence, RI.

Fr. Mardiros Chevian, St. Nersess Seminary’s dean, described Fr. Haroutiun’s seminary studies as “a three-year program studying a host of subjects, including theology, church history, and Scripture. It also involved spending time overseas in an Armenian monastery abroad.” Fr. Haroutiun has spent time in Jerusalem as well as Armenia.

Fr. Haroutiun is married to Lucine Sabounjian. His parents are Fr. Krikor Sabounjian and Yeretzgin (and now also Diramayr) LuAnn Sabounjian.

The ordination represented the fifth priestly ordination performed by Findikyan since his elevation to the episcopal rank in 2019, and his third in as many months.

In a message made in the days prior to his ordination, then-Deacon Michael had said: “I ask everyone for their prayers, that Christ might embolden me in my faith, strengthen me in my perseverance, and guide me in my ministry. It is clear to me that no success in my pastorate will come as a result of my own efforts, but rather from each member of our parish coming together in Christ’s self-sacrificial love. In that spirit, I pray that the Holy Spirit might direct all that I do in this new chapter of my service within the Body of Christ.”

Findikyan said that ordaining Fr. Haroutiun was a pleasure, having known his family for many years. “My role as the bishop is to make sure we have leadership, shepherding, and care within our church communities,” said the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

Fr. Haroutiun’s transition to become the pastor of Holy Resurrection Church was greatly assisted by two parish committees. The first was a Transition Committee chaired by Dn. Matthew Cannata, and the second an Ordination Committee chaired by Elisa Griego and Robbin Haboian. The Transition Committee focused on welcoming Dn. Michael to the parish and introducing him to the faithful; the Ordination Committee attended to every detail of the sacred weekend, culminating in a well-attended banquet at Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, CT. Both committees received guidance and direction from seminary dean Fr. Chevian.

The banquet following the ordination provided an opportunity for fellowship and public reflections on Fr. Haroutiun, the Armenian Church, and its role in the lives of its faithful.

Gary Hovhanesian served as an able Master of Ceremonies for the banquet program, bringing a blend of solemnity and humor to the occasion. Guy Simonian, chair of the Holy Resurrection Parish Council, stated that the church had been impressed with what Fr. Haroutiun had accomplished as a deacon, and looked forward to working with him as their new priest.

Poignant observations were also offered by Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, godfather Stepan Piligian, and Fr. Haroutiun himself. Bishop Daniel inspired all in attendance with his stirring closing remarks and challenges.

As is customary following an ordination, the new priest has entered a 40-day period of seclusion, during which he will devote his time to prayer, reflection, and preparation. He will spend his time at St. Nersess Seminary, where he will reflect on his new ministry and the responsibilities of the priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Armenian Church.

On Sunday, July 18, Fr. Haroutiun will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the first at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, his new parish.

Video, Service of Calling:

https://www.facebook.com/ACHRCT/videos/2969936336666791

Video, Ordination Service:

https://www.facebook.com/ACHRCT/videos/485454919390245