Prelate Presides over Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Memorial Garden at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County


On Sunday, January 3, 2016, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County. Following the service, His Eminence presided over the blessing and opening of the new Memorial Garden sponsored by Mr. Garbis Arslanyan in memory of his wife Maryam.

At the beginning of his sermon, the Prelate first gave thanks to God for the blessing of another year and greeted the parish community with wishes for a New Year filled with good health, love, happiness, and peace. His Eminence then spoke of the many messages and tidings of Christmas, including those of love, peace, goodwill toward one another, and also humility and service, noting that God came in the likeness of man and in the form of a servant to serve mankind. The Prelate tied in the Christmas message of humility and service with the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 22:24-30, in which the disciples argue about who is the greatest of them.

The Prelate expounded on the day’s reading, the message of which was that greatness comes from serving others, emphasizing that true joy, purpose, and fulfillment comes from giving and serving others and contributing to a positive change in our individual and collective life. His Eminence stated that His Holiness Aram I has proclaimed 2016 as the Year of Service, and expressed hope that the proclamation of our Pontiff will motivate and inspire us to give of ourselves in service to a greater good throughout the year, to serve for the progress of our churches, schools, and organizations, and for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Armenia, Artsakh, and Syria, with brotherly love, humility, and goodwill.

The Prelate commended the services of parish pastor Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian and all the servers and sponsors who contribute to the progress of the parish community, among them Mr. Garbis Arslanyan who dedicated the memorial garden as a beautiful tribute to his late wife Maryam. His Eminence urged for greater participation from all in the life of our church and nation and invited the faithful to take the start of the New Year as an opportunity to evaluate their lives and to consider how they can be better and do better than the previous year. He concluded by once again conveying his wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year.

Requiem service was held at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, followed by the service of the blessing of the Memorial Garden. The Prelate blessed the memory of Maryam Arslanyan and commended Mr. Garbis Arslanyan for his thoughtful gesture honoring his late wife.

A reception followed at “Gugasian” Hall.

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