On Sunday, April 3, 2016, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the North Hollywood parish on the occasion of the second Sunday of Eastertide, called New Sunday or Second Easter. Parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian and deacons assisted at the altar.
Prior to his sermon, the Prelate greeted the parish community and conveyed his Easter blessings and tidings to all, noting that New Sunday is yet another opportunity for spiritual renewal by the spirit of the Resurrection. His Eminence also reflected on the attack on Artsakh by Azeri forces and invited the faithful to pray for the souls of the fallen and for the safety of all the citizens.
The Prelate then delivered his sermon on the message of New Sunday, inspired by the day’s Gospel reading from John 1:1-17, stating that it is a day for Christians to once again joyfully proclaim the triumph of the Resurrection and to renew our spirits by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over death and evil. God so loved the world that He took on the form of man to die for the remission of our sins and to make us worthy of His grace and truth, said the Prelate. Armed by the power of His Resurrection let us work to overcome transgressions, individually and collectively, and let us adopt a new path of life in the example of the Apostles, concluded His Eminence.
Later in the service “Der Voghormya” prayers were offered for the casualties in Artsakh and for peace in the region and in the world. By the ordinance of His Holiness Aram I, at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, requiem prayers were offered for the souls of the fallen. The service concluded with the singing of Easter hymn “Christ rose from the dead” and “Cilicia.” A reception hosted by the Board of Trustees followed. On behalf of the parish family, Fr. Nareg thanked His Eminence for joining them each year on New Sunday. The Prelate commended the service of the Pastor, Board, and Ladies Guild, and once again conveyed his blessings and well wishes to all, urging them to continue their dedicated service with renewed spirits.
