St. Vartan Cathedral Celebrates Christmas

Throughout the service, the angelic spiritual hymns sung by the St. Vartan Choir created an atmosphere of hope and underscored the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Blessing of the Water ceremony, a symbolic commemoration of the baptism of Christ, began with Bishop Daniel introducing Saro Hartounian as the Godfather of the Churorhnek. He described Hartounian’s coordination and funding of countless philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors benefitting the global Armenian community.

Most recently, Saro, along his wife, Hilda, three children and brother, have provided food, shelter and medical relief to the needy who were displaced and are suffering in Armenia and Artsakh as a result of the tragic conflict and injustice recently in that region.

“Being selected as Godfather of this ceremony is a humbling honor for me, and today I am again reborn in the Christian faith that plays such an important role in our Armenian identity,” said Hartounian with humility, during an interview after the service.

“I am one member of a very large group of selfless people in the Armenian diaspora whose collective efforts help our brethren in dire need. This recognition belongs to all of them.”

Hartounian spoke about his lifelong connection to the Armenian Church, which has been passed to him through generations. “My grandfather built an Armenian church in Haleb (Syria), and my father was very involved in the church. My involvement in the church is a continuation of their history, and now my children are carrying that legacy forward,” he said.