On Thursday, February 27, 2014, the legacy of the Vartanants saints was honored at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena with Divine Liturgy presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of Prelacy clergy members.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon with the theme, “Father, those who sacrificed their bodies for You, became crucified for Your Son, Jesus Christ,” from the words of the Vartanants hymn. Fr. Boghos briefly went over the historical account of the battle from 451, stating that the heroes of Vartanants gave up their physical bodies for their faith in God, to receive spiritual crowns through their moral victory. Fr. Boghos urged the faithful to honor the memory and sacrifice of the Vartanants saints by following in their example and inspiration and defending our faith and identity from assimilation and secularism. Far away from our ancestral homelands, our church, preserved for centuries by the blood of St. Vartan, became a second homeland for us; in return, we must all become Vartans for our church, as the guardians of our faith, identity, and values, he concluded.
Prior to the sermon, hymns dedicated to Vartanants were sung by the clergy, and Divine Liturgy concluded with the signing of nationalistic songs specific to this feast.
After the service, the clergy were hosted to a reception by the parish Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild. Host parish pastor Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan welcomed the Prelate and his fellow clergymen. The Prelate commended the clergy as well as the parish pastor, Board members, and Ladies Guild.
