Armenian Orthodox Ordain First Deaf Sub-Deacon

On Sunday, June 26, 2011, Armenian Orthodox acolyte Tigran Khachikyan will be ordained as a sub-deacon at St. Leon Armenian Church in Burbank, California by H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

This is a first for the Armenian Church in that Tigran is the first Deaf person to be ordained in the Armenian Church. I believe he is also the first Deaf person to be ordained in any Orthodox jurisdiction in the USA. More on his ordination to the sub-diaconate can be read here. Tigran has also been a strong advocate for the Deaf community in the Los Angeles area.

I have had the privilege of meeting Tigran and I feel sure his ministry will be a great asset to the Armenian Church. For example, he has produced a series of videos in American Sign Language explaining the Orthodox faith that are very well done. Here he explains the significance of lighting a candle in Orthodox worship:

I hope this will encourage other Orthodox jurisdictions to commit to ministry to the Deaf here in the USA, as such is long overdue!

Many years to Tigran in his ministry in the Armenian Church!

Update: here is a video from Tigran’s ordination to the sub-diaconate:

For further reading:

Orthodox Christians Who are Deaf and Blind

St Mark the Deaf