Page 118 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Rich Spirituality 119

Holy Orders
The sacrament of Holy Orders (jer˙nat-
rut‘iwn), otherwise known as Ordination,
grants, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
special ministry and function to anyone that
has the calling to dedicate himself to God's
mission through the church in the world.
The Armenian Church has three basic orders:
deaconhood, priesthood, and episcopate. At
all ordination ceremonies there is the laying
on of hands; priests, bishops, and catholicoi
are also anointed with the holy muron.
How is an ordination performed in the
Armenian Church?
The order of deacon (sarkawag) is pre-
ceded by that of protodeacon (kisasarkawag)
and the latter by altar boy (dpir). The order
of altar boy is generally given at an early age
to those assisting the deacon or singing
in the children’s choir. The order consists
of four grades: doorkeeper (dr˙napanut‘iwn),
reader (ənt‘erc‘ołut‘iwn), exorcist (erdmnec‘u-
c‘č‘utiwn), and acolyte (jahənkalut‘iwn). The
ordination of a protodeacon includes a bib-
lical reading, hymns, and a brief prayer. The
senior deacon is called archdeacon (awag
sarkawag). The ordination of deacons, priests,
and bishops has basically the same pattern.
All ordinations, except for that of bishops,
are performed by a bishop or the catholicos;
the ordination of bishops is performed only
by the catholicos.