On Friday, December 22, 2017, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over a Christmas concert at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena presented by the church choir and conducted by Choirmaster Yervant Keshishian. The concert was organized by the parish Pastor and Board of Trustees. His Eminence was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General.
On behalf of the parish family, Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan, Parish Pastor, delivered welcoming remarks and wished all a blessed New Year and merry Christmas.
The program featured group and solo performances of Armenian hymns and Christmas carols in Armenian and various other languages.
The Prelate delivered his message at the end of the program. His Eminence blessed and commended the parish family and in particular the choir and choirmaster Deacon Yervant Keshishian for their collective effort and dedication and heartfelt and soulful performance. The Prelate commended the initiative of the concert, stating that it created an atmosphere where we were able to relive in our hearts the Birth of our Lord and took us away from our daily concerns. His Eminence prayed for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to inspire peace in the world, in our family and community life, and in our spiritual life, invited all to praise and thank God all the days of the New Year for His plentiful gifts and blessings, and conveyed his best wishes for a blessed year and a merry Christmas.
Next, on behalf of the parish family, Fr. Boghos presented a plaque to Mr. Zaven Boyamian for over 30 years of service as a choir member. The Prelate blessed and commended Mr. Boyamian for his decades of service to the church, from Lebanon to the U.S.
The program concluded with “Cilicia” and the benediction by the clergy. A reception followed.
