On Sunday, September 11, 2022, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated Divine Liturgy and blessed the water by the newly anointed Holy Muron at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello. The altar was served by the Dean of Holy Cross Cathedral, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and the Dean of St. Mary’s Armenian Church of Glendale, Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian. In attendance were H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, members of the Executive Council, Central Executive Council, delegates, donors and faithful.
The Prelate delivered his sermon, in which he focused on four main points:
1. The centennial jubilee of Holy Cross Cathedral is a spiritual and pivotal occasion for the renewal of faith for our people. As a result of the Armenian Genocide, many Armenians arrived in America and established their center of faith, and in this case, it was the construction of Holy Cross Church, thereafter the Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
2. The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia has been providing selfless service to our nation for 65 years in the United States, and for 50 years, the Western Prelacy has been providing a unique service in the life of our people; which includes spiritual, educational and national services to name a few.
3. On July 1, 2022, H.H. Aram I., Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia blessed the Holy Muron, and today we have brought a portion of that Muron to Holy Cross Cathedral and blessed the water, in the presence of H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian and H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. By the blessing the water service, we beseeched the Lord to instill faith and strengthen the spirit of service to the faithful of Holy Cross Cathedral.
4. To talk about the church means to talk about the heavenly mission on earth. Because the driving force of the church is God Himself. In particular, when we talk about the Armenian Church, it means to talk about the vitality and strength of a nation at large. Today, more than ever, to keep our national and Christian identity, also our schools and our youth, we must rely on the spirit of the church.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate was led to the “Baghramian” hall, where he conducted the blessing of madagh, which was followed by a luncheon, where the Prelate handed acknowledgment letters to the following long-term devoted members of the Holy Cross Cathedral: Toros Khatchigian, Hovsep Gharibian, Kohar Toranian, Manig Ajemian, Vrejouhi Sarkissian and Silva Tchakian.
It is important to note that on Saturday, September 10, 2022, an evening vigil and blessing of incense and crosses was performed in the Cathedral.
