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 4, 2016. 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 the 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.

Esteemed guests of the Diocesan family Dr. Thomas Lee, Director of the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with his family and Ms. Rita Terterian, Assistant Vice President of Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles were present and recognized during the service.

During the service, the celebrant priest 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 name plaques of the newest Junior Godfathers including Anthony C. Sarkissian, Lucine A. Skenderian, Ani Shahbazyan, Angelina Armeni, Maral Hanna Oruncakciel and Vahan Bedros Oruncakciel were also blessed by the Primate. Addressing the newest members of the Junior Godfather family the Primate said “By making you a Junior Godfather of our Diocesan Cathedral, your family has handed you a historic gift, which you should cherish forever. It is an honor and a privilege to have your name included along with the names of your fellow Junior Godfathers. As a Junior Godfather, you have become the representative of your family name, your Christian faith and your culture.”  The Sunday School Children of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral under the direction of Superintendent Mr. Vahe Sargsyan also took part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and received Holy Communion.

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.