On Thursday, December 5, the second annual New Year and Christmas Luncheon-Boutique hosted by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at Brandview in Glendale.
His Eminence attended, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian. Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian was also in attendance, along with nearly 200 guests.
The event began with welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies and Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Vartoug Avedikian, who noted that the gathering of women was also in a way the conclusion of the Year of the Armenian Mother celebrations.
The Prelate greeted the guests and conveyed his well wishes to them, and through them to the community, on the threshold of the New Year and Christmas. He commended the Ladies Auxiliary for organizing this and similar events bringing together community members in an atmosphere filled with Armenian spirit. Reflecting on the spirit of the season, the Prelate stated that most of us have likely faced difficulties in our lives during the past year which we overcame by our faith, and so today, as we prepare to welcome the New Year and Christmas, we are reminded and invited to stay strong in our faith and lead our lives led by the spirit of love, hope, and charity throughout the year.
During lunch guests enjoyed musical entertainment by violinist Meroujan.
The Master of Ceremonies then announced two surprises. The first was that Santa Clause and the Winter Fairy, played by Lilia Margaryan, had arrived and would be performing. Ms. Margaryan presented a beautiful dance to Arno Babajanian’s “Elegy”, and Santa Clause, who had come from Armenia, conveyed his Christmas well wishes to the guests and spoke of preserving our treasured Armenian heritage. Both performance further added to the merriment already present within the hall.
The second announcement was a surprise performance by singer Arman. Guests joined in singing and dancing as he sang a few songs.
Throughout the event, inspired by the festive atmosphere donations were made by the guests.
At the conclusion of the official program, guests visited booths were vendors had displayed holiday gifts and sweets.
