Archbishop Derderian Ordains Deacon And Subdeacons At St. Sarkis Church

The faithful of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Santa Clarita joyfully welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered an inspiring sermon. The Archbishop's pastoral visit was marked by a sacred ordination service during which Hovhannes Gyozalyan was ordained into the Holy Diaconate, while altar servers Hakob Gyozalyan, Samvel Minasyan, Shant Issagholian, and Arman Tarkhanian were ordained as Subdeacons. The ordinations represented a significant milestone in the spiritual lives of these devoted young men as they embraced a deeper calling to serve Christ and His Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.

Addressing the congregation, Archbishop Derderian offered his heartfelt congratulations to the newly-ordained altar servers and encouraged them to embrace their sacred ministry with humility, devotion, and unwavering faith. Invoking God's abundant blessings upon them, he prayed that the Almighty would grant them wisdom, strength, perseverance, and spiritual discernment as they faithfully carry out their ministry and become worthy servants of the Holy Altar for many years to come.

Archbishop Derderian also commended pastoral leadership of the Rev. Fr. Zaven Marksoyan, the zealous Christian spirit of the Parish Council and all auxiliary bodies for working together to spread the Gospel of Christ, our Lord.   

The faithful joined in prayer, giving thanks to God for the gift of new servants dedicated to the life and mission of the Church.