First Ever Ecumenical Prayer Service Held at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

Published on Dec 10 2010 by Divan of the Diocese

On December 7, 2010, the Primate presided over the first ever Ecumenical Prayer Service at the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

Diocesan clergy including His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Archpriest Frs. Arshag Khatchadourian, Sipan Mekhsian, Nareg Matarian and Rev. Frs. Khajag Shahbazyan and Haroutioun Tachejian participated in the prayer service.

At 6:30 p.m., the Ecumenical guests gathered at the Armen and Gloria Hampar Reception Room where the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, coordinator of the prayer service extended his appreciation to all who graciously accepted the invitation to participate. The Ecumenical guests also posed for a memorable group photo.

The Primate, accompanied by the Diocesan clergy, Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Rev. George Taweel representing Bishop Joseph of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, Fr. Angelos Youseef representing His Grace Bishop Serapion of the Coptic Diocese of Los Angeles, Rabbi Mark Diamond, Executive Vice President of the Board of Rabbis, Pastor Ray Kibler III, Chairman of the Faith and Order Commission, Rev. Fr. Armenag Bedrosian of the Armenian Catholic Church, Pastor Paul Lance representing Conference Minister Rev. Felix Villanueva of the United Church of Christ, Mr. Ken Ellis representing Bishop Mary Ann Swenson of the United Methodist Church, Pastor Kenny Bowen, President of the Southern California Ecumenical Council, Bishop Dean Nelson of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, representing His Eminence Cardinal Roger Mahony, Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, President of the Guibord Center for Religion, Rev. Al Cohen, Executive Director of the Southern California Ecumenical Council, Rev. Sally Welsh of the United Church of Christ, Br. Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, Rev. Joseph Shore-Goss of the Metropolitan Community Church, Rabbi Alan Henkin, Regional Director of Pacific Southwest District – Union for Reform Judaism, Mr. Denis McGrath of the Faith and Order Commission, and members of the Catholic Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem led a procession into the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral for the historic and significant prayer service.

Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles His Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian, Los Angeles County Board Supervisor the Honorable Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles City Controller the Honorable Wendy Greuel, Rita Hadjimanoukian representing Los Angeles County Board Supervisor the Honorable Michael Antonovich, Mary Hovagimian representing the Honorable Congressman Adam Schiff and Christine Aghakhanian representing California State Assemblyman the Honorable Mike Gatto, Grand Benefactors Dr. Aramais Paronyan, his mother Mrs. Roza Paronyan and his wife Mrs. Natella Lalabekyan-Paronyan were also present at the memorable prayer service.

“‘I welcome you all to the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and Headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Western Diocese. Tonight’s ecumenical prayer service is the first of its kind which we host in this newly-constructed and consecrated Cathedral, with the participation of the clergy of Sister Churches and representatives of religious denominations.

Prayer is the most fulfilling spiritual action in the life of any person. A life filled with prayer ultimately leads to God. Praying together has a divine impact in the life of society. We give thanks to God for blessing us, bringing us together to praise the name of the Lord and to pray for one another. And the continuity of the prayerful life crystallizes within us the image of God, thus helping us to better understand the mission of life as the most precious gift from God,'” said the Primate in his welcoming message.

The Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith delivered the spiritual message. The Choir under the direction of Maestro Gomidas Keshishian performed the hymns “Holy, Holy” (Soorp, Soorp), “Amen. The Father is Holy” (Amen. Hayr Soorp) and “New Flower” (Nor Dzaghig).

Rev. Al Cohen read from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 28:10-18). The Rev. Sally Welsh read from the Epistle to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:19-22). Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian read from the Gospel according to St. John (John 4:19-24) in Armenian and Bishop Dean Nelson read it in English. Bishop Jon Bruno, Fr. Angelos and Fr. George Taweel, Pastor Paul Lance and the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith offered prayers in different languages.

At the conclusion of the Ecumenical Prayer Service, a Requiem Service (Hokehankist) was held for the soul of Levon Paronyan, father of Dr. Aramais Paronyan, Grand Benefactor of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. The Choir sang the hymn “Have Mercy, O Lord” (Kta Der). The Primate announced that the Ecumenical Prayer Service will become a tradition in the Western Diocese. Every year, the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral will welcome Ecumenical guests for the special prayer service and will pray for the soul of Levon Paronyan.

The Choir performed the “Lord’s Prayer” (Hayr Mer) and the hymn “O Resurrected Lord” (Ov Bardisban). An exiting procession led by the Primate followed. The guests were treated to a reception at the Paul Brothers Galleria. The Primate expressed his gratitude to Araxie Boyamian, Houry Boghosian, Shoushan Akpulat, Talin Simonian, Sybille Aginian, Aida Sethian, Aida Eskijian, Sevan Kalendarian, Margaret Mgrublian, Salpi Mankerian, Ani Minasian, Talin Berksanlar and Nairi Balian for the wonderful reception. He also expressed his gratitude to Mestro Gomidas Keshishian and the members of the Choir for their excellent performance of the hymns.