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Priest Ordination at Virgin Mary Church, Orange, CA

On Saturday April 21, 2018, His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, the Archbishop of the Western USA Archdiocese, celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy at Virgin Mary Church in Orange, CA, Assisted by very Rev. George Touma, with the church deacons and the choir of the church. A large crowd of faithful and relatives attended this wonderful spiritual event.

During the Liturgy, His Eminence the Archbishop elevated Full-Deacon Thomas Totonchy to the rank of priesthood to serve Virgin Mary church at Orange.

In his sermon, the Archbishop mentioned the way that Thomas who born in Portland, Oregon, desired to serve God through the rank of priesthood. His Eminence also spoke about the biography of the newly ordained Thomas… and instructed him to imitate the Lord Christ…then he congratulated the family members, all his relatives and the faithful of the Church, wishing him all the best in his spiritual life.

At the end of his speech, His Eminence granted the newly ordained priest a certificate of the priesthood.

Afterward, the newly ordained priest delivered an impressive speech in which he thanked His Eminence for offering this Divine Liturgy and ordained him as priest, promising to uphold the teachings of the Church and to submit to its leaders. He also thanked everyone who participated on his spiritual joy.

All attendees were invited to the church social hall for the dinner, which was prepared for this wonderful spiritual occasion.