| Commemorative Activities: | St. Mary Armenian Church of Costa Mesa Commemorates Armenian Genocide Centennial with a Martyrs Monument
Hundreds attended the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa on Sunday, March 8, 2015. The day’s celebrant and homilist was His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
Archbishop Derderian was assisted at the Holy Altar by Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, Pastor of the host parish, Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale and the deacons of St. Mary Armenian Church.
In his sermon, the Primate reflected on the significance of Christ’s Parable of the Shrewd Steward. “Life is a stewardship and is God’s gift to humanity. We, created in His image, shall account for the gift bestowed upon us. It is our duty to live our lives according to the Word of God. Moreover, we shall be held accountable for our covenant with the Almighty. Throughout the course of our lives, we fill many positions for which we are held accountable. We must carry out these roles with honor and humility,” said His Eminence in part.
Archbishop Derderian also addressed the youth of the Sunday School encouraging them to become stewards of God’s most precious gift of life.
Following the service, the Primate led a procession to the church courtyard where hundreds had gathered for the blessing and dedication rite of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument. With the assistance of Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian and the church choir, Archbishop Derderian performed the moving ceremonial rite.
Grand benefactor of the Monument Mr. Garbis Arslanyan donated $100,000 in memory of his beloved wife Maryam Arslanyan, long time member of St. Mary Church and the Ladies Society. Additional funds for the sculpture were also raised by parishioners. It stands as a memorial to the 1.5 million martyrs who perished during the Armenian Genocide and as testament to the resurrected Armenian nation.
The sculpture features a pair of white marble pillars connected by a cross, set on a black granite base where a small fountain, flame and garden will eventually reside.
“The fountain and the flame and the black granite represent the memory of our tragic past and symbolize the life and immortality of the 1.5 million Armenians,” said Harout Joulahian, the monument’s sculptor. “And the white two pillars symbolize our new generation and the bright future. These two white pillars are attached with the cross, which symbolizes our ancestral Christian Faith,” he continued.
Following the consecration of the Memorial Monument, 100 white doves were released into the sky symbolizing the centennial of the Armenian Genocide and the Resurrection of the Armenian nation. In his ceremonial address, the Primate quoted the resounding words of the beloved Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak – “We are, we shall be and become many” (Menk gank, bidi linenk u ter shadanank).
The Church service was followed by sumptuous Luncheon served by the Ladies Guild of St. Mary. On this occasion a most generous donation of $100,000 by benefactor Mr. Garbis Arslanian was delivered, in memory of his departed wife, Maryam Arslanian, and for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Monument at St. Mary Armenian Church. |
| Notable Visitors: | Sunday, March 8, 2015, Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Honorable Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Orange County Supervisor The Honorable Michelle Steele, Orange County Former Supervisor John Moorlach and The Honorable Sandy L. Genis Councilwoman of the City of Costa Mesa, OC Superior Court Judges Honorable Andre Manssourian and Honorable Gassia Apkarian, State Assemblyman Matthew Harper, Mayor of City of Brea Honorable Marty Simonoff. Several proclamations were presented to St. Mary Church by the honorees. |
