On the morning of Friday, February 10, 2012, Ferrahian School tenth grade students visited the Prelacy, accompanied by teachers Ara Kazanjian and Rafi Hagopian.
Upon their arrival the students were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Christian Education Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Crescenta Valley Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian, and escorted to the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel for a prayer service. The Prelate welcomed the students to the Prelacy, conveyed his message to them, and concluded by blessing each of the students.
The students were then given a tour of the Prelacy building and information on the endeavors of each department, and each was presented with a prayer book published by the Prelacy.
They then gathered at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall where a brief program took place.
On behalf of his classmates, student Haig Terterian expressed thanks and gratitude for the visit and reflected on two years ago when the students first visited the Prelacy as 8th graders.
Fr. Ghevont then spoke to the students about the meaning and message of the Feast of Vartanants, and the sacrifice and martyrdom of our Vartanants and Ghevontiants heroes. He noted that the battle at Avarayr in 451 was the beginning of the struggle for our faith and nation, which culminated in victory in 484 with the signing of the Treaty of Nvarsag. Fr. Ghevont highlighted that the undying spirit of the Armenian people to fight in defense of our identity remained and remains alive, and was again powerfully expressed during the battle of Sardarabad and recently during the Artsakh struggle. He urged that our students and youth be inspired and enriched by that spirit, and fight to preserve and uphold our faith and heritage.
In his message, the Prelate expressed joy at the students’ return visit on the eve of Vartanants to the Prelacy, the center of our religious and cultural lives. His Eminence spoke of the timeless message of Vartanants, emphasizing how Vartan Mamigonian and his companions resigned their peaceful lives and the promises made by the Persian king, choosing instead to fight and even sacrifice their lives in defense of our identity and Christian faith. Their struggle was the greatest expression of their allegiance to our faith and nation and self sacrifice for the greater good of the collective, stated the Prelate. We too must follow the example of our Sts. Vartanank and think beyond our individual needs and wants. Even though today’s world often leads us away from this mode of thinking, let the spirit and sacrifice of our heroes be a constant reminder that our nation and our people has endured and endures through this spirit. In conclusion, the Prelate urged the students to be renewed with the spirit of our heroes, and pledge to follow their path as they celebrate Vartanants in the coming week.
The Prelate and Fr. Muron then led the students in the reading of some prayers from their new prayer books, and the students vowed to lead their lives with the guidance of those prayers.
The visit concluded with the Cilician and Armenian national anthems.
