On Sunday, January 12, 2020, the “Year of Armenians with Special Needs” Pontifical message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was read during Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Antelias as well as in our Prelacy Churches.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy at the Crescenta Valley Church, read the Pontifical message and called on our faithful to lend their support to those with special needs.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. Among the faithful in attendance were Executive Council Vice-Chair Meher Der Ohanessian and his wife, members of the parish family and of community organizations, and children with special needs along with their parents.
During the service, as the choir sang the hymn “Oorakh Ler,” Fr. Ghevont presented the Pontifical message to the Prelate. His Eminence first greeted the parish family and conveyed his New Year and Christmas well wishes to all. He noted that this year’s Prelacy wall calendar is dedicated to the proclamation of His Holiness and on the front cover is displayed the passage from Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” an invitation to receive the Lord, to trust in Him and live according to His will so that we may find spiritual peace and rest.
Referencing the Pontifical message, the Prelate emphasized that we are to care for our compatriots with special needs without discrimination, as they are an inseparable part of our society with equal rights and obligations. He blessed the children with special needs and their parents in attendance, the Sunday School students, and all the faithful, and concluded with the healing prayer with which the Pontifical message closes.
Prior to “Der Voghormya,” on behalf of the parish family, Fr. Ghevont greeted the Prelate and invited the faithful to pray for God to grant His Eminence many more healthy years and continued service to our Prelacy for the glory of God and the advancement of our Church.
Divine Liturgy concluded with the singing of “Great and Marvelous Mystery” announcing the Birth and Revelation of Christ.
