On the evening of Thursday, January 5, 2017, the eve of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated in Prelacy Churches with Divine Liturgy and “Jrakalooyts” service. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan assisted at the altar. Archpriest Fr. Vahan Gosdanian participated in the service. Among the faithful in attendance was Executive Council member Mrs. Therese Kemanjian.
The celebration of the Divine Liturgy began following the reading of Scriptures and evening prayers. Later in the service, the Prelate began his message by giving thanks to Almighty God for the New Year and then greeted the parish family, the Pastor, Board and Delegates, and in particular the new Choirmaster, Mr. Yervant Keshishian, wishing him well in his new mission. His Eminence commended also Deacon Haroutiun Matossian for his decades-long volunteer service at the church.
Turning to the message of the day’s celebration, the Prelate stated, “God became man to liberate man from the bonds of sin, but also to sow love, peace, and goodwill in the hearts of man. Heaven and earth came together at Christ’s Birth through the love and mercy of God, Who sent His Son to the world to restore mankind to the image in which he was created and to reconcile the God-man relationship. Today, this message of the Nativity and Theophany comes once again to bring renewal and peace to our spirits, to bolster our lives with the message of love, goodwill, brotherhood, and harmony.”
Faithful received Holy Communion at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, after which the Jrakalooyts service began. The Prelate lit a candle representing the Light of Christ spreading to the world, which was used to light the candles of the faithful as the sweet sound of the Christmas hymn “Great and Marvelous Mystery” echoed through the Church. At the close of the service, faithful took home their lit candles to spread Christ’s Light to their loved ones.
