04 Feb ANNUAL GHEVONTIANTZ CLERGY GATHERING

His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian was in California for the annual clergy gathering and conference on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ghevont and the Priests that began Monday evening and concluded the evening of Wednesday, January 31, 2013.

This year the three North American Prelacies joined to commemorate this holiday, hosted by the Western Prelacy. The conference took place at St. Gregory Church in San Francisco, under the presidency of the three prelates, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian (Western), Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Eastern), and Archbishop Khajag Hagopian (Canadian).

Elected to serve as the executives of the conference were V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and V. Rev. Fr. Meghrig Parikian, co-chairmen; and Archpriest Fr. Viken Vasilian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, secretaries.

The Feast of Ghevontiantz is celebrated each year preceding the Vartanantz Feast. The collective name is in honor of brave clergymen who preached and fought against tyranny before, during and after the war of Vartanantz. It is named in honor of Ghevond Yerets (Leondius the Cleric), who was in the front lines with Vartan at Avarayr. The Feast has now become a time of renewal, reflection, and fellowship for the clergy, as well as a time to remember and honor the clerics who served and passed on.

According to the historians Yeghishe and Ghazar Parpetsi, the clergy who are collectively known as the Ghevontian saints include: Catholicos Hovsep Hoghotsmetsi (also known  as Vayorstzoretsi), Bishop Sahak Rushtouni, Bishop Tatik of Aghbak, the priests Ghevont, Arshen, Manuel, Abraham, Khoren, and deacons Kachach and Abraham.