Each year the eighth grade class of Rose and Alex Pilibos School visits the Prelacy to receive the blessings and hear the message of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, prior to embarking on their class trip to Washington D.C. This year’s visit was held on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
The fifty-five students, accompanied by Armenian teachers Mr. Kevork Sarkissian, Mrs. Sona Madarian, and Mrs. Anahid Nersessian, were greeted by the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, and Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian at the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel, where a brief prayer service was held.
The visit continued at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall, where the students presented a cultural program dedicated to the centennial of the first Republic of Armenia. In her remarks on behalf of her classmates, Satig Seraydarian spoke of the reason for their visit as well as on the centennial anniversary, affirming the allegiance of her and her peers to our nation and their commitment to continuing the legacy of our forefathers by serving for the advancement of our church and nation. Ani Tovmassian, serving as the MC, one by one invited her classmates to present their recitations, songs, and musical pieces. Following the performances, Mrs. Madarian stated that the students have been enthusiastically preparing for the visit for the past two weeks and that their presentations reflect their everyday nationalistic sentiments.
The Prelate expressed joy and pride at the students’ visit and performances, and greeted and blessed the administration and faculty. Addressing the students directly, His Eminence spoke to them about the special religious and national instruction they receive at our schools, which he said will arm them against negative outside influences, and commended their promise to renew and reaffirm their allegiance to our heritage, stating that those who fought for independence were also guided by the legacy of their forefathers. As for their forthcoming trip to Washington D.C., the Prelate noted that there they will see firsthand how this nation is governed by law and order and exhorted them to always respect laws and regulations, inside of school and outside, and one day become our worthy leaders. He invited them to attend church on Palm Sunday during their trip, and upon their return to enrich their spirits by attending Holy Week and Easter services and renewing their allegiance to our church, school, nation, and families.
The Prelate delivered the benediction and the program concluded with the collective singing of Cilicia and the Armenian national anthem. The students received a tour of the Prelacy and copies of “The Word of God” prayer book.
