Women'S Prayer Day 2017

Sponsored by the Ladies Society Central Council, the annual Women’s Prayer Day was held on March 1, 2017 at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Diocesan Primate. Over 200 participants from Southern California gathered at the spiritual center of the Diocese, joining deacons and clergy in unison prayer. 

The event commenced with a Morning Prayer Service “Jamerkoutioun,” which was followed by welcoming remarks by LSCC Chairlady Lena Simonian who reiterated this years’ theme “The Year of Stewardship” as proclaimed by the Primate.

With this in mind, she called upon women to envision a significant exemplary shift in the ways women serve in local parishes and the Western Diocese at large. To leave behind a lasting legacy for the coming generations, the Chairlady encouraged the women to initiate projects of lasting values, to be agents of change in our communities, to seek God’s wisdom, to become stewards by investing time, energy and resources in humanitarian programs, community needs, charitable initiatives and education.  

The day’s homilist was Mr.  Mashdots Jobanian, the Director of Religious Education Department of the Western Diocese whose message called upon all to wear the armor of God and to become His warriors, the achievement of which requires discipline, commitment, and love.

In his remarks, the Primate commended the dedication of the Ladies Society Central Council under the steadfast leadership of Mrs. Lena Simonian, noting their zealous Christian spirit as it pertains to the crucial role of women in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Click here to read the Primate's message. 

At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Derderian honored thirteen Armenian caregivers and nurses from southern California hospitals and senior homes. He commended them for their compassionate service, calling them stewards of the elderly and the sick. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to all honorees. As a token of their gratitude, the LSCC members presented them with gold Ladies Society pins.   

The event concluded with a Lenten luncheon at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall with a program including a slide show presentation from Women’s Shelter in Armenia and musical entertainment.