On Thursday, February 8, 2018, the Feast of St. Vartanants was commemorated within the Western Prelacy with Divine Liturgy at the North Hollywood parish presided by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of clergy members. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon.
The service dedicated to the feast was conducted prior to the sermon and featured a special hymn and intercessory prayers led by the Prelate. Fr. Muron then delivered his sermon, in which he gave a historical overview of the events leading to the Battle of Avarayar and the subsequent outcome, highlighting the staunch faith and valor of Vartan Mamigonian and his soldiers and urging the faithful to uphold our faith and national identity in their ideal example.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, clergy and faithful together sang a number of nationalistic songs, and the service came to a close with Cilicia and the Armenian national anthem.
A reception hosted by the parish Ladies Guild followed, during which parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian and Board member Mr. Baghdig Ekmekjian thanked the Prelate and clergy for the spiritually moving service and congratulated them on the occasion of Ghevontiants.
The Prelate commended the parish family for their hard work in the successful organizing of the commemoration and the Ladies Guild members for the reception.
