Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Parish of Yettem on July 15, 2012, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Vartavar.) It coincided with the 32nd anniversary of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian’s “Antranig” Badarak (1st celebrated Divine Liturgy) following his 40-day seclusion upon being ordained a priest.
Serving at the altar were Deacon Allan Yeghia Jendian, Sub-Deacons Alan Farsakian, David Yahnian, John Yaldezian III, Stolebearer Kevin Yahnian and Acolyte Andrew Hagopian. The choir was lead by Carolyn Mikaelian, accompanied on the organ by Deacon Randy Tellalian. During the service, the Primate also publically acknowledged Deacon Allan Yeghia Jendian’s years of service at St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem and his 50 years of devout service to the Armenian Church as a whole.
The Primate planned his visit to present the Hye Spirit Award to two dedicated members of the Yettem Parish, Sam Farsakian and Sub-deacon David Yahnian. The Hye Spirit Award recipients were nominated by the Parish Council of St. Mary, Yettem. Present at the service and presentation was the parish priest, Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian, who is recuperating from surgery. A fellowship in honor of the Primate was sponsored by the Ladies Society.
