PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America
H.G. Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
4401 Russell Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tel: 818-248-7737/8
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
On Holy Tuesday
THE FAITHFUL MUST ALWAYS BE READY
AS THE FIVE WISE MAIDENS WERE
DECLARED THE PRELATE
According to the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church, during the week
proceeding Easter, Holy Week, evening services take place every night
remembering the last days of Christ’s life and messages. Some days of the
week are dedicated to the Last Supper, Crucifixion, Burial, and Glorious
Resurrection, while others are dedicated to messages He conveyed to the
faithful through parables.
On Holy Tuesday, special services took place in all of our
churches remembering the parable of the Ten Maidens. His Eminence
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over services at St.
Sarkis Church in Pasadena, where he spoke about the message of the parable
of the Ten Maidens. In attendance were Executive Council members, St.
Sarkis Church delegates, Board of Trustees, and a large number of
parishioners.
The Prelate noted that Jesus often conveyed His message to His
disciples and followers through parables, one of which is the parable of the
Ten Maidens. On this day, we remember the maidens who were on their way to
a wedding. Five of the maidens took extra oil with them for their lamps,
while the other five did not. While waiting for the groom, who was delayed,
the maidens’ lamps burned out. The five who had not taken extra oil with
them missed the opportunity to welcome the groom for they had gone to
purchase more oil. With this parable, Christ gives us the message that we
must always be prepared to welcome the groom as the five wise maidens were,
and not to be short sighted like the other five. The Prelate concluded that
Christians should live their lives in such a manner that they are prepared
at any given time to greet the groom, which symbolizes the second coming of
Christ. He also Prayed that the Lord grant us agility and alertness,
brighten the lamps of our souls and save us from the evil.
Following the service, the Prelate and Rev. Khoren Babouchian,
Pastor, presented silver crosses to the ten young girls, who symbolized the
Ten Maidens during the ceremony, as an appreciation for their devotion and
service to the church.