On Sunday, November 21, 2021, H. G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, celebrated Episcopal Divine Liturgy and the 58th anniversary of the consecration Holy Martyrs Church of Encino. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian attended the service; parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and deacons assisted at the altar. Executive Council members, representatives of affiliate organizations and entities, NRA delegates from the region, benefactors and Sunday school students also attended.
In his sermon, Prelate Donoyan addressed three subjects. The following are highlights: All Saints Day—we are invited by God to embrace the example of the saints and live by God’s will and plan; The Feast of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin to the Temple—to present ourselves to the temple of God, as the Blessed Virgin Mary, and dedicate our lives to increasing the divine blessings in our lives and the lives of those around us; the imperative of turning prayer into action—praying to Almighty God to increase the power of prayer by turning prayer into life’s work in order to become a full-fledged Christian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the prelate presided over a special requiem service dedicated to deceased church members, and then led a procession to Avedissian Hall for the traditional blessing of the “Madagh,” sponsored by Janette Vartazarian in the memory of her late husband Razmig, and prepared by the church ladies guild. The day’s events ended with the prelate’s closing prayer, and the singing of “Cilicia.”