On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, hundreds of faithful gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale for a special service on the eve of the feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, with the participation of clergy members. The ceremony featured special hymns and Gospel readings for the occasion, blessing of the four corners of the world (antasdan), and presentation of children before the altar in the example of Joseph and Mary presenting Jesus to the temple forty days after His birth.
Among those in attendance were Executive Council Chair Garo Eshgian and member George Chorbajian, Homenetmen Regional Executive and Scouting Council members, scouts, and representatives of community organizations.
Prior to delivering his message the Prelate greeted the faithful and the scouts in particular, joyfully noting that Homenetmen has been participating in the service every year for over twenty years, and called on them to always remain faithful to God and our church.
The core message of the Prelate’s sermon was faithfulness and obedience in the example of Joseph and Mary, and prudence, vigilance, and patience in the example of Simeon the Elder and Anna the Prophetess. His Eminence underscored Joseph and Mary’s faithfulness and obedience to God from the time of the annunciation on, and the virtues possessed by Simeon the Elder and Anna the Prophetess which led them to be worthy of seeing the Lord, highlighted the importance of following their example and dedicating ourselves to God and to our religious and national mission with faith and goodness.
At the conclusion of the service, clergy and faithful gathered in the courtyard where the bonfire was ignited from a candle lit from the altar representing the Light of Christ coming into the world. Candles in hand around the fire, faithful participated in the singing of nationalistic songs, concluding with “Cilicia,” the Armenian national anthem, and Homenetmen anthem.
GATHERING WITH HOMENETMEN
The annual dinner gathering with Homenetmen scouts hosted by the Church Board of Trustees followed at “Armenak Der Bedrossian” Hall. Remarks were delivered by Executive Council member George Chorbajian, Board of Trustees Chair Ruben Gourjian, and Homenetmen Regional Executive member Nora Tchaparian. The Prelate conveyed his blessings and commendation to the scouts, once again urged them to stay true to our national identity, faith, and traditions, and gifted prayer books to all.