Chamlian School Graduating Class Visits the Prelacy Ahead of Pilgrimage to Armenia


In advance of their pilgrimage to Armenia, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, the graduating class of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School visited the Prelacy to receive the blessings of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. Upon their arrival, the students, accompanied by Principal Dr. Taline Kargodorian, Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, teachers, and parents, joined the Prelate and Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian for Sunrise Service at the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel. The students then presented a program at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall.

Student Eric Kalousdian served as the Master of Ceremonies, and to start invited his classmate Arek Aghamanoukian to deliver the welcoming remarks. Arek greeted the Prelate and stated the purpose of their visit, to receive his blessings as they prepare to travel to Armenia, stating their visits to Etchmiadzin, Oshagan, Khor Virab, and other sacred sites will provide a unique opportunity for them to pledge their love for their mother tongue, their commitment to preserving our heritage, and their allegiance to our faith. Following a dance and piano performance and two recitations, the MC invited student Sose Hovspeian to explain the School’s new Armenian language program launched recently, which is intended to encourage and motivate students to speak Armenian with one another. The students presented to the Prelate a signed group photograph symbolizing this new program, and also a memento on behalf of the parents.

The Prelate then delivered his message, first highly commending the students for their presentations, for their pledge to uphold our heritage, and their enthusiasm for the new initiative. Given that the visit coincided with Lent and the forthcoming feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Descent into the Pit, His Eminence spoke to the students about the importance of spiritual renewal and of the selfless service and sacrifice of our patron saint, hoping that pilgrimages to our holy sites in Armenia will serve to bolster their religious and national identity. On their visit to Dzidzernagapert, the Prelate urged the students to seek the intercession of our holy martyrs, who were canonized last year on the eve of the Genocide Centennial, for the advancement of our homeland, church, and nation.

Following the benediction by the Prelate, the students joined in the singing of Cilicia and the Armenian national anthem, and after breakfast returned to their school with good memories and mementos.

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