Celebrating the youth has become a winter tradition at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian established this tradition in February 2011 as he dedicated the last Sunday of the month of February to the Cathedral’s Junior Godfathers.
Communications
Department
Diocesan Youth Celebrate Junior Godfathers’ Day at St.
Leon Armenian Cathedral
Celebrating the youth has become a winter tradition at
St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
established this tradition in February 2011 as he dedicated the last Sunday of
the month of February to the Cathedral’s Junior Godfathers.
Hundreds of faithful had gathered at the Cathedral to
take part in the solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy on February 23, 2014.
With Abp. Vatche Hovsepian, Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Archpriest
Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Rev. Fr. Mikayel Kyureghyan participating in the service,
the day’s celebrant was Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian
Cathedral. The Primate presided over the service and delivered the day’s
homily.
Archbishop Derderian’s delivered the day’s message from
the Gospel according to St. John the Evangelist (John 7:37). “Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ conveys to us a divine message with the words ‘Let anyone
who is thirsty come to me and drinks. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has
said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’
Referring to the words of the Savior, the Primate said
“It is our duty as worshipers and followers of Christ to nourish our
spirituality as well as our physical bodies. By accepting Christ as our Lord
and Savior, we become bearers of His light. We are strengthened in our faith
through God’s Word. Let Christ’s divine light radiate in your lives through
selfless service and noble deeds.”
Following his sermon, the Primate called to the nave all
Junior Godfathers of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Close to 50 children sat at
the nave and attentively listened to the message of the Primate who encouraged
them to remain true to the teachings of Christ and to uphold the values of our
ancestral Christian faith.
The children led a processional to the “Oruncakciel Entrance”
for the unveiling ceremony of the names of 30 new Junior Godfathers. Archbishop
Derderian thanked the members of the Junior Godfathers Committee chaired by
Mrs. Alice Chakrian for diligent hard work year after year in organizing the
highly successful event. The children received blessings from the clergy and
after collectively reciting the Lord’s Prayer, they took part in the unveiling
of the new names.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the children gathered
at the Turpanjjian Plaza of the Western Diocese where they enjoyed a
cheeseburger lunch catered by In’N’Out and ice cream. The afternoon festivities
concluded with beautiful solo and group Armenian dances were performed by
Barekamutyun Dance Ensemble.
Yet another exciting and memorable chapter in the life of
the Diocese was written on Junior Godfathers Day 2014. Click here for more
photos.
Presently, St. Leon Armenian Cathedral has 260 Junior
Godfathers. The program presents a wonderful opportunity for children and the
youth to establish a connection with the Armenian Apostolic Church in a very
unique way!
Parents can give their children the tile of Junior
Godfather of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, a gift that lasts a lifetime. The
child’s name is engraved on the Pomegranate tree on the wall of St. Leon
Armenian Cathedral.
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