PRELATE REFLECTS ON THREE-FOLD CELEBRATION IN MARYLAND

On Sunday, September 22, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Primate, participated in the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church (Bethesda, Maryland). The celebrant was Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Pastor. Before the Lord’s Prayer, the ceremony of the Blessing of the Republic of Armenia was held, and the flags of Armenia and Artsakh were blessed, which were presented at the altar by the scouts of Homenetmen.  

The Prelate, referring to a portion of the epistle reading, in which Apostle Paul humbled himself to elevate the believers of Corinth by sharing with them the good tidings of the Gospel, said that it was vital in our personal, family, community, but especially national life, to elevate one another by sharing the blessings given to us by God, particularly in this fateful period of history. Last Sunday, which fell between the feasts of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Holy Cross of Varak as well as the 33rd anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence, it was imperative, Archbishop Anoushavan said, for us to literally live the spirit of the Cross, through which the infinite divine love and sacrifice was expressed, so that we may preserve the irreplaceable gift given to us—the freedom of the homeland—as the guarantee of our identity and the evidence of our unique position in the great family of nations. 

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence attended the food festival organized with the assistance of the Church Ladies’ Guild and associated bodies, as well as sister organizations, praising everyone’s unwavering dedication and commitment to the prosperity of the church.  

It was remarkable that, alongside community members, locals with no Armenian connection also came to enjoy the Armenian dishes, delicacies, and sweets during this three-day event.