On Sunday, February 27, 2022, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, presided over the Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County.
Parish pastor Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian and former pastor Archpriest Fr. Hrant Yeretsian participated in the ceremony. The Prelate consecrated the icon of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and blessed the wooden book-stands (Kragal) in the church. Afterwards, a special requiem prayers were offered for the souls of departed ARS members,
The Prelate addressed his message as follows.-
a. On the occasion of the Carnival Feast (Poon Paregentan), the Prelate stated; “In our lives we seek paradise, but the truth called paradise radiates through Jesus. Today, the heavenly life is given to human beings only through Jesus Christ.”
b. During the Great Lent, Bishop Donoyan stressed; “During Great Lent, we are all invited to renew and strengthen our faith and move away from sin, so that we can meet the dawn of the Resurrection through the light of Jesus Christ.”
c. During consecration ceremony of the icon, he noted: “Let this icon be a blessed presence in the lives of the faithful. We beseeched God by asking that through this image, the Lord grant us all the heavenly blessings, protect us from all kinds of pain, sin and addiction.”
d. For the requiem service, the Prelate added; “we commend the Armenian Relief Society’s multifaceted service and lifetime labor for the welfare of our nation. We wish rest to the souls of the departed ARS members, and strength and ability to all members of this great Armenian women’s organization.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful approached the icon in reverence and received blessings. Thereafter, all those present attended the luncheon which was hosted and prepared by the Forty Martyrs Church Ladies Guild.
