The Diocese
Posted: 04/27/2017
On Monday evening, April 24, a sacred and solemn Liturgy of the Armenian Church was offered by Fr. Vazken Movsesian in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The worship service culminated a week full of outreach and educational programs that emphasized the importance of faith in action. While the rhetoric is heard about staying vigilant against injustice and not-staying-silent in the face of inequity, Fr. Vazken brought an empowering message of hope, that it’s more important to stop a Genocide than to commemorate a Genocide.
(Dr. Yvette Hovsepian Bearce presents the tie-of-shoes)
The homily that evening was offered by Dr. Yvette Hovsepian Bearce. In reflecting on the current refugee crisis throughout the world, Dr. Bearce drew lines and parallels with the Armenian Genocide. She challenged the congregation to walk “In the Shoes” of others.
(Dr. Silva Manoogian reads scriptural passage during the service)
During the week leading to April 24, many of the outreach programs were organized in reference to Armenians taking on responsibility to help others. In coordination with the Verdugo Family Promise, Yn. Susan Movsesian organized the feeding of homeless families. Volunteers from the Armenian Church community provided three solid meals a day, emphasizing that at one point we were homeless and hungry, today we payback by paying it forward. Other programs throughout the week included educational speech and presentations at local High Schools and Colleges.
The liturgy and worship service is part of a newly created outreach providing alternative English-language services to the Armenian Church community. By the order of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, special vesper services and weekly Bible studies are held every Monday evening beginning at 7:00PM sharp at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1020 N. Brand, Glendale. The public is invited to participate in these services.
More information and commentary are available at www.InHisShoes.org
