Primate Celebrant At St. John Garabed Armenian Church In San Diego – Grants Orders Of Stole Bearer To Three Acolytes

Sunday, September 18, 2016, was a memorable day for the parishioners and friends of St. John Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of San Diego.  The family of the San Diego Parish received the blessings of H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese who was the day’s celebrant and homilist.

His Eminence was assisted at the Holy Altar by Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetian, Pastor of the host parish and the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, the newest priest at the Western Diocese. Dcn. Jirayr Chadergian, Dcn. Yerevan Ohannesian, Sub Deacon Levon Parsegov, and Acolytes Kail, Karse, and Kyan Klijian also served at the Holy Altar. At the recommendation of Fr. Nerses, Kail, Karse, and Kyan Klijian were granted the order of stole-bearer by Archbishop Derderian.  To the sheer delight of the parishioners, the sanctuary was filled by the gracious presence of Sunday School students and teachers who were warmly welcomed and acknowledged by the spiritual leader of the Western Diocese.  

In his homily, the Primate addressed the Sunday and Saturday School students. Archbishop Derderian reflected on the words of Christ (Mark 10:13-16) as our Lord greeted the children.

“As children of the world’s oldest Christian nation, it is your duty to love, trust and obey God. You must become exemplary Christians in your communities. Attend Sunday School to nourish your spirituality. Attend Saturday School to learn the Armenian language, appreciate the Armenian culture and cherish the sacred traditions of our people,” said Archbishop Derderian in part.

A joyous reception, organized by the Ladies Society, followed the service in the Church Hall.  The Primate delivered a heartfelt speech about the importance of the young generation, the future of our Church.  “The children sanctify our words of prayers with their immaculate hearts and blessed mouth.  Their every prayer ascends to heavens like a sacrifice of incense and hovers to join the angelic glorification,” he said.  The Primate also called upon the parents to teach their children the importance of prayer in their daily lives as an indivisible part of their upbringing and spiritual discipline. In his remarks, the Primate commended the pastoral leadership of Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and the collective service of all auxiliary bodies of the Parish.