The Armenian Brotherhood of Jerusalem yesterday marked in a fitting manner the 50th anniversary of the ecclesiastical service of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Apostolic See of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
We learn of this from the Facebook page of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which particularly states that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of the Patriarch Father, and at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the member fathers of the Brotherhood, as well as dignitaries of the Jerusalem Armenian community, together entered the main hall of the Patriarchate, where appropriate words were spoken.
Among the speakers on this occasion was one of the members of the Brotherhood, T. Baret Archimandrite Yeretsyan, who in his speech emphasised the meaning and significance of the day.
T. Baret Archimandrite particularly said, «Today is a historic day for us, for our Church, because we are marking the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of the occupant of our Holy See.»
T. Baret Archimandrite also said that he well remembers the first day when T. Nourhan Patriarch arrived in Jerusalem, and he also recalls the entire path traversed by the Patriarch Father.
He also noted that today the Patriarchal See is in a good state, and that all of this they owe to T. Nourhan Patriarch, who serves the Holy See of Jerusalem vigilantly and with great devotion.
Then T. Sevan Archbishop Gharibyan, one of the Elder Brothers of the See, delivered a speech, congratulating the Archbishop Father on this occasion, noting that it is easy in words alone to recall and commemorate the entire activity of 50 years, while also affirming that during those long years there were great difficulties.
T. Sevan Archbishop also said that today the Church and the people are one, and that they, as well as the Armenian community of Jerusalem, are gathered around the Patriarch Father, and thanks to love and faithfulness, they shall serve the historic See as one family. T. Samuel particularly noted, «All must see that we are one body and one spirit, and thanks to the brotherly and ecclesiastical spirit all difficulties shall be overcome.»
Then T. Nourhan Patriarch delivered a brief speech, expressing gratitude to all those present and also noting that for him, working as a clergyman is first and foremost a service, assuring that he shall continue to work walking along the path of that same service.
At the end, amidst the applause and toasts of all those present, the 98th Patriarch of Jerusalem, T. Nourhan Archbishop, cut the cake of the day.
