St. Leon Armenian Cathedral Hosts 6Th Annual Ecumenical Service: American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Honored

Established three months after the consecration of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, the Cathedral’s annual ecumenical service keeps the spirit of ecumenism alive by bringing together priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church, clergy of Sister Churches and ecumenical leaders in prayer and fellowship. The sixth annual ecumenical service was held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 and was dedicated to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region (ARCLAR). Members of the ARCLAR Board of Trustees as well as ARCLAR chapters under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles region participated in the service.

Following an entrance procession by the clergy and faith representatives, the prayer service commenced at 7 p.m. with the welcoming remarks delivered by the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Right Rev. Smith, then invited the religious leaders to prayer.

Prayers were offered by Diocesan clergyman the Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and Deacon Artak Khachikyan; the Rev. Berdj Djambazian and Rev. Ron Tovmassian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; the Most Rev. Mikael Mouradian, Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States and Canada; the Rev. Linda Culbertson, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of the Pacific and Rev. Sally Welch of the Disciples of Christ Church; Rev. Kenny Bowen and Rev. Dr. Ray Kibler III, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; the Very Rev. Fr. John Bakas, Dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral; His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Damascus who offered a special prayer for the soul of Mr. Levon Paronyan; Bishop Mary Glasspool, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles;  Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, Former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches and the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The hymns of the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church were performed by the Choir of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Beautiful choral renditions were also performed by With Faith and Hope Duet soprano Arpy Aintablian and tenor Raffi Kerbabian who were accompanied on the piano by Sirarpi Zirekyants.

Along with the prayer service book, the clergy and guests received an informative document outlining the history of the Red Cross and the organization's invaluable role in the life of the Armenian nation. The document was prepared by Asia Darbinian of the Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan, Armenia. 

The evening's keynote speaker was Mr. Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region (ARCLAR), who was introduced by Joseph Kanimian, Esq., member of the ARCLAR Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Diocesan Council. Mr. Kanimian shared with the congregation Mr. Barrios' resolute leadership as it pertains to community outreach. Mr. Joseph Kanimian, Esq., who has served for the last nine years on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region (ARCLAR), was re-elected to serve on the Board of ARCLAR for another three-year term during the organization's 99th annual meeting held at the California Endowment in Los Angeles on June 19, 2015. 

In his remarks, Mr. Barrios thanked the Diocesan Primate for the warm welcome and for the tremendous honor. The ARCLAR CEO informed the congregation about the history of the Red Cross and its mission. Mr. Barrios also noted the important role of all religious institutions in community outreach and disaster relief. 

Below is the Primate's closing message in its entirety.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Honorable members of the Interfaith community,
Distinguished Board members of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region,
and beloved faithful,

Tonight's prayer is dedicated to a most notable organization the American Red Cross, which has been and continues to be a blessing for the people of God. And the main reason the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church wished to honor the American Red Cross is to recognize the immense generosity of the organization be it in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. This year the Armenian people globally commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. We revere the tremendous humanitarian support of the many institutions amongst which the American Red Cross is one of the most distinguished, for since the inception of the Red Cross, be it in the West and the United States, the Red Cross has been the first international organization since the mid 19th century to reach out to the orphans of the Genocide. In a document which has been distributed to you along with the prayer service, we have informed and enlightened you about the immense mission realized by the Red Cross. Thus on behalf of our people, the Western Diocese proudly recognizes the American Red Cross for the support extended to the Armenian nation. The facts clearly indicate the extent of the humanitarian aid provided to the people of Armenia. 

Tonight, we uplift our hearts and pray for the departed souls of the founders of the American Red Cross and for all those who through the legacy entrusted to you have taken the lead to bring love to all those who have been stricken by disaster.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church is proud to announce that we consider ourselves partners in the mission of the American Red Cross in encouraging the faithful to give generously to the God-pleasing mission you have accomplished. We are thankful for the American Red Cross in guiding and teaching generations to give with love and compassion. Therefore, in recognition of your immense deeds, we present to you an Armenian Cross stone which will be mounted on the exterior wall of the Cathedral. May it stand as a symbol of our gratitude to the American Red Cross. 

Today, you witness the resurrection of a nation which has cherished your love and compassion. In response, we renew our commitment to support the American Red Cross in honor of the victims and orphans of the Genocide. Hundred years ago, the American Red Cross, as a beacon of light for our forefathers instilled a sense of hope within their hearts. One hundred years later, we their descendants recognize the noble mission accomplished by the unique organization – the American Red Cross.

In recognition of the invaluable humanitarian service rendered, the Primate consecrated a tufa cross-stone, dedicating it in honor of the American Red Cross. The Primate also presented a special certificate of blessing and commendation to Mr. Barrios.

Following the service, the clergy and faithful were treated to a light reception at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall organized by the Good Samaritans of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

About the American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. Its mission is to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The Los Angeles chapter is one of more than 750 American Red Cross chapters nationwide helping fulfill this mission.  It is the second largest chapter in the nation and serves a population of more than 10 million people in Los Angeles County (an area of 1,600 square miles), in 88 cities within Los Angeles County. 

Southland cities served by the Chapter are: Agoura Hills, Bell, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, City of Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Pacific Palisades, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, South Gate, Torrance, Vernon, West Hollywood and Westlake Village.