On Sunday, October 7, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The day’s Scripture reading was from the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:5, which says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” The Prelate expounded on this verse and invited the faithful to introspect and examine whether they are living Christ’s commandments daily and not the teachings of others, and urged them to live in the faith of our forefathers, enriched with the light of Christ, which the Apostles brought to our Armenian nation.
A special ceremony followed the service. Church Pastors, Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, Board of Trustees members, Ladies Auxiliary members, Sunday School students, Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapter scouts, and faithful, gathered in the Church courtyard where the Prelate presided over the raising of the American, Armenian, and California flags on newly erected flagpoles sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hovik and Seda Aghaian in memory of their parents Yesai and Palig Aghaian.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian welcomed the attendees and thanked the sponsors for their generosity in sponsoring the new flagpoles.
The Prelate then blessed the flags, after which Homenetmen scouts raised them on the flagpoles. The singing of the American and Armenian national anthems by Sunday School students accompanied the ceremony.
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian delivered his remarks on this occasion, after which Sunday School students sang the Lord’s Prayer.
The ceremony came to a close with the Prelate’s closing remarks and benediction. His Eminence in his turn thanked all the benefactors who help the Prelacy flourish and commended especially the Aghaian and Galstyan families for their geneoristy to the Prelacy and St. Marys’ Church.
A reception hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary followed.