On Sunday, January 26, the Costa Mesa’s faithful community of St. Mary Armenian Church welcomed Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. On a pastoral visit, His Eminence was the day’s celebrant and homilist. The Solemn celebration saw the participation of the Khachadourian Choir, under the conductorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian. At the Holy Altar, His Eminence was assisted by Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian and the deacons of the host parish.

During the service, His Eminence honored Dn. Rupen Ozsogomonian, the director of St. Mary’s Hovsepian Choir. In recognition of his decades of selfless service rendered to the Armenian Apostolic Church, the long-time deacon and Choir Director was awarded the St. Nerses Shnorhali (Graceful) medal, a high honor granted by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch Catholicos of All Armenians. Conferring the medal upon Deacon Ozsogomonian, the Primate encouraged the Deacon to serve Christ, our Lord and the Armenian Apostolic Church with renewed love and humility. The Encyclical was read by Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian.

The Primate’s sermon focused on the Gospel according to St. John, the Evangelist (Chapter 3 Verse 16). “The world and all the beauties and the marvels within are created by God. We are graced by these marvels; however, we are not always cognizant to the truth, that God is the architect of the world. Often we fail to recognize the truth about God and the world. It is for this very reason God sent into the world His only Begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, buy may have everlasting life,” said the Primate in part.

Acknowledging and welcoming the presence of St. Mary’s Sunday School students, His Eminence encouraged and motivated the children to remain true to their Christian Faith and to the sacred traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “You are the future of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the torchbearers of your ancestral Christian Faith. It is your duty as loyal Christians to abide to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to live prayerful lives and to defend and safeguard your Church” said His Eminence addressing the children.

An Agape Meal, organized by the Hovsepian Choir, was held at the Fesjian Hall following the church service in honor of Dn. Ozsogomonian.  On the auspicious occasion, guests received a beautifully printed commemorative booklet which contained the Encyclical of H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the congratulatory messages of Diocesan Primate Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Pastor Arch. Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, Visiting Priest Arch. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, friends and fellow choir members.

The program commenced with the welcoming message of Deacon Hagop Zerounian, the Master of Ceremonies. Following the Primate’s Invocation, remarks were delivered by the Organizing Committee Chair Dn. Hrant Rakijian, Parish Council Chair Hovsep Begjian, Hovsepian Choir Chair Hilda Sakarya, Zvartnots Choir Member Nora Barin, Khachadourian Choir Chair Dr. Arto Ersan, Khachadourian Choir Director Dn. Stepan Gozumian and Pastor Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian.

The artistic portion of the program included vocal performances by Hovsepian Choir Soprano Ani Keropian, Hilda Sakarya, and Zvartnots Choir and the Hovsepian and Zvartnots Joint Choir.

In his remarks, the honoree expressed his gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Primate for the high honor and the Organizing Committee for their love and support. He reflected on his years of service and vowed to continue serving the Body of Christ with enduring affection.

His Eminence delivered the closing remarks wherein he once again reflected on Dn. Ozsogomonian’s relentless commitment to service and congratulated the honoree on the milestone. The Primate reminded the faithful that exemplary and wholehearted service is rendered solely for the glory of God.

Accompanied by Hovsepian and Khachadourian Choir members, the honoree took part in a cake-cutting ceremony marking Dn. Ozsogomonian’s service to the Armenian Church which spans over six decades years.