PRELATE INVOKES SPIRIT OF HAYK AND NZHDEH IN ADDRESS TO AYF OLYMPIANS

On Sunday, August 31, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, participated in the Divine Liturgy at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Pastor, was the celebrant. 

In his sermon, His Eminence reflected on the day’s reading from Mark 4:35-41, which narrates Christ’s miraculous calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The Prelate updated the message of this passage, saying that the Fathers of the Church have compared life to the sea—sometimes calm, sometimes stormy. All those who, like the apostles, when they rely solely on their personal knowledge and experience, come to a moment when they feel powerless before the unexpected and violent storms in life. But when they appeal to God, He is always ready to guide the ship of our life to a calm port. 

Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Anoushavan was joined by Very Rev. Fr. Hrant in visiting Waltham, which was hosting the 91st AYF Olympic Games from August 28 to September 1. He addressed the athletes and the public during the official opening ceremony. 

“We are gathered here to renew our vows of unity and identity, commitment and mission, beyond the sports and social events,” said His Eminence. “Indeed, notwithstanding our dispersion throughout the world—from California to Boston, and Australia, which has sent a delegation of athletes—we are the sons and daughters of one and the same nation. The awareness of freedom and pride emanating from Hayk’s arrow runs in our veins, and hence Garegin Nzhdeh’s spirit of commitment and mission.” 

In his closing remarks, the Prelate wished that the participants and the public would always attain their goals with a sportsmanlike spirit, both in their private and collective life, in the pursuit of success and goodness. 

On Thursday, September 4, Archbishop Anoushavan received the visit of two of the athletes from Australia, Roupen Terzian and Hrant Boujikian. The conversation focused on the Armenian community down under.