Upon the joint decision of Hon. Armen Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, and Catholicoi H.H. Karekin II. and H.H. Aram I., November 22, 2020 was announced as “Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers of Artsakh.” Stemming from this decision, under the auspices of H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, on Sunday November 22, 2020, all Prelacy Churches held a special requiem service for the souls of the fallen soldiers during the war in Artsakh, and “Lord have mercy” was sung for the safety of Armenia and Artsakh. The Prelate presided over the Divine Liturgy, delivered his sermon and conducted the requiem service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
During the sermon, the Prelate stated, “Just as the soldiers in Artsakh gave their all to protect their homeland and the safety of future generations to live in peace, the wealthy should offer to those who are less fortunate, because through those offerings they will receive God’s graces.” Thereafter, the Prelate coupled the daily reading – the Parable of the Rich Fool – into his sermon, saying, “We should be great stewards of what God has given us, and offer them to the less fortunate – especially to those who are going through difficulties in Artsakh – because we become rich by giving, and we lose our wealth when we store our riches here on earth.”
The second part of the sermon focused on the Parable of Jesus feeding the five thousand. “As the disciples were thinking of purchasing food to feed the masses, Jesus performed the miracle and satisfied the hunger.’ ‘Miracles are above all things that money can buy, because God is omnipotent,’” stressed the Prelate.
In conclusion, he stated “Blessed are those who have the means to donate during the upcoming Thanksgiving telethon on Thursday, November 26, 2020, and they should donate to the needs of the less fortunate in Armenia, Artsakh, Lebanon and beyond, because God will bless them many fold. Let us all give for the glory of God.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, conducted a special requiem service for the fallen soldiers, in front of the cross-stone dedicated for the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Clergy members, Central Committee member Mr. Gaidzag Zetlian, Vice-Chair of the Executive Council Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian and members of the Executive Council, members of St. Mary’s Church Board of Trustees, Deacons and Choir were present during the requiem service.