On Wednesday, September 13, 2023. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, presided over a commemorative ceremony at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale, dedicated to life, legacy, and the 850th anniversary of the passing of the great patriarch St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali).
The ceremony was sponsored by Mr. Mher Der Ohannessian, Vice-Chair of the Executive Council and representative of the “Satig Der Ohanessian” fund. The ceremony was attended by Archbishops, Clergy, Executive Council members, Central Executive representatives, Armenian community representatives, artists, and friends. Over 400 attendees participated in the commemorative ceremony.
H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Director of “Cilicia Library Madenataran” of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia, who with the invitation of H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan is currently visiting the Western Prelacy, presented the keynote address. H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian with an insightful lecture presented a perspective on the historical, political, national, and legacy of the great patriarch St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) and the contribution and impact his work has had historically until present times.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Donoyan congratulated H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian for his eloquent keynote address and thanked him for his presence in Los Angeles. The Prelate highly commended Mr. Mher Der Ohannessian and his children, the sponsor of the event and community benefactor, who continue to keep the memory of their beloved wife and mother, Satig Der Ohanessian, alive within the Western Prelacy. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan also recognized the organizers of the event, the Western Prelacy staff, as well as Mr. Berj Karazian, renowned Armenian tenor, responsible for the event’s cultural program. A group of deacons and scribes (Suren Hazarian, Hovaness Balian, Toukhman Khatchadourian, and Vahagn Hovents) with the participation of Mr. Berj Karazian, accompanied by pianist Mrs. Armine Derderian, presented a slew of songs from the creative work of St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali).
Thereafter, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan invited Archbishops and Priests to the alter to collectively sing the hymn “Cilicia.” The church choir and those present also joined in singing “Cilicia” accompanied by pianist Ms. Derderian.
Following the singing of “Cilicia” H.G. Bishop Donoyan invited H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian who closed the ceremony with the “Protector” prayer immortalizing the glorious memory of the great patriarch St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) in the souls of those in attendance and thousands of Armenians following the ceremony virtually.
The closing remark was delivered by Seta Krikorian, editor of the Western Prelacy “Cililia” newsletter.
The first portion of the cultural program, Berj Karazian captivated the audience with the interpretation of the spiritual songs “Janabar” and “Nor Dzaghig.” After the soulful performance of the choir, he expressed his gratitude to H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Western Prelacy, St. Mary’s Armenian Church Board of Trustees, the sponsor of the ceremony, performers and musicians, for their initiative to eloquently organize a commemorative event dedicated to the 850th anniversary of the passing of the great patriarch St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali). H.G. Bishop Donoyan noted that in recent years we have witnessed the revival of similar eloquent events, programs, and concerts organized by the Western Prelacy.
On this occasion, the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America republished St. Nerses the Gracious (Shnorhali) most renowned work “In Faith I Confess” both in classic Armenian and English languages, which was distributed to the audience that filled St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church.
