On 27 December 2020, on the commemoration of St Stephen, which is associated with Deacon’s Day, six new deacons were ordained at the Church of Holy Resurrection by His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian.
We congratulate our newly ordained deacons - Sako Askanian, Raffi Jebejian, Boghos Keleshian, Vartan Keoshgerian, George Najarian, Krikor Setrakian - who have been serving on the church altar together for a number of years. We pray for God’s blessings to always be with them as they each serve the church for many more years to come.
On Friday 1 January 2021, Archbishop Najarian celebrated the Divine Liturgy as well as the Thanksgiving Prayer to welcome in the New Year with the Blessing of Pomegranates.
In Christian symbolism, the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, also symbolising the Lord’s Glorious Resurrection and the diversity of God’s graces. In the Armenian Church, the pomegranate also depicts, like its seeds, the numerous and various Church members, covered with a solid outer layer, being united into one Church.
On 5 January 2021, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Jrakalouyts Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the candles service) was celebrated by Reverend Father Avetis Hambardzumyan heralding the revelation:
Քրիստոս Ծնաւ եւ Յայտնեցաւ
Ձեզի Մեզի Մեծ Աւետի
Kristos Dzenav yev Haydnetsav
Tsezi Mezi Medz Avedis
Christ is Born and Revealed
Good News to You and Us!
Celebrating the Good News
An Episcopal Divine Liturgy commemorating the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ took place on Wednesday 6 January with Archbishop Najarian the celebrant and homilist for the occasion. The Blessing of Water service followed with the Archbishop immersing a large cross into the water basin symbolising the baptism of Jesus and pouring in the Holy Chrism (Muron) from a dove shaped silver container representing the revelation of the Son of God. The Godfather of the cross was young Sunday school student, Sarkis Zilifian.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Enjoying Peace in God‘s Presence
Having a teachable heart allows us to be eager to want to evolve. This is what God asks of us.
When the focus of our thoughts in life is on God, spending time in His Word and observing time for prayer each day is transforming by the renewal of our minds.
There is a healing presence by spending time with God daily. Our minds are often so cluttered with the day’s plans, ambitions and problems that can be overwhelming, they jump ahead of us. It’s at these times especially when bringing our mind back to God brings refreshment and peace.
A look out into the beauty of nature or up to a cloud in the blue sky can bring the Light of God’s Presence back into focus in our lives as a reminder of God’s love and plan for His children.
