Annual Blessing Of The Water Service At Glendale Adventist Medical Center

For most Americans, the holidays conclude with the ringing in of the New Year. However, for Armenian-Americans the start of the New Year is a time of spiritual preparation for the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Christ. For years, the Diocesan Primate and clergy have been bringing the Good News to local hospitals and this year was no exception.

Dozens including hospital staff, local officials, members of law enforcement and patients, gathered in the west lobby of Glendale Adventist Medical Center on Friday, January 5, 2018 as Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America performed the Blessing of the Water Service. Archbishop Derderian was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian and the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian.  

Members of the Glendale City Council including Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, Councilmembers Paula Devine and Vrej Agajanian were present at the service.

In the Armenian tradition, the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the “Blessing of the Water” service.