On Sunday, February 9, the Diocesan Primate paid a pastoral visit to St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. During the service, with the assistance of Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, His Eminence ordained granted four minor orders of acolyte to George Tarakchian and Sergey Galoyan. Altar servers Sarkis Zhamgochian, Kevork Tarakchian and George Tarakchian were ordained as subdeacons. His Eminence also ordained Levon Chepkinian into the Diaconate.  The Primate congratulated and commended the newly ordained acolytes and deacon as well as the parish family, stating that it brings joy and pride to all seeing those who are eager to serve Christ, our Lord with dedication and zeal.

Praying for the Lord to bless and guide them in their service, His Eminence called upon the newly ordained to serve the Christ, our Lord and the Armenian Apostolic Church with faith, love, humility, devotion, and grace.

The traditional blessing of the madagh was also presided by the Primate with the assistance of Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, Pastor of the host parish.

In his sermon, Archbishop Derderian reiterated the importance of preserving our Christian identity. “In our homily on the Feast of the Nativity, we called upon the faithful to make the year 2020 the vision our identity. Throughout the year, we are entrusted with preserving our Christian identity through our noble deeds and our living faith. Devoting our lives to God, upholding our sacred values, striving for the good and the noble and envisioning a life of service is what comprises our identity,” said Archbishop Derderian in part.

Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, a volunteer appreciation luncheon was held in the Karagozian Hall of the Parish. Devout parishioners Dr. Ronald Sinanian, the organist of St. Peter Armenian Church and choir conductor Marguerite Zavian were honored for their selfless service rendered to St. Peter Armenian Church spanning over decades. Parish committee volunteers Noura Kazandjian, Margaret Lulejian, Rosine Atashian, Talin Keshishoghlian, Tilda Minassian, Yetvart Corluyan, Sarkis Zhamgochian, Devin Grigorian, Ardashes Derderian, Derik Ghookasian, Peter Corluyan, George Tarakchyan, and Arsineh Margosian were also recognized by Archbishop Derderian commended the honorees for their unrelenting commitment to service.