On Tuesday and Wednesday, February 10-11, on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Ghevontian Priests (known as Ghevontiants), the Eastern Prelacy clergy held their traditional gathering at Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
Following the 2026 proclamation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the meeting focused on the renewal of spiritual life. Accordingly, the clergymen devoted Tuesday to introspection, with prayer services and reflection, as well as reading The Imitation of Christ, Thomas Kempis’ enlightening volume.
The Divine Liturgy followed this beautiful experience of spiritual renewal, with Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, visiting pastor of Holy Cross Church (Troy, New York), as celebrant and preacher. The day concluded with a fellowship meal, attended by the parish faithful.
On Wednesday morning, the second part of the Ghevontiants celebration began with the reading of His Holiness’ message. Afterwards, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, read and analyzed the Catholicos’ 2026 proclamation. The clergy then shared personal reflections drawn from Thomas Kempis’ book and discussed issues drawn from their pastoral experience.
Archbishop Anoushavan was visited at Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church by Robert M. Avakian, Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan, with whom he discussed areas of mutual interest and identified opportunities for further partnership. Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, pastor of St. Gregory Church in North Andover and current Grand Chaplain, and Daniel Merian, trustee of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church and Commander of the Worcester “Arshavir” Lodge #2, were also present.
The Prelate presided over the closing ceremony, with a blessing and the group singing of the hymn “Ashagerd Krisdosi” (“Disciple of Christ”).
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan was visited by Robert M. Avakian, Grand Commander (Avak Sbarabed) of the Knights of Vartan. Founded in 1916 by Bishop Papken Guleserian (later Catholicos Co-Adjutor of the Great House of Cilicia), the Knights of Vartan is an Armenian-American fraternity specializing in social, charitable and service work both in Armenia and the United States. Requested by Grand Commander Avakian, the meeting took place at Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church in Whitinsville. Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in North Andover and currently serving under Avakian as Grand Chaplain (Avak Yerets), was present, as well as Daniel Merian, a Trustee of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church and Commander of the Worcester “Arshavir” Knights of Vartan Lodge #2.