The Patriarchal Vicar Of The Armenian Patriarchate Of Turkey Celebrant At St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey was the guest celebrant at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, January 24, 2016. At the Holy Altar, Archbishop Ateshyan was assisted by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and guest clergyman Archpriest Fr. Hrant Yeretzian as well as the deacons of the Cathedral Parish and Dn. Allan Yeghia Jendian from St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno. The Khachadourian Choir under the directorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian performed the liturgical hymns.  Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Archbishop Sebuh Chuljyan, Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian and the Rev. Fr. Mikayel Kyureghyan participated in the service which was presided by the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.  Among the dignitaries in attendance were His Excellency Valery Mkrtumyan, the Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia and Consulate General Advisor Razmik Martirosyan. The homilist bishop's sermon was based on the Gospel according to St. John, the Evangelist “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (6:29). "A devout Christian, adhering to the Word of God, must follow in the footsteps of Christ. Our Lord and Savior is the source of an everlasting life, for He said I am the bread of life. To lead a Christ-oriented life is to be transformed within and inspire those around us" stated Archbishop Ateshyan. During the service, Archbishop Ateshyan honored Mr. Saro Marukian in recognition of his leadership and contribution in the complete renovation of the Patriarchate building which was severely damaged during the earthquake on August 17, 1999. Approaching the nave with his spouse, Mr. Marukian was awarded the Medal of Honor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey by the Patriarchal Vicar. Archbishop Ateshyan's Certificate of Blessing and Commendation addressed to the honoree was read by Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan. At the conclusion of the service, a Requiem Service was held for the soul of His Beatitude Archbishop Shnork Kaloustian, the 82nd Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople (1963 – 1990).