In observance of the feast of the Holy Translators, on Sunday, October 13, 2019, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and ordained acolytes at the Crescenta Valley Church. He was assisted at the altar by Very Rev. Fr. Smpad Saboundjian and Very Rev. Fr. Ashod Khachadourian, who were recently appointed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to serve within the Western Prelacy.
By the ordinance of His Eminence, on the same day “Der Voghormya” prayers were offered in all Prelacy Churches for the casualties in northern Syria following the Turkish invasion of the region, as well as for those affected by the Saddleridge fire in Los Angeles.
His Eminence conducted the ordination ceremony prior to the sermon, assisted by Parish Pastor, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. He elevated four longtime servants of the parish to the rank of acolyte, Mesrob Tashjian, Levon Kevorkian, Razmig Boghossian, and Ara Boghossian, as well as Aram Papoukhian from St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. Ara Boghossian was also bestowed the privilege of bearing a stole. Afterward, the Prelate congratulated the new acolytes and stole-bearer, urging them to continue their service with renewed faith and sense of responsibility.
He introduced the two members of the Cilician Brotherhood who are joining in the Prelacy’s mission, and then delivered his sermon on the legacy of the Holy Translators.
“Under the guidance of Catholicos Sahag Barthev and the diligence of St. Mesrob Mashdots, the holy translators contributed all that they had to our nation’s treasury; they made the most of their God-given spiritual and worldly knowledge and acumen to immortalize our national identity. Catholicos Sahag Barthev is regarded the illuminator of our minds, because together with St. Mesrob Mashdots and their collective vision and diligence, he brought enlightenment to the people’s minds and transformed us into Armenian Christians. Through faith and prayer the doors of divine knowledge were opened to them so that we too may receive and be fulfilled by that heavenly and spiritual wisdom,” stated the Prelate, and posing the question as to where we are now in relation to their greatness, knowledge, and wisdom, noted that each and every Armenian Christian is in need of daily enlightenment and inspiration by the example of the holy translators and must continue their legacy by upholding our language and heritage.
The service came to a close with Cilicia.
