Armenian Catholic Celebration

A First for Australia

Over 1,000 members of Sydney's Armenian Catholic Community and guests gathered this evening to celebrate the first ordination of an Armenian priest in the traditional Armenian rite in this country.

The Patriarch of the world's 750,000 Armenian Catholics, His Beatitude Jean Pierre XVIII Kasparian, ordained to the priesthood Reverend George Hallak Berberian at St. Mary's Cathedral, in a religious ceremony that has not been modified for over 17 centuries.

His Beatitude Kasparian, who arrived in Sydney last Wednesday on a three-week pastoral visit, highlighted the enormous contribution communities such as the Armenian Catholic Community have made to Australia's multicultural society.

"Since arriving in Sydney and spending some time with my people, I have felt an enormous sense of pride and personal satisfaction at the wonderfiil contribution they are making to this country and the Catholic faith here," he said. "I believe that multicultural Australia will be greatly enriched by the influence of communities such as the Armenian Catholic community who have come here and made this country their home". "This has been reflected by the very unique and uplifting religious celebration this evening", His Beatitude stated.

The ordination was celebrated in the biblical Armenian dialect 'Krapar'. The new priest will begin his vocational duties for the Armenian Catholic Community in Sydney. He will work from The Lady of the Assumption Armenian Catholic Church in Lidcombe.

Press Release, September 5 1998. Sydney