CASTAIC, Calif.,—By the blessing of Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Rev. Boghos Baltayan and Chaplain Rafi Garabedian visited Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, California. There, they conducted a special Easter service for Armenian inmates comprised of a special service and the blessing of water.
During the service, Chaplain Rafi conveyed the blessings and greetings of His Eminence and spoke to the inmates about the importance of repentance. Fr. Boghos delivered his sermon on the Easter message of love and hope and invited the young men to live their lives with the love of Christ, with humility, and with strong faith.
The inmates received Holy Communion, enjoyed a special reception, and received prayer books on behalf of the Prelate. At the conclusion of the visit, they expressed their gratitude for the spiritually uplifting day.
Well done! This is only one of the charitable acts our clergy should be involved in , according to the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”