Primate Visits St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland on Second Palm Sunday

Awards Hye Spirit Medals to Three Parishioners. According to the Armenian Church calendar, May 12, 2013 was observed as Second Palm Sunday (Yergrort Dzaghgazart). The seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday because of the readings on that day. Beginning with New Sunday and continuing until Pentecost, the Armenian Church reads from the four Gospels every day in their proper order. Luke is read in the morning; John at midday; Matthew at the beginning of the evening hour; and Mark at the end of the evening hour. The sections related to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem coincide with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the designation of “Second Palm Sunday.”

On Second Palm Sunday, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, paid a pastoral visit to St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, California where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. On the occasion of Mothers’ Day, the Primate conveyed his heartfelt message to all mothers. “Mother’s Day is a unique day in our prayerful life. On Mothers Day, we open our hearts and say a prayer of Thanksgiving for our mothers who gave birth to us and have helped us to open our eyes to the Light. To a child, nothing could be matched to a mother’s love. The Church is the institution which deepens in our hearts the understanding of the sacrificial life of a mother who shares God’s love with her children,” said His Eminence.

In recognition of their selfless services rendered to St. Vartan Armenian Church, parishioners Arshavir Azizian, Sonia Chilingirian and Digranuhi Garabedian were presented with the Diocesan “Hye Spirit” medal. Archbishop Derderian commended their dedication and encouraged them to continue to serve with renewed zeal and reaffirmed faith.

A reception followed the service at the church hall.

Western Diocese [info@armenianchurchwd.com]