Children Celebrating Christmas - Youth Blessing Day At The Western Diocese

At the Western Diocese, the month of December is dedicated to the children and the youth. To celebrate, the Jr. Godfathers Committee had invited the Cathedral's Junior Godfathers to take part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, December 6, 2015. The initiative aims to immerse the children in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church.  

With the Diocesan Primate presiding over the service, the day’s celebrant was Cathedral’s Pastor Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, who was assisted at the Holy Altar by the deacons of the Cathedral Parish. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian also participated in the service. 

During the service, the Primate called the children to approach the nave where they received Archbishop Hovnan Derderian's blessings. In his message to the youth the Primate said "You are the heirs of the ancestral Christian faith of your forefathers and are the future leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We are delighted by your presence, for it demonstrates your love and dedication for the sacred Christian values which we commonly hold in reverence."

The names of the newest Junior Godfathers including Alexander Anthony Asmar, Alexa Jane Asmar, Gregory Jonathan Nunn, Adelina Chldryan, Alec Harutyun Demir, Tigran Mousoian, David Mousoian, Nicole Mousoian, Martha Mary Sargsyan and Maneh Vart Markarian were also blessed by the Primate. 

Following the service, the children and the parents were invited to the Primate's office for a light reception. Archbishop Derderian thanked and commended the unwavering service of the Junior Godfathers Committee led by Mrs. Alice Chakrian. As a token of his appreciation, the Primate distributed small crosses to the youth for their participation in the Divine Liturgy and the subsequent ceremonial event.

The day concluded with a memorable group photo taken at the Turpanjian Plaza of the Western Diocese.