Diaconal ordination ceremony was held on January 6 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Istanbul.
The ritual in Turkish was led by the Latin Catholic Bishop of Istanbul, Monsignor Ruben Tierrablanca, while the Emeritus Latin Catholic Bishop Monsignor Louis Pelâtre, Chaldean Archbishop Monsignor Ramzi Garmou, First Counselor of the Vatican ambassador in Turkey Monsignor Luis-Miguel Munoz Cardaba, Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Vicar Chorbishop Monsignor Orhan Çanlı, representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Father Dimitri, representative of the Armenian Catholic Church Father Abraham also attended this special ceremony.
The hymn of entrance started, and the procession of the clergymen entered the cathedral with Monsignor Tierrablanca. Deacon candidate, 53-year-old Turkish Fransua sat next to Father Alvaro who was ordained recently.
After the reading from the Gospel of St. John read by Diacon Nicola from Izmir, the ceremony of the diaconal ordination began.
In his sermon Monsignor Tierrablanca said: “It is very important to understand: the bishop and priests are the practitioners of the mysteries “in persona Christi capitis ecclesiae” (in the name of Christ, the head of the Church and the body), the deacons are their assistants and their services “in persona Christi ministri” (on Christ’s behalf, I serve). I want to underline once again that we need to understand the importance of the person’s call to serve as a permanent deacon. Today, Fransua is receiving the assignment of the title of the permanent diaconate, the first degree of the order of priesthood in the Apostolic Vicariate in Istanbul. Dear Fransua , thank you for opening your ears to the call of God and your heart to the Holy Spirit. Be in the service of our brothers, with the support of life, family and our local Church.”
After the sermon, deacon Francis swore that he wants to be servant of all the Christian community as a deacon in front of the bishop and the faithful. He accepted this mission with respect in front of the bishop. Then Monsignor Tierrablan invited all the guests to pray for him.
At the end of the diaconal ordination, Fransua laid down on the ground as an indication of the humility and the parish priest of the Saint Anthony Church Father Iosif sang the litanies of the Saints.
Monsignor Tierrablanca read the diaconal appointment prayer and put his hands on Fransua.
After this prayer of appointment was over, the recently ordained Franciscan Priest Alvaro put the special deacon garment on Fransua. Then he knelt before the Bishop who gave him a Bible and the deacon kissed the Bible.
After the ceremony, Bishop Tierrablanca and deacon Fransua distributed the Holy Communion to the entire congregation. Before the rite was over, the new deacon thanked everyone for their prayers and friendship. He also thanked one his Romanian formator priest who came from France Father Adriano Baciu, Father Alexandre, Father Anton, Saint Anthony’s Parish and Bishop Ruben Tierrablanca.
Throughout the entire rite, Sen Antuan Choir was led by the parish priest Iosif. (SAT-7 TURK / Nathalie Ritzmann )
