The Diocese
Posted: 03/26/2021
Sunday, March 21, 2021, will forever be remembered as a day of great spiritual joy in the life of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena.
On that day, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Mexico celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered a spiritually uplifting homily to the faithful.
The day marked the Sunday of the Advent of the Great Lent. On the day prior, the Armenian Apostolic Church observed the Commitment of St. Gregory the Illuminator to the Pit, which is also the Name Day of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena. Archbishop Derderian also consecrated two murals inside the sanctuary, one depicting the Victorious Resurrection of Christ, our Lord and the other, a large-scale mosaic, located at the entrance of the Church.
The expenses of both works of art, which were donated by Mr. Harout Ayvazian, and the establishment of the endowment fund totaled a grandiose $300,000.
The celebration of the Divine Liturgy commenced at 10:30 a.m. Assisting the Diocesan Primate at the Holy Altar were the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian and the Rev. Fr. Gevorg Abyan. The choir was directed by Maestro Barthev Gulumian, with organist Gyuregh Mankerian and the choir members outstandingly performing the divine hymns (sharagans) of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
Following the distribution of the Holy Communion and the subsequent Requiem Service, the Diocesan Primate delivered his sermon to the faithful, referencing to the importance of the Sunday of the Advent, and the observance of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Commitment to the Pit. Archbishop Derderian congratulated the Parish Priest, commending his unwavering pastoral service and dedication to the flock of Christ and conveyed words of appreciation to the Parish Council and all auxiliary bodies of the parish for their loyalty to preserving the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the sacred traditions of the Armenian Church.
At the conclusion of the service, a processional was led by the Primate to the Geragos Hall where a reception was organized by the Parish Council.
In his closing remarks, the Diocesan Primate reflected on the tremendous role of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena in not only cultivating but equally preserving the Armenian Christian identity. “With the Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena is the only church of its kind in the Western Diocese with an Armenian Day School, in addition to all auxiliary bodies of the church which allow it thrive and prosper,” said Archbishop Derderian. “Our wholehearted gratitude to Fr. Vazken Movsesian for his dedication as celebrant and homilist in Fr. Sarkis Petoyan’s absence. We congratulate and commend Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan and all parishioners on the occasion of a new chapter that opens before St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena and express our wholehearted gratitude to church benefactor Mr. Harout Ayvazian and family for the big-hearted donation,” His Eminence added.
The festivities concluded with a closing prayer.
