CRESCENTA VALLEY, CA—On Sunday, March 28, Christians worldwide celebrated the entry of Jesus Chist into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Within the Western Prelacy, Palm Sunday was ceremoniously celebrated in all churches with Divine Liturgy, followed by the children’s procession, and concluding with the Opening of the Portals service.
At Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, who also delivered the sermon to the hundreds of faithful participating in the celebration. The Prelate was assisted at the altar by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian.
In his sermon the Prelate recounted the events leading up to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and His eventual entrance. Addressing the faithful, the Prelate rhetorically asked, “of the multitude that greeted our Lord Jesus Christ which group do we belong to?” He continued: “We belong to the group of true and faithful followers, those who truly accept Him and the salvation He offers,” said the Prelate. “As such, the message of Palm Sunday has great implications for us today.”
During the children’s procession, the Prelate descended the altar and was led in a procession to the courtyard where a large crowd of faithful, young and old, were waiting to kiss the cross and receive his blessings.
Upon returning to the altar, the Prelate conducted the Opening of the Portals service, symbolizing the second coming of Christ. The godfather of the cross was Daniel Yeghia Sarafian.
and the Diocese's churches did not celebrate Palm Sunday?