The Diocese
Posted: 06/17/2016
St. Mary Parishioners had a Spiritual and joyful time during the 24th Anniversary of Consecration of St. Mary Church which was celebrated on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
The day’s celebrant and homilist was H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church who extended episcopal blessings to the family of St. Mary Armenian Church. H.E. During the service, the Primate granted four minor orders of acolyte to Hovan Kuftedjian, Daniel Hovanesian, Kyan Ara Klijian, Hagop Aslanian and Gevorg Yegyan. The following altar servers including Vahan Vorperian, Mihran Markarian and Aaron Karatas were grated the degree of stole-bearer.
Archbishop Derderian also performed the blessing of the veils of Sophia Kuftedjian, Ani Martirosian and Alina Yeghyan, Sunday School candidates and blessed the newly elected parish council members of the host parish.
An Agape Meal (SIRO SEGHAN) and a cultural program organized by the Hovsepian Choir followed the Church Services. Dr. Archie Andonian served as the Master of Ceremonies. In recognition of their dedicated and selfless service rendered to St. Mary Armenian Church, parishioners Dn. Hirant Rakijian, Mrs. Hilda Sakarya, Haig Tashjian, Elisa Guirgis and Haroutiun Kuyumcuyan were honored by the Primate with the Diocesan Hye Spirit medal. His Eminence congratulated the honorees exhorting them to serve with a renewed sense of commitment and zeal.
