Last Saturday was a powerful, unforgettable day. My heart is still overflowing with joy and gratitude because I had the honor of performing my first priestly ordination in our Diocese at St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. We’ve been blessed to witness a divine mystery unfolding right before our eyes: Deacon Serop Krajekian has been transformed into a new creation in the Lord, Father Nersess.
A new priest means a new chapter, a new outpouring of grace, a fresh wind of the Spirit. Just as a baptism fills a family with joy, just as a wedding brings celebration, the St. Sahag community, our Eastern Diocese, and the entire Armenian Church rejoice because God has raised up a shepherd to lead His flock.
The Armenian Church stands on the faithfulness of generations of men and women who have answered God's call. We remember especially our forebears who survived the Armenian genocide, those courageous souls who walked through unimaginable darkness yet never lost sight of Christ’s light. Among them were men who answered the call to the priesthood, stepping forward to shepherd our people in the Diaspora through seasons of sorrow and healing.
Their testimonies of resilience and unwavering hope remind us that God can raise up His servants from the darkest valleys, equipping them to guide and care for His flock. Even in the midst of profound loss, these faithful shepherds brought comfort, shared hope, and nurtured the spirit of our scattered communities. Their legacy lives on in every new priest ordained today, including Der Nersess.
To Der Nersess, I say: This is your divine assignment! God has chosen you, equipped you, and He will sustain you. Yes, there will be challenges, but there will also be miracles. There will be moments of doubt but even greater moments of divine strength. Stay faithful, stay humble, and tend to God’s flock! Remember, you are part of a story that God has been writing for centuries—a story of survival, resilience, and hope.
To all who witnessed this sacred moment and to everyone reading this, let’s celebrate the faithfulness of God that transcends the generations. Let’s honor the memories of those who came before us by living with purpose, with passion, and with gratitude for the sacrifice they made. Let’s stand together, united in faith, as one church and one nation under God.
