Celebrating the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale – Traditional Gathering of Homenetmen Scouts


On Thursday, February 13, 2013, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple (Dyarnentarach) was celebrated in Prelacy Churches with eve of the feast service, the blessing of the four corners of the world (Antasdan), and lighting of the bonfire.

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.  Former Prelate of the Aleppo Prelacy, H.E. Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, who is visiting the Prelacy, delivered the sermon.  Rev. Fathers Vazken Atmajian, Gomidas Torossian, Ardak Demirjian, Nareg Pehlivanian, Khoren Babochian, and Ghevont Kirazian. participated in the service.   Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and Vice-Chair Mr. George Chorbajian were in attendance, as were Homenetmen Regional Executive members, Scouting Council members, and scouts.

The ceremony began with evening service, followed by Dyarnentarach eve service during which the Prelate was led in a procession around the church blessing the faithful and specifically infants and children.

Reciting the following words of Simeon the elder, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:9-30), Archbishop Kataroyan conveyed the message of the feast, that our Lord Jesus Christ was taken to the temple for presentation as the eternal light Who would illuminate our spirits and as Christ Who would pave the path of light for sinners.

After the sermon the Prelate presided over the blessing of the four corners of the world service (Antasdan), after which His Eminence brought forth a lit candle from the altar, symbolizing Christ as our Light, from which faithful lit their candles to take home and spread the Light of Christ within their surroundings.  During this moment parents brought forth their children to present them to the altar in the example of Mary presenting Christ to the Temple.

At the conclusion of the service the Prelate and participating clergy headed to the courtyard for the lighting of the traditional bonfire during which nationalistic and traditional songs were sung.

It is a long-standing tradition for Homenetmen members to join the Prelate for a reception at Armenak Der Bedrossian Hall following Dyarnentarach services.

During the dinner Homenetmen scouts presented the Prelate with a hand-made gift of the knot of Solomon as a token of gratitude.  His Eminence presented prayer cards to all the guests.

Remarks were delivered by Homenetmen Regional Executive Chair Mr. Garnik Abrahamian, Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and scouting representatives.

The evening came to a close with the Prelate’s message.  His Eminence blessed and commended Homenetmen members for their devoted service, expressed appreciation for the continuation of tradition, and called on the scouts, the heirs of the faith of our forefathers, to radiate the light of Christ through their continued service to our church and nation.  The reception concluded with the benediction by the Prelate.

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