The second Sunday following the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Sunday of the World Church, also known as “Green Sunday.” It commemorates the first Church of Jerusalem established by Jesus Christ. According to Archbishop Malachia Ormanian (Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, “Green” Sunday is linked with the awakening of nature in the springtime. On “Green Sunday,” April 14, 2013, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid a pastoral visit to St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco.
As the day’s celebrant and homilist, the Primate granted the four minor orders of Acolyte to Alex Kouyoumjian, Nicolas James and Paul Israelyan and ordained Nshan Kesecker as a Sub-deacon. He congratulated the altar servers and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their Christian faith and to uphold the sacred traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church as loyal servants of Christ, our Lord.
The Primate’s sermon was chosen from Chapter 3 from the Gospel according to St. John, the Evangelist. Addressing to the congregation, Archbishop Derderian encouraged the faithful to be “born anew” in Christ and with their noble deeds, to become living Gospels themselves.
His Eminence commended the stellar work St. John Sunday School Superintendent Paula Boghossian. “You have been entrusted with a most noble mission namely to instill the divine love of Christ, our Savior in the hearts of the Sunday School students. We pray that God grant you a long and healthy life in your God-honoring endeavor,” said His Eminence in his remarks.
At the conclusion of the service, the Primate commended the valuable service and congratulated the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of the host parish on his first anniversary of ordination to the sacred order of the Priesthood. He encouraged Fr. Mesrop serve with renewed vigor and to continue his pastoral mission of leading the flock of Christ to righteousness.
A reception followed the service at the church hall. During the luncheon, the Sunday School band and the choir under the direction of Mr. Tommy Kesecker performed two Armenian Folk songs, Hingalla and Ayp, Pen, Kim and received raucous applause from the parishioners. The Primate thanked Dr. Vahram Biricik, Stewardship Committee Chair of the Western Diocese, for his kind presence. In a brief presentation, Dr. Biricik introduced the mission of the Stewardship Program namely the preparation of future clergy of the Diocese. He stressed the importance of the program and noted that it ensures the livelihood of the Armenian Apostolic Church by training and educating enthusiastic young men to lead the flock of Christ.
In recognition of their selfless service rendered to St. John Armenian Church, parishioners Arlene Barber, Helen Manougian, Mary Hokigyan, Mitzi Jardarian and Isabelle Doukouzian were honored with the Diocesan Hye Spirit award. Fr. Mesrop introduced each recipient, thanking for them for their years of sacrifice, and His Eminence presented each with the coveted medal. In conclusion the Primate praised each awardee for their invaluable contribution.
