On Sunday, May 2, 2021, on the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the message at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
During his message, the Prelate announced that he appointed Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian as the new Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, who will serve with Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Torossian and Rev. Fr. Ardag Demirjian. The Prelate noted that Fr. Shannakian will fully invest his youthful vigor and energy in the service for the further beautification of the House of God.
Continuing his message, the Prelate expounded on the Apparition of the Holy Cross which was recorded in Jerusalem in the 4th century, and stated; “On the occasion of this feast, we are all invited to witness the radiant presence of the Cross, having faith, love and a connection towards our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to give light to the darkness, for God is light, and he who has God in his life must stay away from obscurity, because light and darkness cannot exist in unison, as sin and piety, blessings and curses. The Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross shows us the only way to our salvation, and seeks to warn us against the destructiveness of sin and the power of darkness” stressed the Prelate.
REV. FR. MOVSES SHANNAKIAN’S BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1983 in Anjar, Lebanon. He continued his higher education at the University of Toronto, and earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Neuroscience and Psychology (Honors B.Sc) in 2008.
In 2012 he earned his Masters of Divinity Degree (M. Div) from St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology, at the University of Toronto. In the same year, he relocated to Los Angeles and was employed at the Western Prelacy in the Christian Education Department. He also teaches religion at two of the Prelacy Armenian schools. He was ordained into the priesthood in 2017.
By the mutual decision of the Prelate and the Joint Assembly, Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian was appointed new pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale
