On Sunday, January 24, 2016, the parish community of St. Sarkis Church of Pasadena celebrated the name-day of their church with Episcopal Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who also delivered the sermon and conducted the blessing of madagh on this occasion. His Eminence was assisted at the altar by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian and Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian.
Prior to the sermon, the Prelate greeted the two new clergy members, who will soon begin their new assignments in Fresno and San Francisco. He greeted the parish community and faithful in attendance, among them Executive Council member Mrs. Therese Kemanjian, church benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian and family, and hall benefactors the Andonian family, and congratulated them all on the name day celebration of their church.
His Eminence centered his sermon on the inspirational life and faith of St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their fourteen soldiers who were all martyred for their faith. St. Sarkis was a brave and respected commanded in his time, but also a devout and fearless Christian whose loyalty lay with our Lord, said the Prelate. As such, even with the threat of death, he refused to renounce his faith and indeed courageously went to his death knowingly, and became a martyr for the faith and one of our most loved saints. Today, St. Sarkis continues to remain for us all an ideal example of faith and service, to whom we should look to for inspiration and as an intercessor for the fulfillment of our prayers and the alleviation of our troubles, concluded the Prelate.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, requiem service was held, during which prayers were offered in memory of the first parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Antreassian, the benefactor’s parents, departed Board of Trustees members, Delegates, Ladies Guild members, and all who have served the parish and community. The Prelate then conducted the blessing of madagh. With the consecrated cross reliquary containing the relics of our martyrs in hand, the Prelate blessed the faithful and delivered the benediction.
On behalf of the parish family, parish pastor Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan thanked the Prelate for presiding over the name day celebration each year and for his leadership and guidance.
The service came to a close with Cilicia and the Pontifical anthem.
The annual celebratory luncheon organized by the parish Ladies Guild followed at “Andon Andonian” Hall presided over by the Prelate. Remarks were delivered by the parish pastor, Very Rev. Fathers Dajad Ashekian and Barouyr Shernezian, Mr. Sarkis Kitsinian and members of the Kitsinian family. The granddaughter of Mr. and Mr. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian, Lori, surprised the guests with a poem dedicated to the feast of Vartanants. The Prelate delivered the closing message, in which he once again commended all who serve for the progress of the parish with love and dedication, and especially the Ladies Guild for their hard work in preparing the madagh, and urged them to continue their service with faith, humility, and goodness.
The celebration of St. Sarkis began on Friday with the blessing of salt for the madagh. On Saturday evening, a special service was held in commemoration of the eve of the Feast.
