We joyfully announce to our faithful community that on Sunday, June 10, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will ordain Deacon Khatchig Shannakian into the priesthood. The ordination will take place at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale during Divine Liturgy. According to the Armenian Church calendar, that day coincides with the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Prelate will conduct the service of the calling into the priesthood on the evening of Saturday, June 9, which is the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Delivery from the Pit. The service will take place at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena at 6:00 p.m..
Deacon Khatchig Shannakian was born in 1982 in Anjar, Lebanon. He has been actively involved in the Armenian Apostolic Church since childhood. At the age of four, his family immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he attended the local A.R.S. day school and later continued his education at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School. During his teenage years, Deacon Khatchig’s family moved back to Anjar, where he obtained his middle school education at the Armenian Evangelical School. A few years later the family again relocated to Toronto, where Khatchig received his Secondary School education at Senator O’Connor High School and obtained his (grade 13) O.A.C diploma. He continued his higher education at the University of Toronto, earning his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Neuroscience and Psychology.
Though he was admitted to Medical School, Khatchig had a calling for a different path in life and attended St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology, at the University of Toronto, where he specialized in Eastern Orthodox Theology. Alongside his studies at university, Khatchig gained knowledge in Armenian Apostolic Church canons, rites, and traditions under the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Meghrig Parikian at St. Mary’s Church in Toronto, where he also participated in church sacraments, Bible studies, seminars, and choir. In 2005, he was ordained a deacon by H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
In 2010, he was appointed executive member of the Canadian Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council, and served until relocating to Los Angeles in the summer of 2011. In Los Angeles, he continued his studies at El Camino College and earned his Master’s of Divinity degree from the University of Toronto.
Since February of 2012, Khatchig has been working at the Prelacy Christian Education Department. Upon his ordination and following his forty days of solitude, he will assume responsibilities in the Prelacy Christian Education Department leading the youth groups and Bible studies.
Deacon Khatchig resides in Palos Verdes with his wife Roubina. He is currently fulfilling the final requirements of priesthood under the guidance of the Prelate.
