On Thursday, January 6, 2022, on the occasion of the Birth and Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church complex in Encino. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, members of the Executive Council, parish delegates, benefactors, parishioners and members of community organizations were present during the Liturgy.
The Prelate commenced his message by stating, “On this blessed Christmas morning, we all raise our voices of praise and thanksgiving, from earth to the heavens; towards God, the Giver of life, who, in spite of the various difficulties that exist around us, blessed us with His Divine Grace and brought us together so that we could all pray and look towards Jesus, who shines like a ray of light from the manger of Bethlehem.”
Expounding on the concept that God is the giver of all, the Prelate asked the faithful ‘as a Christian, what gift do we offer baby Jesus.’ The Prelate added, “the only thing in life that does not belong to Jesus Christ is our human weaknesses and sins, which we bring before our Lord, with steadfast faith that He will take away all our sins, and in return Divine blessings will flow in our lives.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the blessing of the water service took place. The baptismal godfather was Mr. Raffi Sarian, the son of benefactors Hovig and Suzy Sarian.
Thereafter, the parishioners with renewed faith took home the blessed water, to enlighten the lives of their friends and relatives – as a sign of new blessings to come and to enlighten their lives by the news of the Holy Birth and Revelation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.