Dear Friends,

“That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight...”

Dear Friends,

The above quote from the beginning of the Old Testament book of Proverbs was the very first to be translated and written with the newly created Armenian alphabet. One of the patron saints of our church, St. Mesrob, was responsible, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for this great creation. Our other patron, St. Sahag, was the Catholicos at the time, who encouraged and labored with St. Mesrob and his disciples in accomplishing the mammoth task of translating the Holy Bible into Armenian at the beginning of the fifth century.

Yesterday, the Armenian Church throughout the world celebrated the Feast of the Holy Translators. Today, our parish consecrated in the name of the Holy Translators celebrates her name day. This is indeed a day of great rejoicing and offering thanks to our heavenly Father for the gift of our church in Providence. On this occasion we rededicate ourselves to supporting and encouraging the growth of our parish family with a spirit of love, forgiveness, toleration and inclusiveness.

Many of us were present in the Boston area last weekend to receive the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Through his presence and various messages we were reminded of the universal character of the Armenian Church. In addition, to our unique precious spiritual traditions, the pure Armenian language presevered in our Divine Liturgy spiritually links us with our Armenian brothers and sisters everywhere.

Through the prayers of the Holy Translators, may the Lord hear our prayers and save us. Amen.

If a people progresses, it takes its first steps from the family home;
If illuminated, its light derives from the family lamp;
If united, its spirit and bond is the family;
If empowered, its strength and arm is the family;
If it prospers, its treasury and treasurer is the family;
If a people wants to inherit heaven after earth by keeping its religion, faith and church, then, yes, the altar that maintains these holy traditions incorruptible and whole is the family.
— Catholicos Khrimian Hayrig (1820-1907)

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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
October 14, 2007