On Monday, February 13, 2012, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feasts of Ghevontiants, which is also a celebration of clergy. Each year, this feast is celebrated within the Prelacy with Divine Liturgy and the annual Ghevontiants clergy conference.
The day began in the morning with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, with the participation of clergy members. Students of Rose and Alex Pilibos School were also in attendance.
In his sermon, the Prelate reflected on the participation and role of our clergy in the battle of Vartanants which was fought in defense of our faith and nation. He exalted the staunch and unwavering faith and courage of our Ghevontiants saints who gave their lives for our Christian Armenian nation. The spirit of Ghevontiants, which was manifested in the battle of Vartanants, lives on today and brings us the timeless message of love for God and nation, and faithfulness to our faith, church canons, and traditions.
The service was followed by lunch, after which began the clergy conference. Professor Hans-Juergen Feulner of the Institute for Liturgical Studies at the University of Vienna, who is in town for his annual visit, participated in the conference, speaking on his field of expertise and about the students studying at the university.
The conference focused on pastoral and administrative responsibilities, obligations and mission of clergy. Given that 2012 was proclaimed the “Year of the Armenian Book” by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Archpriest Fathers Nareg Pehlivanian and Hrant Yeretzian, who were entrusted with the presentation of our Pontiff’s new book Taking the Church to the People, gave an analysis of the book. This provided an opportunity for the clergy members to discuss in depth various issues raised in the book and to evaluate their multi-faceted mission, which includes rituals and ceremonies, Christian education, Bible studies, and spiritual nourishment of our youth, to better serve their faithful flock and prevent “sheep in wolf’s clothing” to sway our faithful.
Clergy members also discussed the schedule of upcoming Great Lent Sunrise and Vesper services, and the necessity of preparing new deacons and church servants.
