Yahya's Priesthood Ceremony  Istanbul - June.2011

This work is a part of "Yahya's story" one of my small project. I witnessed his training period, his marriage, his priesthood ceremony and his first Easter Celebration in Vakifli Village. After he married with Hayganus. Now it is time to be a pastor in front of the community. Yahya promises to be the pastor in front of the religious delegation and his community. He's a new person now and his new name is Avedis. Avedis means "good news". At the end of the ceremony, first the priests and then the church congregation recognize Avedis priesthood by kissing his hands.
After the ceremony he began to work in Iskenderun Church and Vakifli Village Church.Vakifli is the only Armenian village in Turkey located Antakya (Antioch) City.