Dear Friends,

On the occasion of the great feast of our Lord Jesus’ Transfiguration (Armenian – Baydzaragerbootyoon or Aylagerbootyoon), I pray that He transfigure each and every one of us by the unapproachable light of His glory. This feast above all things attests to the truth that Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human – which is a theological necessity for our salvation to be possible and complete. Also, the authoritative voice of God the Father reminds us that we must “listen to Him” i.e. the eternal Son of God.

This day I am blessed to celebrate Vartavar in my former parish of St. Gregory of Narek in Cleveland, Ohio. At the same time I bid a warm welcome to Providence to my brother in Christ, Father Martiros Hagobyan. May the Lord grant him many fruitful years in his apostolic mission in the vineyard of the Armenian Church!

Congratulations and best wishes to Der Martiros and Yeretsgin Hasmik on the baptism of their new born son, Jirayr!

May the blessings of our Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor be with you all.       

+ + + + +

With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
June 29, 2008