At the start of each year, a special prayer service and blessing of water is conducted at Glendale Memorial Hospital in celebration of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year’s service was held on the morning of Tuesday, January 5, 2016, Christmas Eve, conducted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian and St. Mary’s Church parish priests. The service was held in the hospital Main Lobby with the participation of President Jack Ivie, faculty, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Glendale Police and Fire Chiefs, and ARS representatives.
Mr. Jack Ivie welcomed the Prelate and thanked him for the annual service. The Prelate greeted the attendees and conveyed his New Year and Christmas blessings and well wishes to all. His Eminence explained why Armenians celebrate Christmas on January 6, and the meaning of the day’s two services, the Blessing of the Home and the Blessing of Water, and also spoke of the Holy Muron used in the water blessing service. The service followed. Mayor Ara Najarian served as Godfather of the Cross.
At the conclusion of the service the Prelate and clergy visited hospital rooms to offer healing prayers for the patients. The Prelate also blessed two newborn babies.
