On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood on the occasion of the feast of St. Stephen the proto-deacon. He was joined by H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and clergy members. Deacons from Prelacy Southern California parishes participated in the service.
The Prelate began his sermon – which focused on the meaning of the feast and the piety of St. Stephen – by giving thanks and praise to our Lord “under Whose paternal care we have gathered today to stand before this holy altar and take in the light of Christ, the Prince of Light.” The Prelate noted that “all of us who participate in the Divine Liturgy – whether as candle-holders, flabellum-bearers, incense-bearers, choir members, or clergy – receive physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional strength from above in order to connect with Christ through the sacred ceremony and become strengthened to continue our service for the glory of the Holy Trinity, the advancement of the Armenian Apostolic Mother Church, and the illumination of our dear people.
The Prelate encouraged the deacons to always be mindful of their calling and the significance of their service and, extolling the virtue of St. Stephen, invited the deacons to be filled with divine wisdom and with the Holy Spirit in the example of St. Stephen so that their lives may be enriched with heavenly blessings and graces. “Having grace means knowing how to serve, to readily devote our lives and deeds to the House of God and collectively work and serve for the continued prosperity of the Lord’s Temple,” stated the Prelate.
A dinner followed at “Karapetian” Hall, bringing together the Prelate, clergy, and deacons for an evening of Christian brotherhood.
