A priest is the spiritual leader of his community. The image and daily routine, as well as the life-style of the priest, are an example for the community. As to how do the priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church live and function are told by the TV “This is the Man – the Priest”.

Rev. Father Paren Arakelyan


Father Paren Arakelyan insists that the voice of the priest always reaches the right place. Every diocese has a responsible clergyman, before reaching the executive priest to the assembly, the priest first listens to the opinions of other priests serving in his diocese, and only then puts them on the table of the assembly for discussion. These questions and suggestions are assigned to a priest, who raises them with the Patriarch. Father Paren, the spiritual pastor of Saghmosavank, considers the claim that the voice of the priests is not heard to be false. He is sure that the life of the church is organized and there is no need to reorganize it. According to him, those who exclude themselves from the church are deviating. Church servants are obliged to follow and obey the rules and regulations, which are the backbone of the church.

Father Maghakia Gevorgyan


Father Maghakia Gevorgyan, who has served in the Aragatsotn diocese for more than 25 years, has never seen persecution of priests or violation of their rights in the church. He has never heard from the leaders that they should be silent or tolerate injustices occurring in the church; on the contrary, they have always had opportunities to raise issues. He believes that priesthood teaches humility.

Rev. Fr. Narek Sargsyan


Father Narek, the spiritual pastor of the Holy Cross Church in Aparan, believes that the leaders are caring and nurturing for every clergyman and believer. They try to smooth out every situation so that the priest’s burden is light so that he can best serve the people. When he had a problem, the priest of the workshop immediately gave his consent. He believes that when priests are doing well, spiritual fathers encourage them so that they can achieve great success. He graduated from the priest training course and was ordained a year ago as the spiritual pastor of Aparan and several neighboring villages.

Father Vazgen Hovhannisyan


Father Vazgen Hovhannisyan has been serving at the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan, Aragatsotn Diocese, for about six years. Before that, he served in Yeghegnadzor, where he began to engage in cross-stitching. The church has greatly helped him in his creative life. After searching for a suitable place for cross-stitching with the diocesan Primate, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, they stopped at the area adjacent to the church, where the priest works today. The father presented the spiritual service, rights, responsibilities, and the relationship between spiritual leaders and priests.

Father Abel Kartashyan


Father Abel is a priest of seven borderline villages. He serves in Tavush Diocese. He considers hardships and joys of every soldier and farmer who defends the border his own. What does a man need? A frank and compassionate friend.
 

Father Ghazar Petrosyan


Father Ghazar serves seven villages. He is serving in the seven communities of Ararat Diocese, sharing villager’s cares and joys and helping seven villages to have their churches...