Orange, NJ – On December 21, 2024 His Eminence Archbishop Petros – Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Surrounding Regions and Member of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) – ordained a new priest to assist V. Rev. Fr. Melake Ganet Kesis Tesfa Eyesus and Rev. Fr. Lique Tiguhan Kesis Bede Mariam at the altar of Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
His Eminence and the priests of the hosting parish were joined at the altar by priests from throughout the Archdiocese and beyond, including SCOOCh delegates V. Rev. Fr. Melake Tsion Kesis Mahitma Selassie of St. George Church in Brooklyn, NY and V. Rev. Fr. Melake Hayel Kesis Amde Tsion-Durden of St. Michael’s Church in Englewood, NJ, each of whom gave impassioned homilies as part of the day’s activities in order to mark the occasion.
The new priest – Rev. Fr. Wolde Yohannes – was ordained by the hand of His Eminence Archbishop Petros during the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence invited the Secretary of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches – Rev. Archdeacon Gebre Kristos Nicholas Siniari – to assist him during the ceremony by chanting those readings of the ordination rite traditionally assigned to the archdeacon in the churches of the Alexandrian tradition.
After the ordination, the Liturgy continued, with Fr. Wolde Yohannes (who has faithfully served the parish for many years in the diaconate) joining his fellow clergy at the altar for the first time as a priest. Rev. Fr. Bede Mariam was honored with carrying the Tabot during the traditional procession marking the Tahisas St. Gabriel’s Day Celebration. At the conclusion of the services, the clergy and the faithful adjourned to the Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq Church Hall for an agape meal appropriate for the Nativity Fast.
The Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches congratulates His Eminence Archbishop Petros, V. Rev. Fr. Melake Ganet Kesis Tesfa Eyesus, Rev. Fr. Bede Mariam, and the deacons and faithful of St. Gabriel’s parish on the ordination of Rev. Fr. Wolde Yohannes to the priesthood. Axios! Axios! Axios!