Divine Liturgy On The Feast Of Sts. Ghevontiants: The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian Honored

It has been an honorable tradition at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America to remember and pay homage to the Ghevontiantz martyred saints with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the day of the Feast. 

With the participation of the Diocesan clergy, at 6:30 p.m. the day's celebrant at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral was the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian. The service was even more meaningful for the merited vartabed as it coincided with the 45th anniversary of his ordination into the sacred order of the priesthood.

On the auspicious occasion and at the request of the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Father Dajad was honored by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians with a Pontifical Encyclical and a "St. Sahag and St. Mesrop." The prestigious medal was conferred upon the clergyman in recognition of his dedicated pastoral service, scholarly research and valuable contributions in the literary sphere. 

The Pontifical encyclical of His Holiness was brought to the Holy Altar by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Cathedral's Pastor, who read it from the Holy Altar.

Addressing the dzayrakouyn vartabed, His Holiness conveyed his pontifical blessings and stated "In recognition of your selfless service rendered to the Armenian Apostolic Church and at the request of the Diocesan Primate, we hereby confer upon you the prestigious 'St. Sahag and St. Mesrop' medal."

In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian congratulated Father Yardemian on behalf of the Diocesan Council, his fellow Brothers in Christ and the faithful, noting the medal recipient's contributions in the ecclesiastical, cultural and literary spheres. The Diocesan Primate also expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for acting upon his request to honor the respected clergyman.

In turn, Father Yardemian conveyed his heartfelt wishes to His Holiness for the honor bestowed upon him and to the Primate for his recommendation. In his homily, Father Dajad reflected on the rich legacy of the Ghevontiants martyrs. "The martyred priests remained loyal to the Christian faith and the Armenian Apostolic Church. We are the heirs of their undying spirit," stated Father Yardemian in part.

A reception was held in honor of the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian following the service where the clergy and faithful congratulated and were photographed with the honoree.