His Holiness Patriarch Sahak II, the Cadastral Patriarch, presided over the annual celebration of the Feriköy St. Vartanants Church on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
The Divine Liturgy was administered by Father Shirvan Murzyan. The Holy Table was served by Deacon Sayat Cinaryan, Deacon Armenak Kazanciyan and readers. Priest Hovagim Seropyan was also present at the service.
The hymns were sung by the Vartanants Choir under the direction of Sibil Arsenyan and accompanied by Lusi Kahvecioglu on the organ.
At the end of the service, His Holiness Patriarch gave a sermon. He first touched on the cross and the idea of the cross, then on the meaning of the day, the event of “the finding of the Holy Cross.”
His Holiness Patriarch then referred to the Feriköy St. Vartanants Church and the Merametciyan School. He stated that this church and school are the symbol of our community’s places of worship and schools. While a person’s soul and spiritual life are shaped in church, their mind is shaped by receiving education in school. Starting from these points, it becomes clear how important these two centers are for both individuals and society in terms of building the future. It will only be possible to transfer our values to future generations thanks to these two institutions. Therefore, their role is vital and should be like this for all of us.
Our Spiritual Leader congratulated the foundation board, school principal, church choir and conductor and wished them success in their duties.
At the end of the sermon, a prayer was said for the benefactors of the church who are sleeping in the Lord.
The service was broadcast live on the internet. https://youtu.be/FVatsFrgTvQ
At the end of the religious ceremonies, a love table was held in the Şirinoğlu hall of the church.