LA CRESCANTA–On Sunday, May 25, the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin as well as the 90th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia was celebrated in all Prelacy churches with thanksgiving prayers for the Republic and the blessing of the Armenian flag.
Western Prelate. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian presided over Divine Liturgy and thanksgiving prayers for the Republic at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County, and conducted the blessing of the flag ceremony. Eastern Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan also participated in the Liturgy.
The ceremony began with Homenetmen’scouts carrying the Armenian, American, Artsakh, and Homenetmen flags into the church, accompanied by the singing of hymns. Following the offering of prayers and thanksgiving, the Prelate blessed the Armenian flag and offered his well wishes to the Republic of Armenia including the Parliament, military, and the citizens.
In his message, which was read in all Prelacy churches, the Prelate spoke of the spirit of our struggle, stressing that the history of the Armenian people has been a struggle for the truth, for our faith, for freedom, and for our survival. This same struggle resumed with new heroes and new triumphs during the liberation of Artsakh, the 20th anniversary of which was celebrated this year, said the Prelate. The Prelate concluded that if we lose the spirit of May 28, we risk losing our homeland, our nation, and our existence.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate presided over the requiem service during which prayers were offered for those who lost their lives fighting at Sardarabad, Pash Abaran, Gharakilise, and in all the battles for independence in 1918, as well as in Artsakh.
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